The Washington times., 1902-09-07

1
through celestial regions forever, bear
ing in my breast an unquenchable Goa
of fire.
The moon played tricks, for now sh
that confusing wilderness of vapor.
Madame" said to my companion
why have you been persuaded to g
back to France?"
She drew deep breath.
Il have not been persuaded. hav,
been forced by circumstances. Paul.
future is everything"
you said you would rather make hin
a woodchopper than suppliant to the
Bonapartes.'
Il would. But his rights are to bt
considered first. He has some smai
chance of regainfng his inheritance
through the influence of Count de Chau.
mont now. Hereafter there ma. be nc
chance. You know the fortunes and
lands of all emigres were forfeited to
the state. Ours have finally reached the
hands of one of Napoleon's officers. !
do not know what will be done. only
know that Paul must never have cause
to reproach me-"
I was obliged to do my duty in my
place as she was doing hes duty in hers.
but wished the boat would sink, and so
end all journeys to France. 1t touched
shore. on the contrary, and I grasped a
rock which jutted toward us. 1t might
be the point Of an island, It might be
the eastern land. as / was Inclined to
believe. for the moon was over our right
shoulders
Probing along with the oar. found a
cove and shallow bottom. and there
beached our craft with a great shove.
How good the earth feels underfoot," /"
said Madame de Ferrier. We were both
stiff l drew the boats where they could
not be fioated away, and we turned our
faces to the unknown. I took her un-
resisting arm to guide her. and she de-
pended upon me.
This day i look back at those young
figures cropping through cloud as at dis
embodied and blessed spirits. The mans
irtensest tenderness, restrained by his
and his awe of the supple.
delicate shape at his SHE, was put forth
only in her service. They walked against
bushes. He broke stick, and witt, ii
probed every yard of the ascent which
they were obliged to make. Helping his
companion from bush to log, from seam
to seam of the river slope, from ledge
to ledge. he brought her to a level of
high forest. where the fog was thinner
and branches interlaced across their
faces.
The climb made Madame de Ferrier
draw her breath quickly She laughed
when We ended it. Though 1 knew the
shores as we'll as a hunter, it was i'm
possible to recognize any landmark. The
trees. the moss and forest sponge under
our feet, the very rocks, were changed
by that weird medium. And when the
fog opened and we walked as through
an endless tunnel OF gray revolving
stone. 1t was into world that never ex-
sted before and would never exist
again.
There was no path. Creeping under
and climbing over obstacles, sometimes
enclosed by the whiteness of steam,
sometimes walking briskly across light
ed spaces. We reached a gorge smoking
n ha Ioyr IN, he
Vapor played all its freaks
on that brink. The edge had been sharp
ly defined. But the fog shut around Us
like a curtain, and We dared not STIR
Below medallion shaped rift widened
out. and showed us a scene as I have
since beheld such things appear upon
he stage. Within the round. changing
rame of wispy vapor two men sat by
4 fire of logs and branches. We could
smell wood smoke and hear tie branches
'rackle. convincing us the vision was
eal. Behind them stood cabin almost
IS rude as my shelter on the island.
One man was a grand fellow, not at
Ill of the common order, though he was
more plainly clothed than De Chaumont.
His face was so familiar that / almost
,rasped recognition-but missed it. The
whole cast was full and aquiline, and
he lobe of his ear, as / noticed when
light fell on his profile, sat close to his
head like mine.
The other man worked his :eet upon
he treadle of a small wheel. which re-
olved like circular table in front of
i'm, and on this he deftly touched
omething which appeared to be an |
arthenware vessel. His thin fingers |
noved with spider swiftness. and shaped
t with kind of magic. He was NAL
ooking person. with an air of being !
driven by inner force He |
'ore mustaches the like of which / |
ad never seen, carried back over his !
ars: and these hairy devices seemed to
plit his countenance in two crosswise.
Some broken pottery lay on ths
round. and few vessels. colored and
istrous so they shone in the freight,
TODD on a stump near him.
The hollow was not deep one. but
the men had been talking, their
oices did not reach us until the cur
ain parted.
You are great fool or great ras-
al. or both. Bellenger," the superior
ian said.
Most people are, your highaess." re-
ponded the one at the wheel. He kept /
going, as If his earthenware was of
lore Importance than the talk