The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-10-29
Mystery of Mont Cenis.


line was explored, the tunnels were
searched and the embankments care
fully surveyed, but there was no trace
to be found of any accident. No dead
body, no stain of blood, no shred of
clothing could be discovered to tell It's
own tale. Edmund Justican, II that
were his name, seemed to have van
,shod as completely as II he had been
denlzen of another world.
For some time | continued to take
an interest In the strange disappear
ancc Of the traveller, as did the rest
of the world for the papers were full
Uf the mystery. Other sensations pre-
oented themselves. however, and tho
Justican disappearance was forgotten
] made up my mind at last that |
should never know the sequel of the
strangers story and that his jlsap-
pearance was one of the mysteries of
life which are never explained.
When | was next In the south OF
France. some three years later, had
almost forgotten the occurrence. and |
was only reminded of Il by means of
the evil chance which caused me to
miss a train and have to wait for few
hours at Culoz.
Well. as this place is known by
name don't think that IL has many
foreign visitors. and. as had some
hours to wait, strolled through the
village, admirlng the quaint green pot
terry which saw in the little shops,
and wondering whether had time to
attain the heights on which the great
chateau was built or to explore the re-
cesses of its park.
As | strolled past the house and up
one of the green lanes. which were
suggestive OF England rather than of
southern France, came across pret-
~ little scene OF domestic felicity.
There was a tiny red house built In
Fronch fashion, with its back TO tho
view, surrounded by n garden full OF
roses and other sweet smelling flowers,
with a pot OF herbs behind and little
enclosure of land. evidently well titled.
Everything about the place breathed
of humble prosperity.
There were great beehives I'm cor
ner Of the garden, and dovecote on
sat a pretty, dark-eyed young wo-
man in peasant dress, who was at that
very moment lifting up n black eyed
child of about two years old, in its
queer blue blouse and black cap, to be
kissed by man who wore the sabots
and blue blouse of French laborer;
but who, as | noted Immediately mad
curiously fair hair, and looked very un-
like the ordinary Frenchman.
There was a still smaller child in a
wooden cradle at the door, and the
| young woman pointed to It reproach-
fully, as much as to say that her hus-
band had not given sufficient attention
to the little one, whereupon with a
laugh the man stopped over the cradle
and at that moment | caught sight of
| his face.
| held my breath and stared in blank
amaze. for the fair haired man in the
peasant dress was none other than Ed
mund Justican.
| stood outside the hedge still star
ing, when tho woman at the door
caught sight of me and said some
thing to her husband. He looked
around at me and paled suddenly
Then he put his finger to his lips as II
to beg me to keep silence, transferred
the child to its mothers arms, ant
walked slowly down the garden patl
to the gate, looking steadily at me al
the time.
Monsieur wants something?" he
asked in French, or rather in the patoi.
OF the district. which is generally diff
cult for an Englishman to acquire.
was too much taken aback to answer
in anything but English.
rs 1t you, after all?" said. Don
you remember me? vas an old &C
quaintance of yours"
81 have no acquaintance with mon
sieur." said the man, looking me quit
calmly in the face. But the more oh
served him the certain l becam
that he was the vanished Justican.
Perhaps you don't know me b.
name" l went on bluntly, but yo
|
gether at Venice, that we visited tn
Pitt Palace in Florence together, an
that we were travelling in the sam
compartment on the journey from Tul
in, when you so mysteriously iisaI
feared? | do not come as an enem,
Mr.. Edmund Justican, and have n
wish to inquire into your secrets, bu
you must allow me to express my pie,
sure in seeing you alive and WELL"
} noticed that the color came back t
, his face as spoke, and at the en-
} he smiled slightly and lifted his cal
IF you will promise me not to b,
tray my secret" he said, speaking EN-
: lish-how well remembered his r.
! fined and languid accents-"I will M
I refuse myself the pleasure of conver
ing few moments with a countryma
of my own. You are tho first America
, | have spoken to for three years, bl
Z | shall be glad of your kind assurant
3 that you will give no account of yol