New-York tribune., 1903-04-12

comes but you try to dazzle him: not man
comes but you are displeased II ne Is I". ha nv
and shame your delcacy and refinement by
those indiscriminate affairs. You are unworthy
Of the affection of a straightforward and hon
orabe man. and 1 count it a great misfortune
to myself to have met and loved you"
Leslie listened with scarlet cheeks to this IN
dictment of her conduct Her softer mood gave
way to a furious anger. AHronted to the quick,
humiated, degraded in her own eyes by these
unexpected accusations, she scorned to make the
least reply or to attempt In any way TO oeIeho
herself. With her head in the air and her heart
beating until it almost burst. she mantalned
an unbroken silence, while de Broussard, the
picture of detection, kept step beside her ana
stared hopelessly before him. In this manner
without so much a single word passing be
tween them, they walked the three miles that
divided them from Morny and arrived at last at
the inn, where, with stiff bow on either SIDE,
they separated each in the belief that it was
for ever.
They were not. it appeared later. the only
ones of the inn company who had been fated
that day to undergo unusual experiences. Girls
void. HaIdane, Cooper and Stanton. spending
the afternoon at Nemours, thought TO move
public opinion In the right direction by stagger-
ing in arm down the main street, shouting,
.'Vive Dreyfus!" at the top of their voices Ihe
effect of this on Nemours was unprecedented.
Its infuriated citizens hurrying out of restau-
rants and brasseries and bearing the nearest
weapons that came to hand-a carafe, chiir,
broom handle, the nearest bottie-proceedeu
to engulf the painters in a mob so reSent!ul
and ferocious that it took the entire police
force, reinforced by the pOnplerS, 10 restore TIE
merest semblance Of order Even then, so
volcanic was the temper of the populace that
the painters were iinnured IN a WnlIeN <tsieu dt
dungeon for several hours, and had their hurtS
dressed by the municipal surgeon, while thelr
names chest measurements, nationality, length
Of noses height, width between the eyes. color
of compiexion shape of chin weight and moleS
Gf any) were entered in a Bertillon register
while all Nemours beat against the bars and
shouted for their blood. At dusk they were IN
gloriously returned under escort to tell at the
dinner table the story of their wrongs anu 20
show, amid universal sympathy the pahdaSeu
wounds so honorably won III the cause VI JUS
tiCe. ,
At first out of Difference for de Broussard. the
four heroes showed some moderation IN tnelf
remarks Cooper went far as to ADMIT the
possible unwisdom of their action, and with his
eyes on the engineer paid perfunctory compil-
1nent TO the exertions Of the police. But as the
dinner proceeded and bottles began to empty,
the matter gradually assumed an international
importance, and the French in general were un-
sparfngly abused Fleets were talked of; the
days of 20 were gloatingly recalled; there were
threats of outraged ambassadors leaving thelr
outraged posts.
'tFrancei' vociferated Grswold. in the voice
of a bull France: nation OF cowaros!
France: a nation Of degenerates! France; cank-
cred with corruption sapped with habsinthe,
perishing in the thrOes of hinfamous vices.
France: bad heart bad books, bad plays bad
women, There in four words is this parah of
the nations where one can--ot so much as cry
'Vive Dreyfusr in market town without caus-
Griswold wiped his black eye with his napkin,
swallowed another gla7s of wine, and con-
tinued-
Did YOU ever know a Frenchman who was
halfway honest? Did you ever know trench
woman'-
Before he could finish de Broussard rose quiet
~ from his chair and raped warningly with
his hand against the table. There was an in
slant silence. Griswod, tipsy and defiant,
sIared at the engineer, and squared his brawny
shoulders.
Monsieur Griswod" said de Broussard,
coolly and softly, might | remind you there IS a
Frenchnan sitting in your midst?"
Wei. it's the truth Griswold blurted out
will YOU not, then, withdraw those very or
fensive remarks about my country demanded
the engineer.
No" said GrsWOd.
Nor apOlOgiZe?" continued de BrouSSard
NO fear" said GrieWOld.
De BrousSard looked about the table.
4 have been among you here for nearly three
months" he said addressing the whole com
pany Il cannot recall that | have ever been
neglected or at fault in any of the petty amenl-
ties of intercourse; l have always comported
myself | believe. as BELTS a gentleman ana
man Cf honor | think 10 one, not even MI
Griswoil could accuse me of an undue readl-
ness to take offence.
He stopped looked round the table again, and
waited apparently for answer
.'Of course, L cannot remain here, ne went
on IF there are not some of you to take my
nort. if there are not some to ask me to re-
main. if there are not some to accord the eX-
pression of regret that Mr.. Griswold withholds