The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1904-03-11

|na3sian farmer, Who lived on the pay
shore.
He had hoped to make an early start;
lint the old donkey had somehow lameo
himself. and although the major pro
claimed that Michael was an imbecile.
Michael must rest few hours, notwitn-
standing.
A start the major was determined to
make, however. They could spend tbs
night at village, he expected to reach
in the early evening. and 60 on to Father
Normand's the next. morning.
In the afternoon, therefore. the donkey
was caparisoned with the saddle-bags.
the huge pockets Of which well-nigh
touched the ground on each side. and the
major mounted, holding Marie on his
arm. Unwillingly the donkey set him
self in motion.
AS they passed out upon the road,
which was little more than wagon
track overshadowed by trees, the smell
of smoke was borne on the wind, and
the major turned with some misgivings
to take q parting look at the little house
he was leaving behind. 1t was snug
place. and CHEEKY. The cabin, with its
whitewashed walls and the pot OF flow
eTs Frightening the window, made one
think Of prim old man with q carna-
ton in his buttonhole-the major him
self. perhaps. dressed for . feast-day.
Presently now they were in the for
est that pressed close up to the road.
But the donkey made painful progress.
When the afternoon was well spent they
were still some ten miles from the place
where the major had planned to spend
the night
The sun sank behind the trees The
first shades merged into darkness. Night
was upon them when they came to bit
Of rising ground which the major knew
was not far from their destination. on
ct the southwest he could see . glow
upon the sky that filled him with APP
prehension.
It was after eight o'clock when they
had managed to make another mile, and
now the ire f1rst seen from the hilltop
vas spreading very rapidly. It tinged
the whole southern sky where storm
clouds hung, and strange sounds. indis-
tinct and ominous, were in the air.
On again the travellers plodded for Z
little way. and then Michael stumbled
and rolled his riders on the ground.
When the major had scrambled to his
feet, and made sure that Marie's cries
were due to fright, and not to injury, he
noted that the beacon light on the sky
was we'll up toward the zenith, and the
distant sounds were growing louder
Even q he looked UP, : tree here and
there Frightened In the glow.
FOR : moment he stood irresolute
Then an inspiration came to him.
Seixsng Marie. he dropped her into one
Of The saddle-hag pockets and strapped
the pocket-hap loosely at the top.
The baby squirmed vigorously and
cried Justify. but the pocket, nap and
al. held drm. II was Z doubtful chance
that the major meant to take: but he
thought the donkey's instinct would
guide him to safety, and since he could
not carry both his master and Marie,
there was no other way.
There were teaFs in the old soldiers
eyes - he picked mp stout stick and
struck Michael resounding blow
ncrooe the danks His lameness for
gotten for the moment, the donkey
away.
The major followed. but only a far
- Father Ramien's little woodland
chapel In truth. he could 80 no far
ther. He had barely strength to
scramble up the ride steps and In 1t
Tie open dor. Father Ramien Was
gone. The only light within was that
of the altar lamp. which sent . faint
ray out into the little room.
But OF 1t the. south the Ars was
flashing from tree to tres. Terrifying
noises accompanied It, and the clouds !
we're % bright that flames from above |
seemed to mingle with the nre below.
The major thought the end OF the
world had come.
The light grew brighter. He could
Iee the crucihx above the altar, the
possion pictures On the walls, the
:aFven text upon the chancel rail that
,romised eternal life. The major knelt
. ~ paternoster, Presently the
rail little structure shook In the blast.
lrebrands ratified On roof and walls,
be windows burst In. and In the roll |
= tide q name the chapel disap-
Deared.
Two days later Marie Bonnet's
4