Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-10

known as odd Pol" who to his office of
harbOr master added likewise that of col
lector of the customs.
Paul Marais dwelt in the street called,
perhaps by way of satire. La Grande. His
house was a quaint mixture or timber
and stone, with dormer lattices set in the
red tiles of the roof. 1t leaned against
its neighbor for support with every door
way and window frame out of the per-
pendicular. Yet 1t had stood firm during
three centuries and would probably con-
tinue to stand during as many more
One chill afternoon in March Old Pol
was sauntering to and fro in front of his
house, thoughtfully smoking pipe.
After half an hour spent in this pleasant
idling he suddenly Quickened his pace
and entered his abode, passing to the par
lor with it's red-tiled sanded floor, where,
around the bright-polished chaufferette
sat Madame Marais and three or four old
DANES, all busily knitting and all enjoy
ing those pleasures dear to the heart of
every Breton woman, to wit, cider and
gossip.
'Celestine." said Pol. the diligence is
coming"
Paul Marais," replied his wife, with
tart dignity, don't be fool"
And Pol. expecting no other answer,
whistled softly and withdrew.
To explain madames reprOof 1t Is neces-
sary to state that two or three years
previously a gentleman calling himself
count had visited Quilaix, and charmed
with the old-world air of the place had
u"cll III Il VI lOuSt LOT the space OF SIX
months.
The handsome profit derived by Pol on
this occasion disposed him to look for
ward to the coming of other visitors; but
alas! Quilaix Is too obscure to be men
toned in the ordinary manuals issued for
the guidance of tourists. The counts So
1ourn was an exception to the normal
course of events
Nevertheless Pol would not abandon
hope; and, day by day, he awaited the
arrival OF the diligence, for the purpose
or inviting the chance stranger to his
own dwelling before any other person
should have the opportunity of appropri-
ating him.
everything comes to the man who
waits muttered Pol to himself, as he
watched the distant vehicle sWaying ito
zlgzag course down the hillside road
ms diligence is perhaps bringing me a
visitor. Who can tell?"
IWllISht drew on; and as the lamp
Hshter was preparing the illumination
or La Rue Grande by the nrIrnitiya
method OF fixing oil lantern to the mid
StH oI rope slung across the street. the
uIHeehce came up, but instead of going on
as usual to the auberge in tho ut,1e Us , va
square, the driver stopped short i'm front Of
iols house, and there aligbted a Wo1,ns q,
Iady accompanied by a little boy a child ne
two years. ~tiiu VI
Madame Marais lives here?" She askeo
with an inquiring glance at Pol.
MY wlfe,s name replied Pol. He mock
ete1 ms pipe doffed his cap. and bowed
by the saints" he muttered to himself "a
boarder at last. or may l lose nv harbor
mastership Now, Celestne, II is my turn
10 laugh at you
The young lady. holding the child by the
hand. followed Pol to the parlor
GOD bless you ALL great and small" she
SAID using the greeting customary In that
part of Brittany.
Heaven bless you, too, stranger who
ever you may be- replied all, as they rose
and curtsied.
This intercourse was conducted in ths
Breton tongue, the cultural voices OF
Madame Marais and her compan MONS form.
ms; marked contrast with the sweet voice
of the stranger.
Can one have apartments here? The vol.
turier has assured me that one can
Pol. about to reply with an eager affirma
tive. was checked by a glance from his
more cautious spouse, who was not dis
posed to give herself away too easily or toe
cheaply.
visitors. she replied, speaking with great
dignity. AT least not as a rule But still
with a little trouble might arrange How
many rooms does madame require? Would
four be"
That number will do. VIII you let me
see them?"
After a brief inspection the lady expressed
her approval. being especially pleased witt
the sitting room, an apartment marked by
a, charming air of antiquity. The oal
flooring and paneling were black with age
Within the huge fireplace an OK could have
been roasted whole. Over the carved man
tel was q boar's head, a trophy gained BY
Pol in a hunting expedition among thu
Breton hills. On a dark oaken press al
ivory crucifx Drowned by time impaired
a sort of solemnity to the place.
Terms were arranged; and the lady's lug