Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-12

nevertheless | am going to scold
you,1 she rejoined, still eyeing me with
some keenness. Il am glad to see that
you are none the worse for your adj
venture-but others may be. And you
should have borne that in mind"
I DO not think that hurt the man
seriously" stammered.
do not refer to that" she an
swered coldly. You know, or should
know, that we are in disgrace here;
that the government regards us already
with an evil eye and that very small
thing would lead them to garrison the
village and perhaps Gust us from the
little the wars have left us. You should
have known this and considered it,"
she continued. "Wh ereas-I do not
say that you are braggart, M. dc
Barthe. But on this one occasion you
seem to have played the part of one''
Madam, I did not think?" l STAN
mered.
Want of thought causes much evil"
she answered, smiling. However, l
have spoken and we trust that while
you stay with us you will be more care.
fui. For the rest, Monsieur" she con-
tinued graciously, raising her hand to
prevent me speaking, I'VE do not
know why YOU are. here, or what plans
you are pursuing. And We do not wish
to know. It is enough that you are of
OUR side. This house Is at your service
az ling ae va, nlaoea IN ,,ea ~ Ao,1
II we can aid you in any other way we
will do So"
Madam" exclaimed; and there
stopped. could not say any more
The rose-garden. with its air of neglect,
the shadow Of the quiet house that fell
across it, the great yew hedge which
backed it. and was the pattern of one
under which had played in childhood
all had points that pricked me. But
the womenis kindness their unques-
tioning confidence, the noble air of
hospitality which moved them! Against
these and their placid beauty in its
peaceful frame had no shield.
turned away and feigned to be over
come by gratitude. 81 have no Words
TO thank you!" l muttered presently
Il am little shaken this morning. L
pardon me-
we will leave you for while"
Mademoiselle de Cocheforet said, in
gentle. plying tones. "The air will
revive YOU. Louis shall call you when
we go to dinner. NJ de Barthe. Come,
Elise"
I bowed low to hide my face and they
nodded pleasantly-not looking closely
at meas they walked by me to the
house. l watched the two gracious,
pale-robed figures until the doorway
swallowed them and then l walked
away to a quiet corner where the
shrubs grew highest and the yew hedge
threw it's deepest shadow and l stood
to think.
They were strange thoughts, re-
member. II the oak can think at the
moment. the wind uproots it, or the
gnarled thorn-bush when the. landslip
tears 1t from the slope, they may have
such thoughts I stared at the leaves,
at the rotttng blossoms, into the dark
cavities of the hedge; stared mechan-
ically, dazed and wondering. What
was the purpose for which was here?
What was the work had come to do.
Above, all. how-my God! how was I
TO do It in the face Of these helpless
women, who trusted me-who opened
their house to me? Clon had not
frightened me. nor the loneliness of
the leagued village. nor the remoteness
of this corner where the dread cardl-
nal seemed name and the kings
writ ran slowly and the rebellion, long
ouenched elsewhere still smouldered.
But madam's pure faith. the younger
woman's tenderness-how was to face
these?
| cursed the cardinal, cursed the
English fool who brought me to this,
/ cursed the years Of plenty and scarce
ness and the Quarter Marais and Za>
tons, where l had lived like a pig,
and
A touch fell on my arm. I turned. 1t
was Clon. How he had stolen up so
quietly, how lorg he had been at my
elbow, Ircollld not tell. But his eyes
cleaned spitefully in their deep sockets
and he laughed with his fleshless lips;
and l hated him. In the daylight the
man looked more like a Deaths head
than ever. | fancied read in his face
that he knew my secret, and l flashed
Into rage at sight of him.
what is it?" cried. with anoth-
er oath. Don't lay your corpse-claws
on mel"
He moved at me, and, bowling with
iroaical politeness, pointed to the
house. SIS madam served?" said
impatiently, crushing down my anger.
Us that what you mean, foole"
He nodded.
Very we'll" l retorted. 81 can find
my way, then. You may co."
(To be Continued.)
ASH GROVE.
Ash Grove. Dec. miss Loveda