Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-09

HHCG. 1uc Glondt wv WhANA A@@AN@ room, soon began to melt. The men strayed of in groups to water their horses, or went to hunt up their quar- ters. until only two or three were left. Dusk had fallen outside; the noise in the street grew less. The freight be- gan to glow and flicker on the walls, and the wretched room to look as homely as it was in its nature to look. I was pondering for the twentieth time what step I should take next-under these new circumstances-and why the soldiers were here. and whether l should let the night pass before l moved, when the door, which had been turning on its hinges almost without pause for an hour, opened again, and a woman came in.
 She paused moment on the threshold looking round, and saw that she had a shawl on her head and a milk-pitcher in her hand, and that her feet and ankles were bare. There was a great rent in her coarse stuff petu- coat. and the hand which held the shawl together was brown and dirty. More did not see; supposing her to be a neighbor stolen in now that the house was quiet to get some milk for her child or the like, took no further heed of her. I turned to the fire again and plunged into my thoughts. But to get to the hearth where the goodwife was fidgeting the woman had to pass in front of me; and as she passed I suppose she stole look at me from under the shawl For just when she came between me and the blaze she uttered low cry and shrank aside-so quickly that she almost stepped on the hearth. The next mo- ment she turned her back to me and was stopping, whispering in the house. wife's ear. A stranger might have thought that she had merely trodden on hot ember. But another idea and very sharp one, came into my mind; and stood up silently. The woman's back was towards me, but something in her height, her shape, the pose of her head hidden as it was by her shawl. seemed familiar. I waited while she hung over the fire whispering and while the good wife slowly filled her pitcher out of the great black pot But when she turned to go, took step forward so as to bar her way. And our eyes met.
 Lor were lost in the shadow of the hood But saw a shiver run through her from head to foot. And I knew then that I had made no mistake.
 That is too heavy for you, my girl" . said familiarly, as I might have spoken to a village wench. q will carry it for you"
 One of the men, who remained loll- ing at the table, laughed and the other began to sing a.low song. The woman trembled in rage or fear, but she kept silence and let me take the jug from . her hands. And when I went to the door and opened it she followed mechanically. An instant and the door fell to behind us, shutting of the light and glow and we stood together in the growing dusk.
 'It is too late for you to be out, Mademoiselle, I said politely. You might meet with some rudeness, dressed as you are. Permit me to see ] you home"
 ! Sho shuddered. and thought heard her sob, but she did not answer. h. stead, she turned and walked quickly through the village in the direction of the chateau, keeping in the shadow of the houses. I carried the pitcher and walked beside her; and in the dark l smiled. I knew how shame and impotent rage were working in her. This was something like revenge!
 Presently I spoke. Well, Mademoi- selle." said. Where are your grooms?"
 She gave me one look. her eyes blaz- ing with anger, her face like hate it. self: and after that I said no more, but left her in peace and contenteG myself with walking at her shoulder until We came to the end of the village, where the track to the great house plunged into the wood. There she stop ped and turned on me like wild crea- ture at bay. What do you want?" she cried hoarsely. breathing as if she had been running.
 To see you safe to the house" answered coolly.
 And if Will not?" she retorted.
 The choice does no: lie with you, ! Mademoiselle." answered sternly You will go 10 the house with me and on the way you will give me an inter- 1 view: but not here. Here we are noE private enough. We may be interrupted at any moment and wish 10 speak 10 you at length"
 saw her shiver. What if I will not?" she said again.
 T might call 10 the nearest soldiers and tell them who you are. answered coolly. T might. but I should not. That were a clumsy way of punishing you and I know better way. I should go 10 the captain. MademoissIle. and
 fell him whose horse is locked up in
 fhe inn stable. 4 trooper told me , as some one had told him-that it be lonzed 10 one of his officers: bu- looked through the crack and knev . lhe horse again
 She could not repress a Eroan-
 waited Still she did not speak. Sal . ! go to the captainz" [ said ruthiessly
 She shook the hood back from hel
 fare ard looked az me. ''Oh. yot
 rrwsr5' vo1 rows~dt" she hfssef