Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-06-01


yet without an ounce of superfiuous
fat His long black hair clustered
about his wrists as he sat with ell
bows upon the table, leaning his head
upon his hands, one of which was
gloved. Something more than the tan
of sun and air darkened his cheeks.
while the black eyes, the curved nos
trils that expanded and contracted as
he breathed, and the sCornful lip, all
proclaimed him to be other than a
Frenchman.
His attitude was one Of detection and
disappointment yet in his eye was
that ineXtinguishable glimmer of hope
that lightens UP the face of every true
soldier after the first shock of bat
tie against great odds passes away.
1t soon spread, and from a glimmer it
became glow that overran his counte-
nance, until he burst forth into
laugh. and, raising his head and lean
ing back, he spoke aloud to his sword,
which he took up in his ungloved
hand:
MA fol! mon brave here we are at
the bottom of the ladder again whence
we started ten years ago. What mat
ters it, though! When the king needs
us again, he will remember us. If
there be an expedition against the
Mediterranean pirates undertaken, it
will be a summons for Capt Henri de
Tonti to attend his majesty's conven-
fence for the purpose of fitting out and
leading that expedition. And there
will be year or two of fighting. and
a wound, with a plaster to patch it
up with when we return in the shape
of another order on the treasury for
300 livres, and the promise of a place
in the guards-and then, forgetful-
ness. Or perhaps twill be land duty
against the half-drunk Dutchmen.
Then it's powder and bang at dis
tance, and sword thrust and parry
when we have charged the works, like
this, en- garde!-Or this-or that-or
that-mon Dieu! avec mes compli-
ments, Messieurs," and, springing to
his feet, he fenced with an imaginary
adversary, now parrying, now thrust
ing, until, ending with a fierce on
slaught that pierced his enemy to the
heart, he bowed mocIingly and sat
down
Ma fol! then it's powder and wigs,
slim waist and curved ankle when we
return, for nothing pleases me more
than to see again a French woman aft
CT foreign campaign. Those stupid
Dutch oxen, with their big eyes and
clumsy feet, may please Mynheer, but
-cuistre! none of them for me- What
right have I, battered soldier of for
tune with neither penny nor power,
to talk of women or wigs, when have
but single louis dor between me and
the street! Come, mon occur, and let
us face the situation. My rent is not
due for week come Tuesday: that
will take half; with the remainder |
can get bread and wine enough to last
for that period. Dame! ten days are
sufficient in which to conquer a PROV
ince, marry a widow with fat money
bags, or run into some lucky adven-
ture that will give me gold enough to
live like prince for another month.
But, pestei how dark it grows, and yet
it is only midday"-and going to the
window overlooking the square, he
glanced anXiously about him. "Ha!
another execution is afoot," he con-
tinued to himself half audibIy. Some
petty noble who has displeased the
king, or poor farmer rebelling against
COlbert's taxes. An eclipse too! That
augers well for me. Twas an eclipse
that | watched just before my appoint
Cd atNfn Of
shooting stars appeared the last night
of my captivity after Libisso and
warned me of my release. 1t means a
change of fortune; and, as any change
can but be for the better | welcome its
arrival. Mordi. but the crowd is fright
ened; like the sheep | used to see out
side Naples when a boy, as the thun-
der startled them from their grazing
Ha! they break through the lines of
guards-Cor Dieu!-the prisoner es-
capes-he fiees-what fools and cow
ards to go mad over a falling wall and
blinking sun"
And speaking thus he turned away
from the window, threw himself down
into chair placed in front of the
other easement which he opened, and
sat half dreamily watching the still
dalkening Sky. He sprang up with
cry of amazement, as he saw the
opening of the window suddenly OBJ
structed by some Opaque body. By the
time he stood upright, this body re-
solved itself into pair of human legs.
that, after dangling a moment in the
air, found lodgment on the sill, and
before the young soldier could move
or utter another sound the figure of
man descended into the room and
stood before him.