Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-26

lage, and trembling between haste and
anger, pressed towards them. In a few
minutes stood in the little street
The lights of the inn shone onlv
so yards away; but before could show
myself even there pride suggested that
l should do something to repair nv
clothes. ! stopped and scraped and
brushed them; and at the same time
did what could to compose NV fea-
lures. Then advanced to the door
and knocked. Almost on the instant
the landlords voice called from the in.
side, Enter, Monsieur!"
raised the latch and went in. The
man was alone, squatting over the
lire, warming his hands. A black pot
simmered on the ashes; as ! entered
he raised the lid and peeped inside.
Then he glanced over his shoulder
You expected me?" said defiant
ly, walking to the hearth and setting
one OF my damp boots on the logs.
Yes" he answered, nodding CURLY.
Your supper is Just ready. thought
you would be in about this time"
he srinned as he spoke and it was
with difficulty suppressed nv wrath
"Mademoiselle de cocheforet told YOU .
said, affecting indifference, where
was?"
"Ay, mademoiselle-or madam" he
replied, grinning afresh.
So she told him where she had loet
me and how she had tricked me! She
mad made me the village laughing
stock! My rage flashed out afresh at
the thought, and, at the sight of his
knocking face. raised nv fist.
But he read the threat in NV evas
and was up in moment. snarling with
his hand on his knife Not again, Mon
sieur!" he cried, in his vile patois
MY head is sore still. Raise your
hand and will rip you up as would a
pig!"
"sit down fool" said. 81 am not
going to harm you. Where is your
wife?"
"About her business"
Which should be getting my SUP,
~ Il ASooi tNu SIldl ply.
He rose suenly, and. fetching a
platter, poured the mess of broth and
vegetables into it. Then he went to u
cupboard and brought out a loaf of
black bread and measure of wine and
set them also on the table. "You see
it," he said laconically.
And poor welcomed" | exclaimed
He famed into sudden, passion al
that. Leaning with both his hands on
the table, he thurst his rugged face and
blood-shot eyes close to mine, His
mustache bristled; his beard trem-
bled. "Hark ye, sirrah!" he NUT
tered, with sulen emphasis-"be con-
tent! l have my suspicious. And if
1T were not ftr my lady's orders l
would put knife into you, fair or
foul, this very night. You would lie
snug outside instead Of inside and l
do not think any one would be the
worse. But, as it is, be content. Keep
a still tongue; and when you turn
your back on Coeheforet tomorrow,
keep it turned"
tut! tut!' said--but I confess
was little out of countenance
Threatened men live long, yon
rascal"
"In Paris" he answered significant
ly. mot here, Monsieur.
He Strengthened himself with that,
nodded once, and went back to the fire,
and shrugged my shoulders and be-
gan to eat, affecting to forget his pres
ence. The logs on the hearth burned
sullenly, and gave no light. The poor
oil-lamp, casting weird shadows from
wall to wall, served only to discover
the darkness. The room, with its
low roof and earthen floor, and foul
clothes flung here and there, reeked of
stale meals and garlic and vile cook
ing. l thought Of the parlor at Coche-
foret, and the dainty table, and the
stiffness, and the scented pot-herbs;
and, though was too. old a soldier to
eat the worse because my spoon lacked
washing, l felt the change and laid
1t savagely at mademoiselle's door
The landlord, watching me STEALTH
ly from his place by the hearth, read
my thoughts and chuckled aloud.
palace fare palacs manners" he
muttered scornfully. "Set a beggar on
horseback and he will ride-back to.
the inn!"
Keep a civil tongue, will you!" /
answered, scowng at him.
Have you finshed?" he retorted.
rose, without deigning to reply,
and going to the fire drew off my
boots, which were wet through. He,
on the instant, swept off wine and loaf
to the cupboard. and then, coming back
for the platter had used, took it,
opened the back door, and went out,
leaving the door ajar The draught
which came in teat the flame of the
lamp this way and that. and gave the
dingy, gloomy rom an air still more
miserable. rose angrily from the
fire and went to the door, intending
to close it with bang.
But when | reached it saw some
thing between dor and jamb which
stayed my hand The door led to