Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-04
WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT, MONDAY DECEMBER A


 pale-robed figures until the doorway swallowed them and then I walked away to a quiet corner where the shrubs grew highest and the yew hedgc threw its deepest shadow and stood to think
 They were strange thoughts, re- member. If the oak can think at the moment the wind uproots it, or the gnarled thorn bush when the landslip tears it from the slope, they may have such thoughts. stared at the leaves, at the rotting 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 doo 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 cardi- nal seemed name, and the kings writ ran slowly and the rebellion, long Quenched 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 Quartier Marais and Za~ tons, where had lived like a pig, and
 A touch fell on my arm turned. It was Clon. How he had stolen up so quietly, how long he had been at my elbow, I could not tell. But his eyes gleamed spitefully in their deep sockets and he laughed with his f1eshless lips; and I hated him. In the daylight the man looked more like death's-head than ever. fancied read in his face that he knew my secret, and flashed into rage at sightyof him.
 "What is it?" l cried, with anoth- CT oath. Don't lay your corpse-claws on mel"
 He moved at me, and, lowing with ironical politeness, pointed to the house. ''Is madam served?" I said impatiently. crushing down my anger. 'Is that what you mean, fool9"
 He nodded.
 Very we'll" retorted. T can find my way, then. You may go!"
 He fell behind and strode back through the sunshine and flowers, and along the grass-srown paths, to the door by whict I had come. walked fast, but his shadow kept 7aca with me, driving Cit the strange thoughts in which I had been indulging. Slow ly but surely it darkened my mood After all, this was little, little place; the people who lived here-I shrugged my shoulders. France, power, pleas ure, life lay wonder in the city. A boy might wreck himself here for fancy; man of the world, never. When I entered the room, where the two adies stood waiting for me by the table, I was myself again.
 SiOn LuduS you uuucISIditu tACii the younger woman said kindly.
 "Yes Mademoiselle," answered. On which saw the two smile at one another, and added: "He is strange creature. woade: you can bear to have him near you.'
 Poor man! Ton do not know his, stcry? madam said " ''hu
 q have hea rd something of it, I an- swered. Louis told me"
 Well, do chudi.r at him. some times" she rep:ied. in a low voice. "He hes suffered and horribly, and for us. But wish 1t had beer on aIly ether service Spies are necessary things, hut one does not wish to have to do without them! Anything in the nature of treachery is so horrible"
 Quick, Louis! the cognac, if you have any there!" mademoiselle ex- claimed. 'I am sure you are-still feeling i'll. Monsieur"
 NO, thank you" muttered hoarsely, making an effort to recover myself. "I am quite we'll. It was an old wound that sometimes touches me"