Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-19


BY that time had made up my mind
that he was tracking some one. But
whom? | could not make guess at
that. l only knew that the plot was
thickening, and began to feel the ca
gerness of the chase. OF course, If the
matter had not to do with Cocheforet,
it was no affair Of mine; but though
it seemed unlikely that anything could
bring him back so soon, he might still
be at the bottom of this. And, besides,
l felt a natural curiosity. When Clon
at last improved his pace, and went
on to the village, took up his task.
called to mind all the wood-lore l had
ever known, and scanned trodden
mould and crushed leaves with eager
eyes. But in vain. I could make moth
ing of it at all, and rose at last with
an aching back and no advantage.
did not go on to the village after
that, but returned to the house, where
l found madam pacing the garden. She
looked up eagerly on hearing my step;
and was mistaken If she was not dis
appointed-if she had not been ex-
pecting some one else She hid the
feeling bravely, however, and met me
with careless word; but she turned
to the house more than once while
we talked, and she seemed to be all
the while on the watch, and uneasy.
was not surprised when Clon's figure
presently appeared in the doorway,
and she left me abruptly and went to
him. l only felt more certain than
before that there was something
strange on foot. What it was, and
whether it had to do with. II. de Coch-
eforet, l could not tell. But there 1t
was, and ! grew more curious the
longer l remained alone.
She came back to me presently, look
ing thoughtful and trife downcast.
"That was Clon, was it not?" said,
studying her face.
eyes," she answered. She spoke alb
sently, and did not look at me-
How does he talk to you?" asked,
speaking a tri1e curtly.
AS | intended, my tone reused her.
"By signs" she said
rs he's he not a little mad?" 1
ventured. wanted to make her talk
and forget herself.
She looked at me with sudden keen
ness, then dropped her eyes.
You do not like him." she said,
note of challange in her voice II have
noticed that, Monsieur"
II think he does not like me-"
replied.
HE is less trustful than we are"
she answered naively. ''It is natural
that he should be. He has seen more
Of the world
That s1lenced me for a moment, but
she did not seem to notice it. 81 was
looking for him little while ago, and
| could not find him." I said, after
pause
He has been into the village" she
answered.
| longed to pursue the matter far
ther; but though she seemed to enter
tain no suspicion of me, dared not
run the risk. tried her. instead, on
another tack. "Mademoiselle de Coch-
foret does not seem very we'll to-day 90
l said
"No?" she answered carelessly.
We'll, now you speak of it, l do not
think she is. She is often anxious
about-my husband"
She uttered the last two words with
q little hesitation, and looked at me
quickly when she had spoken them
We were sitting at the moment on a
stone seat which had the wall of the
house for a back; and, fortunately,
/ was toying with the branch of a
creeping plant that hung over it, so
that she could not see more than the
side of my face. For l knew that it
altered Over my voice. however, had
more control, and fastened to an
swer, Eyes, l suppose So" as limo
Gently as possible.
"He is at Bosost-in Spain. You
knew that, I conclude?" she said, with
certain sharpness. Aud she looked
me in the face again very directly.
Yes" answered, beginning to
tremble.
II suppose you have heard, too, that
he-that he sometimes crosses the
border?" she continued In low voice,
but with y certain ring of insistence
in her tone. COR, if you have not heard
1t, you guess it?"
. I was in quandary, and grew, in
one second, hot all over. Uncertain
what amount of knowledge ought to
admit, took refuge in gallantry.
Il should be surprised if he did not"
answered, with q bow, Being, as he
Is. SO close. and having such an in
ducement to return, Madam"
She drew long, shivering sigh-at
the thought of his peril, fancied, and
sat back against the wall Nor did
she say any more, though heard her
sigh again. In a moment she rose.
THE afternoons are growing chilly"
she said: II will go in and see how
mademoiselle is. Sometimes she does
not come to supper If she cannot
descend this evening, am afraid you
must excuse me too, Monsieur"
I &C hot till