Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-20

and creaked to and fro. thought
OF other days and other meals had
taken there, and of the scent Of flow
ers. and LIED to the hall in despair.
But here, too. was no sign of life or
company, no comfort, no attendance.
The ashes of the logs, by whose blaze
mademoiselle had told me the secret.
lay ON the hearth white and cold; and
now and then drop of moisture, slid
Ing down the great chimney, pattere!
among them. The great door stood
open as II the house had no longer any.
thing to guard. The only living thing
to be seen was a hound which roamed
about restlessly now gazing at the
empty hearth, now lying down with
pricked ears and watchful eyes. Some
leaves which had been blown in rustled
in a corner
went out moodily into the garden
and wandered down one path and up
another. looking at the dripping woods
and remembering things, until I came
to the stone seat. On it. against the
wall, trickling with rain-drops ana
with dead leaf half filing its narrow
neck, stood the pitcher of food.
thought how much had happened since
mademoiselle took her hand off It and
the sergeant's lanthorn disclosed 1t to
me. And signing grimly, went in
again through the parlor door.
A woman was on her knees kindling
the belated fire. stood a moment,
looking at her doubtfully, wondering
how she would bear herself and what
she would say to me: and then she
turned and cried out her name in
horror; for it was madam!
She was very plainly dressed; her
childish face was wan and piteous
with weeping. But either the night
had worn out her passion and drained
her tears, or this great exigency gave
her temporary calmness; for she was
perfectly composed. She shivered as
her eyes met mine and she blinked as
II light had been suddenly thrust be-
fore her. But she turned again to her
task, without speaking.
Madam! Madam" cried, in q
frenzy of distress. What is this"
The servants would not do it," she
answered, in low but steady voice
you are still our guest, Monsieur an6
1t must be done"
Butt cannot suffer it," cried, in
misery. Madam de Cocheforet, I
will Iiwould rather do it myself"
She raised her hand with strange,
|Spaticnt expression on her face Flush,
please" she said. flush! you trouble
me-"
The fire took light ans blazed up as
she spoke and she rose slowly from it.
and. with lingering look at it, went
out; leaving me to stand and stare
and listen in the middle Of the floor.
Presently I heard her coming back
along the passage and she entered,
bearing trny with wine and meat and
bread. She set 1t down on the table
and with the same wan face. trembling
always on the verge of tears, she be-
gan to lay out the things The glasses
clinked pitifully against the plates as
she handled them: the iJ,iras Jared
trembling myself aad endured this
strange, this awful penance.
She signed me at last to sit down
and eat; and she went herself ant
| stood in the garden doorway, with
her back to me. obeyed. l sat down;
but, though l had eaten nothing since
the afternoon of the day before,
could not swallow. fumbled with my
knife, and, munched and drank; and
grew hot and angry at this farce; and
then looked through the window al
the dripping bushes, and the rain, and
the distant sandial. and grew cold
again.
Suddenly she turned round and came
to my side. you do not eat" she
said.
l threw down my knife and sprans
UP in frenzy of passion. Mon Dieu!
Madam" cried. do you think
| have no hearth"
And then in a moment knew what
had done. In a moment she was on
| her knees on the floor, clasping my
nAiSCSy pASoolA6 uCI Wei SACChS W LILY
rough clothes, crying to me for mercy
for life! life! life! his life! oh, II
was horrible! It was horrible to see
her fair hair falling over my mud.
stained boots, to see her slender little
form convulsed with sobs, to feel thai
this was woman, a gentlewoman, who
thus abased herself at my feet.
ooh, Madam! Madam!" cried, In
my agony. II beg you to rise. Rise
or must go! You will drive me out!'
Grant me his life!" she moaned pas.
sionately. only his life! What had
he done to you, that you should hunt
him down? What had we done to you
that you should slay US? All, Sir
have mercy! Let him go, and we will
| pray for YOU; and my sister will pray
for you every morning and night q
our lives"
| (To be Continued.)
Cheap Rates TO Pacific Coast.
| Commencing February Is and con
| }fn,,{np until A mil Y Tho lowe rao%.o