The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-03-15

mademciselle az they drew near 10 me
regarded me wits sossJwfIl attention
madam with a grave smile.
bowed low. They returned the
salute. This IL my sister," Madam
de Cocheforet said, with a slight air
OF condescension. "Will you please
tell me your name. Monsieur"
Il am NJ. de Barthe. a gentleman Of
Normandy" l said. taking the name
Of my mother My own, by a posi-
olIity, might be known.
Madam's face wore a puzzled look.
Il do not know your name. think.
she said thoughtfully. Doubtless shs
was going over in her mind all tho
names with which conspiracy had made
her familiar.
"That is my misfortune, Madam, "
I said humbly.
Nevertheless am going to scold
you" she rejoined. still eyeing me with
some keenness. Il en- glad to see that
you are none the ysorse for your ad-
venture-but others may be. And you
should have borne that In mind"
Il do not think that hurt the man
seriously" stammered.
Il do not refer to that" she an
swered coldly. "You know. or should
know. that we are in disgrace here;
that the government regards us already
with an evil eye and that very small
thing would lead them TO garrison the
village and perhaps Gust us from the
little the wars have left us. You should
have known this and considered It,"
she continued. "Whereas-I do not
say that you are a braggart, NJ de
Barthe. But on this one occasion you
seem to have played the part OF one"
Madam. did not think?" STAN
mered.
Want Of thought causes much evil, f"
she answered, smiling. However.
have spoken and We trust that while
you stay with us you will be more care.
full. For the rest, Monsieur" she con-
tinued graciously. raising her hand TO
prevent me speaking. I'VE do not
know why you are here, or what plans
you are pursuing. And we do not wish
to know. II is enough that you are Of
our side. This house is at your service
as long as you please TO use Il. And
II we can aid you in any other way we
will do So"
Madam" I exclaimed; and there
stopped. | could not say any more
The rose-garden, with its air Of neglect.
the shadow Of the quiet house that fell
across 1t, the great yew hedge which
backed 1t. and was the pattern Of one
under which had played in childhood
all had points that pricked me. But
the women's kindness. their unques-
tioning confidence, the noble air OF
hospitality which moved them Against
these and their placid beauty in its
peaceful frame | had no shield. !
turned away and feigned TO be over
come by gratitude. Il have no words
TO thank youi" I muttered presently.
Il am little shaken this morning l.
pardon me"
I'VE will leave you for a while"
Mademoiselle de Cocheforet said, In
gentle. plying tones. "The air will
revive you. Louis shall call you when
we go to dinner. NJ. de Barthe. Come,
Elise"
bowed low 10 hide my face and they
nodded pleasantly-not looking closely
at meas they walked by me to the
house. watched the two gracious,
pale-robed figures until the doorway
swallowed them and then I walked
away 10 a quiet corner where the
shrubs grew highest and the yew hedge
threw it's deepest shadow and stood
to think.
They were strange thoughts. I re-
member. II the oak can think at the
moment the wind uproots II, or the
gnaried thorn-bush when the landslip
tears Il 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 do:
Above all. how-my Cod how was
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 ca-di-
nal seemed a name. and the kings
writ ran slowly and The rebellion. long
ouenched elsewhere. still smouldered.
But madams pure faith. the younger
woman's tenderness-how was TO face
these?
cursed the cardinal. I cursed the
English fool who brought me to this,
I cursed the years Of plenty and scarce.
ness and the QUARTER Marais and Ia,
TONS, where had lived like a pig.
and
A touch fell on my arm. / turned. II
was Clon. How he had stolen up so
quietly, how long he had been at my
elbow. l could not tell. But his eyes
cleaned spitefully in their deep sockets
and be laughed with his fleshless lips.
and | hated him. In the daylight the
man looked more like a death's-head
In, Ii g..