Potosi journal., 1906-12-26
Mademoiselie uttered . low moan.

Mademoiselle uttered . low moan,
and l turned to support her, thinking
each second to see her fall. But with
sudden movement she Strengthened
herself. and, slipping by me. with eyes
which seemed to see nothing, she
started swiftly down the walk towards
the meadow gate.
l ran after her, but, taken by sur
prise as / was. it was only by great
effort that l reached the gate before
her, and. thrusting myself in the road,
barred the way. LET me pass!" she
painted fiercely, striving to thrust me
ON one side. "Out of my way. Sir! I
am going to the village"
You are not going to the village"
I said sternly. Go back to the house,
Made1aoiselle. and at once"
MY servant" she walled. Let me
go! Oh. let me go! Do you think
can rest here while they torture him?
He cannot speak, and they-they-"
60 back, Mademoiselle,' said, cut
ting her short, with decision. You
would only make matters worse! I
will go myself, and what one man can
do against many, l will! Louis, give
your mistress your arm and take her
TO the house. Take her to madam"
But you will go?" she cried Before
l could stay her-I swear I would have
done so If could-she raised my hand
and carried it to her trembling lips.
You will go! Go and stop them!
Stop them," she continued, in a tone
which stirred my heart. land Heaven
reward you, Monsieur"
did not answer, nor did once look
back, as crossed the meadow; but
did not look forward either. Doubtless
it was grass I trod: doubtless the
wood was before NE with the sun
shining aslant on 1t, and behind ne
the house with fame here and there
on the windows; with racing pulse,
in a glow from head to heel; conscious
of nothing but the touch OF mader,ci-
selle's warm lips, seeing neither
meadows nor house. nor even the dark
fringe of wood before me, but only
mademOiSelle's passionate face. For
the moment | was drunk: drunk with
that to which ] had been so long
stranger, with that which a man may
scorn for years. to find it at last be-
of good woman's lips.
I passed the bridge IN this state; and
my feet were among the brushwcod
before the heat and fever in which
| moved found on a sudden their tii-
rection. Something began to penetrate
to my veiled senses-a hoa1se inarticu-
late cry. now deep, now shrilling hor-
rlbly, which seemed 10 fill the wood.
1t came at intervals of half minute or
SO and made the flesh creep, it was SO
full Of dumb pain, of impotent wrest>
ling, of unspeakaDle agony. l am a
man ard have seen things. l saw the
Concini beheaded and Chalais ten years
1ater--thev gave him "a blows; and
when | was boy l escaped from the
college and viewed from a great dis.
tance Ravaillac torn by horses-that
was in the: year ten. But the horri5i,
cries now heard filled ne, perhaps be.
cause l was alone and fresh from the
sight Of mademoiselle. with loathing
that was intense The very wood,
though the sun wanted an hour of set
ting, seemed to grow dark ran on
through it, cursirg, until the novels
of the village at length came in sight
Again the shrek rose, pulsing hor-
ror and this timeI could hear the lash
fall on the sOdden flesh, I could see in
fancy the strong man. trembling. q,;v-
erinS, strainins against his bonds,
And then, in moment. / was in the
street and, as the scream once more
tore the air dashed round the corner
by the inn and came upon them.