Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-30
XII.
THE ROAD TO PARIS

l remember nearing Marshal BaS"
sompierre, who, of all men within my
knowledge, had the widest experience,
say that not dangers, but discomforts,
prove a man, and show what he is;
and that the worst sores in life are
caused by crumpled rose-leaves and
not by thorns.
I am inclined to agree with this.
For remember that when | came from
my room on the morning after the ar
rest, and found hall and parlor and
passage empty, and all the common
rooms Of the house deserted, and no
meal laid, and when | OWNED anew
from this discovery the feeling of the
house towards me-however natural to
be expected felt as sharp a pang as
when, the night before, I had had to
face discovery and open rage and
scorn. | stood in the silent, empty par
Tor, and looked round me with a sense
of desolation; of something lost and
gone, which | could not replace. The
morning was gray and cloudy, the air
sharp; a shower was falling. The rose
bushes at the window swayed in the
wind, and where l could remember
the hot sunshine lying on the floor
and table, the rain beat In and stained
the boards. The main door tapped
and creaked to and fro. l thought
of other days and other meals I had
taken there, and of the scent of low-
ers. and fed 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 a drop Of moisture, slid.
ing down the great chimney, battered
among them. The great door stood
open as if the house had no longer any
thing to gnard. The only living thing
to be seen was a hound which roamad
about restlessly. now gazing at the
empty hearth, nov lying down with
pricked ears and watchfuI 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 1t, against the
wall, triclling with rain-drops and
with a dead leaf half filling it's 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 it tr
me. And signing grimly, I went in
again through the parlor door.
A woman was on her knees kindlins
the belated fire. I stood a moment,
looking at her doubtfully, wonderine
how she would bear herself and what
she would say to me: and .hen she
turned and | cried out her name In
horror; for it was madam!
She was very plainly dressed; he,
childish face was wan and piteous
with weeping. But either the nigh
had 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 a:
II a light had been suddenly thrust be
fore her. But she turned again to hcI
task, without speaking.
Madam! Madam" cried, in ,
frenzy Of distress. What is this?"
THE servants would not do it," sh.
answered, in a low but steady voice
You are still our guest, Monsieur ant
it must be done"
Butt cannot suffer IT." I cried, Ii
misery. Madam de Cocheforet. !
will | would rather do it myself"
She raised her hand. with a strange
patient expression on her face. Hush
please" she said. Hush! you trouble
me-"
The tire took light and blazed up a.
she spoke and she rose slowly from 1t
and, with a lingering look at 1t, wen,
out; leaving me to stand and stare
and listen In the middle of the floor
Presently I heard her coming bacl
along the passage and she entered
bearing a tray with wine and meat and
bread. She set 1t down on the tahll
and with the same wan face, trembling
always on the verge of tears. she be-
gan to lay out the things. The glasse.
clinked pitifully against the plates a,
she handled them; the knives jarre,
with one another; and stood by
trembling myself and endured thil
strange, this awful penance.
ITO Be c~ontinued.J