Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-06-14


have known this and considered it,"
she continued. "Whereas-I do not
say that you are a braggart, M. dc
Barthe. But on this one occasion you
seem to have played the part Of one"
Madam, | did not Think" | STAN
mered.
Want of thought cause much evil"
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 g~raciously, raising her hand to
prevent me speaking. Eve do not
know why you are here, OF what plans
you are pursuing. And we do not wish
to know. 1t is enough that you are of
side. This house is at your service
as long as you please to use it. Ana
If we can aid yon in any other way we
will do So"
"Madam!" I exclaimed; and there
I stopped. I could not say any more.
The r~ose-garden, with its air of neglect,
the shadow Of the quiet house that fell
across it, the great view hedge which
backed it, and was the pattern of one
under which I 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 I had no shield. /
turned away and feigned to be over
come. by gratitude. 81 have no words
TO thank you!" l muttered presently.
II am a little shaken this morning. l.
pardon me-"
1--WE 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"
l bowed low to hide my face and they
nodded pleasantly--not looking closely
at meas they walked by me to the
house. I watched the two gracious,
pale-robed figures until the doorway
swallowed them and then I walked
, away to a quiet corner where the
shrubs grew highest and the yew hedge
threw its deepest shadow and I stood
to think.
They were strange thoughts, I re-
member. If the oak can think at the
moment the wind uproots it, or the
gnarled thorn-bush when the landslip
tears it from the slope, they may have
such thoughts. I 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 I was here?
What was the work I had come to do:
Above all. how-my God! how was 7
to do it in the face of these helpless
women, who trusted me-who opened
their house to me? Clon had not
frightened me, O the loneliness of
the leagued village, nor the remoteness
of this corner where the dread cardi-
nal seemed a name, and the kings
writ ran slowly and the rebellion, long
ouenched elsewhere, still smouldered.
But madam's 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 I had lived like a pig,
and
A touch fell on my arm. I turned. II
was Clon. How he had stolen up SC
quietly, how long he had been at my
elbow, I could not tell. But his eyes
cleaned spitefuily in their deep sockets
and he laughed with his fleshless lips;
and I hated him. In the daylight the
man looked more like a death's-head
than ever. / fancied l read in his face
that he knew my secret, and | flashed
into rage at sight of him.
what is it," l cried. with anoth-
er oath. Don't lay your corpse-claws
. on mel"
He moved at me, and, bowling with
ironical politeness, pointed to the
!, house. "1s madam served?" said
, impatiently, crushing down my anger
, SIS that what you mean, fool?"
i He nodded.
} VERY WE'LL" I retorted. 81 can fine
, my way, then. You may co."
| He fell behiud, and l strobe bacl
: through the sunshine and flowers, ant
i, along the grass-grown paths, to thu
!. door by which I had come. walkef
J fast, but MS shallow kept pace witt
!, me, driving ct the strange thoughts
i'll which | had been INDUCING. Slow
! ly but surely 1t darkened my MOOD
After all, this was a l.ttle. little place
the people who lived here-I Shrugged
my shoulders. France, power, pleas
r ure, life lay yonder in the city. A DO.
! might wreck himself here for a fancy
a man of the world, never. When
entered the room, where the two ldie-
: stood waiting for me by the table,
Q Vas myself again.
:, "Clon mada you understand, them
0 the younger woman said kindly.
0 Eyes Mademoiselle," | answered. o.
Y which saw the two smile at on
another, and ! added: "He is a strang'
err ature. K won.ier you can bear L
r have him near you"
Poor man! yon do not know hi,
d stcry?" madam said.
b ~; have heard something Of it," I an
swered. Louis told me-"
. well, | do 1hudl'r at him. some
t times" she rep. led in a low voice. III,
e has suffered and horribly, and for us
Iu; I wish Il had beer On aiy c;he
service. Spies are necessary things
a Int one does not wish to have TO d,
4 without them Awning iii the natur