Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-25
CHAPTER X-Continued.

0teIdn went TO the door ana looked to right
and left. The neighborhood was one of the
last in the city to stir itself. IF Stefan felt
any anxiety regarding his master, there
was no expression in his face to mark It,
He was stolid and imperturbable; would
have remained so probably had Ellerey been
carried up the street dead on a shutter.
He grunted now and then, walked half a
dozen PAGES from the door and back to cir
culate his blood, and then leaned with his
shoulders against the wall as though he
were a fixture there until desperate neces-
sty moved him.
The boy, who turned quickly into the
street, and then came along slowly. looking
to this side and that, hardly appeared the
kind Of visitor necessary to move the SOL
| der. Stefan looked at him because there
! was no one else in the street to look at;
| but he was little interested. AS the lad
came nearer. however, the soldier became
| aware that the sleepy street was beginning
| to rouse itself. The blind in a window Of
| the house opposite was drawn aside for
moment. and face looked out The as
| pect OF the morning seemed speedily to
| satisfy, for the blind quickly fell back into
its place again. Without actually looking
| up, Stefan had seen those peering eyes.
ested in the lad, who suddenly stopped in
front of him.
Can you tell me where a Capt. Ellerey
lodges?"
| bawl for information like that until you
found him." asked the soldier gruffly.
Il spoke no louder than / always do"
| answered the boy.
| got concealed in that body Of yours. I'm
! nigh deaf with your shouting. Come with
| in the doorway. my lad, and whisper. Per-
| haps I'll catch the meaning of your ques-
xryha ynf Iyry hrn trph M
| like the cry of drunken crowd Of rioters"
| Somewhat abashed, the boy did as he
was told. and repeated his question in
| lower tone.
by strange chance he lives in this self
same house. but he's not abroad yet" said
Stefan I'VE do sometimes sleep and our
day doesn't begin at cock-crow.'
IT don't want him." said the lad, Il
want his servant Stefan"
by another strange chance he lives here,
| too. What do you want with him."
rs he abroad yet?'
"Aye. he never sleeps at ALL
II live too nigh the city for fairytales,"
said the boy. "Will you bring me to this
same Stefan? I have message for him"
Don't bawl it. lad, whisper. He's of a
delicate constitution. this stefan-I know,
for I am he.'
The boy looked doubtful for a moment
'Is that TRUTH
"I like your caution Stefan returned.
you'll succeed. whether you deal with men
or women. though the women will bring
out all your mettle, 1 warrant. Yes, truth,
I am Stefan"
IT was to give this paper to YOU =.
The soldier opened 1t and read 1t, not
without some difficulty. it seemed.
"Who gave you this?".
"a man, I know no more of him."
Good Which way lies your home?"
ION the road toward Breslen."
Good again. Get you home quickly, and
look you. my lad. should any ask what
| rand you have been on this morning. be a
fool and forget. If your memory.s too
will be spelling those fine lungs Of yours.
Hast ever heard a man try to shout with
sword thrust through him?"
mo, SIR
II have" Stefan answered. cts fear
some sound, like a whisper bubbling up
through water. I'd be sorry to hear it
from you or with you"
Stefan watched the boy out of the street,
then he went in, and striking match.
burnt the paper scattering the charred
fragments on the hearth.
Here's news that's an excuse for wine"
he said. pouring out a liberal draught into
the tankard "A man gets rusty as an old
lock with waiting. This will grease the
action somewhat
Its early hours for such refreshment,"
said a voice at the door.
Stefan winked one eye over the rim Of
the tankard at the intruder. but did not
pause In his drinking until three parts Of
the LIQUID was gone. Then he drew the
back of his hand across his beard and mus
tache and sighed with satisfaction.
Never too early to drink thanks for
good tidings. Monsieur Francois"
The Frenchman, with a quick glance
round the room. stepped in. smile upon
his lips. He had told his master more than
once that this servant of Capt Eliereys
was drunkard and fool and that little
was to be got out of him because nothing
was ever trusted to him.
"And what are the good tidings." he
asked.
don't understand my disease, Monsieur
Francois. I hate women"
Hate them! Ma fol! Then is your dis
ease very lamentable."
well there 1t isl hate them" said
Stefan, ''but there was one woman who
would not hate me, do what 1 would. She
was a bonny wench, so far as I am judge
of bigger girth than most you meet, and
with an arm Of muscle to appeal to a SOL
dier like me. At the street corner she'd
wait awhile to see me pass, and she'd re-
mark on the cut of my features and the
astalwart looks Of these legs of mine.
took no notice, but her love was proof
against trfe Of that kind. She'd make
a husband of me some day. she said. and
those that heard her told me the saying.
There's vein of superstition In my COM
position, and for months past I've been ex-
pecting her to keep her word. When q
woman's set upon matter, where's the
hole man may find safety in? Tell me
that, Monsieur Francois
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders,
thinking what fool his companion was.
This morning there comes a lad look
ing up and down the street to find me, and
he says to me, Where lives Stefan, he
who is servant to that Capt Ellerey We
hear so much about? And / answers
eunningly, knowing the value Of caution in
such times as these. At last 1 admit that
am. and he says: There's a fat woman
that's what he called her, Monsieur Fran
cos-'There's a fat woman you're afraid
of because she's going to marry YOU
sweated from every hole in my skin. think
ing the time had come. Then says he:
You needn't be afraid any more She
was married yesterday to timber-cutter
from Breslen way and he'll tame her
fast enough like you might hungry SPAR
row in winter time Good tidings, Mon
seur Francois, believe me- though I doubt
the tanning and pity the woodcutter. Why,
the muscles in her arm wouldn't blush to
be seen by the side of mine, and wood
cutter would have to cut deep into the for
est before muscles stood out like these"
And with a great laugh Stefan barred his
brawny arms for the Frenchmans inspec-
ton.
VERY beautiful" said Francois
~ believe you. Too good to waste in
fondling a woman. Ugh. What brings
you so early to the Western Cater