The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-08-31
CHAPTER Vl-continued.

In a direct and businesslike method
AS to this method, a dozen extrava-
giant courses Of action occurred to me
at once. OF the dozen / selected two
as possible.
Every English gentleman comes OF
a race of warriors" the mysterious
woman of the reading room had said
to me last night Miss Brett, being an
Englishwoman, had the blood OF sol
diers in her veins. The physical cour-
age of the battlefield, then, must ap- |
peal to her. II, for instance. should |
enlist In the Foreign Legion, there
was the Legion Of Honor to be won.
The little ribbon would tell III eio-
1uent story.
But Wil,oughby'5 life had been lost
amid the dread silence OF the white
snows. / looked long and earnestly
where the sun touched the mountain
top with a rosy light out OF the morn
ing mists. The mountains seemed to
lbeckon, to wait for me-
I had shuddered-I still shuddered,
rs thought OF their awful gloom and
loneliness. And yet they seemed to
beckon-to wait for me. had been
helpless and weak. They had con-
ouered me. Well, must return to
conquer them. Their very immensely
need not appal me. Mans glory Is TO
subdue the vast forces OF nature-to
make them his own.
/ thought OF the Hospice OF ST.
Bernard. There for centuries men
had even laid down their lives to save
the perishing. Well. why should not
be one of the little band for the time
being? Why should I not become a
novitiate in the order? A few months
of arduous training. and should be
ready for the battle
III went to the monastery and told
the good father superior OF the sacred
vow I had made, would he laugh at
me for a mailman, or would he under
stand and help me to fulfill 1t?
I began the day. therefore. vaguely
hopeful. / no longer permitted my.
self to be troubled at the whispers OF
servants and guests. l even courteo
the society of my fellowmen. paid
nv two francs admission to the kur
saal and listened with real enjoyment
20 its excellent orchestra
MY coat was lightly brushed
There was a faint but exquisite per
fume. I glanced. as did doze1
Others, at the woman who was pass
ing.
The small, but superbly poised Nd
ure. gt,wned with a marvellous sim
ul,city, paused by my side Fraction
of a second. It was my acquaintanc
OF the reading room again. and sn
had murmured good morning.
dozen had noted the greeting ana 81
We'd me-.
did not return it. She continue
ner way daintily, Furnishing me for m
rudeness by smiling across at m
mockingly as she seated herself
my right. There was something OF
childish, almost fairy malice In tn
Elusive smile.
The intermission came. All Il
world pushed back their chairs, an
made their way through glazed dool
at the rear, whence an electric De
rang persistently. The motley crow
Of oficers. tourists, and such OF II
society OF Lucerne as was at u
tursaal passed through the glaze
doors to play the petits chevaux-
rather harmless form OF dissipatio
a gambling toy that permits one
lose at the most five-franc piece.
I mingled with the crowd about Il
Ureeu-baize table on which the lit
metal horses were whirling around
smapinary race course. A croupi
changed q 50-franc note for me.
tossed coin on one OF the number
and lost. l staked another coin. q
time against the field. Again l 10
staked all my hve-franc pieces .
two.
While / weighed them thoughtful
An my palm. my arm was touch
3,ghtly. 1t was my adventures
the reading room once more.
sifted her eyebrows In whimsical G.
Germ at my Ill luck.
Even these little horses. you .
madam, Know that am to
ehunned," said in low voice.
my friend" she smiled, vivscio
Nv. ..they are simply frightened
your black face. They are sensiti
xhe little horses. But If yo1 Goa
we shall see. Allons. we VIII be
dent, little shining franc on mum
n. Now. II my brave horses Q
know that it is who am asking tn
to win for us, we shall win."
me rien va plus" croaked an
4cial in a dingy dress suit and crump
shirt bosom. He spun the mechanl
oriskly between two bony fingers
thumb. The tiny jockeys In blue. b
ga rad snad swiftly arnl