Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-07-02
CHAPTER Y.

Constable had been physically unhurt
in his thirty years, and the exertions of
the past four days had worn little more
than the polish from his vitality. In
stead of relaxing in the crisis of the news
paper revelation, his body righted under
the whip of pride, and he strobe down
into the city as one who has slipped
burden. He had been beaten in a battle
with a woman. Butcher had come to
Mrs. Stansbury's aid at the last moment,
in the shape of newspapers from the
north. From Lara, however, and not the
mother, had come the most crippling blow
of ALL 1t was Lara who had handed him
the newspaper. She did not wait, nor
ask. Around this item, Constable built
a Gloom-structure of baronial proportions.
His attitude toward Breen was very
simple. He would not betray his guest
for all the newspapers and police in
Chrstendom. Having waived Breen's
offer to detail the particulars of his past,
during the first night of acquaintance.
Constable certainly could not reproach
the other for misrepresenting himself.
1t was ten-thirty in the morning when
he sent a message out to Captain Negley.
countermanding sailing orders. and enclos-
ing a cheerful note to Crusoe, containing
draft for the stipulated amount At the
bank he also left second sum for Faith
er Damien, and procured considerable cur
rent paper for his own uses. His mind
moved in a light, irresponsible fashion.
1t was as if he were obsessed at quick
intervals, one after another, by mad kings
who dared anything, and whom no one
dared refuse. His brain kept the great
sorrow in the background, and occupied
itself with striking articles. While aware
that in losing Miss Stansbury and the
privilege of protecting her, the meaning
and direction of his life was gone, still
Constable did not yet sense the fuIlness
of the visitation. His was not a wound
to heal by first intention; and in bad
hurts pain assumes command leisurely
and in order.
He plunged into a crowd in the market
place, and began to talk to the natives
whimsically, but to the purpose of start
ing them toward Fort de France, adding
that Father Damien would care for them
generously there. Il do not say that this
is the last day of Saint Pierre" he ex-
claimed in French, ''but | declare TO Won
that if ever planet looked as if she were
about to spring leak, Mother Earth has
the symptoms localized in Pelee!''
Constables eyes had fixed upon car
riage passing along the edge of the
crowd Now he moved toward it quick
" and seized the bride. Despite the pro-
testatious of the driver, he led the vehicle
into the good view of all. His face was
red with the heat and ashine with laugh
ter and perspiration. Alarm and merri-
ment mingled in the native throng. All
eyes followed the towering figure of the
American, now bowed before the swinging
door of the carriage-and NJ Mondet.
This, dear friends" Constable resum-
ed, as one would produce rabbit from
a silk hat-"this, you all perceive, is
YOUR little editor of Les Colonies. Is he
not bright and clean and pretty? He is
very fond of American humor. See how
the little editor laughs.'
The Frenchman was really afraid His
smile was yellowish-gray and of sickly
contour His article relative to the Amer
lean appealed to him now, entirely strip
ped of the humor with which it was
fraught yesterday, as he composed it in
L
of cracking French and restless hands
would stop at nothing. N. Mondet pic
tured himself being picked up for dead
presently. As the blow did not fall in
simultaneously, he amended the picture
with the sorry thought that he was to
be played with before being dispatched
This is the little man who tells you
that Saint Pierre is in no danger-who
SCOTS at those who have already gone
Constable informed his hearers, now hold
ing up the Frenchman's arm. as a referee
upraises the whip of winning fighter.
He says there is no more peril from
Pelee than from an old man shaking ashes
out of his pipe. Yesterday l proposed to
wager my ship against NJ. Mondet's rolled
top desk that he was wrong. but there
was difficulty in the way. Do you not
see, dear friends. that if 1 won the wager,
should not be able TO distinguish be-
tween NJ. Mondet's rolled-top desk and
NJ. Mondet's cigarette case in the ruins of
Saint Pierre? You would not think that
such a small white person could contain
so much poison"
There had been a steady growing from
the mountain.
"Ah!" Constable suddenly exclaimed,