The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-05-05


some uncertainty In his demeanor.
Then he stops. He has evidently been
mistaken. Yes, for he returns over the
road we had come and takes the way
to the left which suddenly, about a
hundred steps. onward, brings us to
circle; Noiraud, with is nose in the
air, invites me to contemplate the
very respectable height of the unscal.
able wall of rock that surrounds the
circle.
When he thinks have admired this
sufficiently, he turns about face and
we again take our way through the
wood. Noiraud had forgotten to show
me the circle of rocks, small omis-
sion which had been quickly repaired.
The road soon becomes very hilly,
uneven and difficult. l advance slowly,
with infinite precaution. Noiraud
bounds lightly from rock to rock, but
he never leaves me. He waits for me
and casts looks of the most tender
solicitude upon me. Finally COM
mence to hear something like bub.
bling spring. Noiraud barks joyously.
Courage" he says to me, courage.
We are nearly there. You will see the
Chaudron."
It is really the Chaudron. A foun-
tain modest enough, of height equal
ly modest, falls with gushing and re-
bounding in a great rock slightly hol-
lowed out | would never have con-
soled myself for my effort to see this
mediocre marvel if had not hao as a
companion the brave Noiraud who
was much more interesting and re-
markable than the Chaudron.
On each side of the spring, in two
little Swiss chalets, were installed
two dairies, attended by two Swiss
maidens, one blonde, one brunette,
both wearing the national costume.
Each expectantly awaits my arrival on
the threshold of her box of a house.
1t seems to me that the blonde has the
prettiest eyes, and | make three or
four steps toward her side when Mol
raud, Barking furiously, bars the way.
| change my direction. That is well.
Noiraud is appeased as by enchant-
ment when he sees me seated at ta-
BILE before the quarters of his young
protegee. l ask foa up of milk. The
friend of Noiraud enters her little
handbook and Noiraud follows her. The
wretch! He is served before myself.
1t is for him she pours great cup of
milk. He has been bribed.
After this, with the white drops
suspended from his mustaches, Mol
raud comes to bear me company and
to see me drink my milk. | give him
a lump of sugar. Then we too, abso-
lutely satisfied one with the other, fill
ing our lungs with the pure air of the
mountains, pass perfectly delicious
half-hour.
Noiraud commences to show signs
of impatience and agitation. | read
him now like an open book. 1t is nee
esssary to leave. rouse myself and
advance toward the right-hand path
by which we ascended the mountain.
Noiraud goes toward another road at
the left. He casts a glance serious and
severe upon me. What progress have
made in the last two hours and how
familiar the silent eloquence of Mol
raud has become to me!
What opinion have you of me?''
says Noraud. "Do you think / am 60
ing to allow you to pass twice over
the same route? No, indeed | am a
good guide. know my business. We
will go down by another path"
We descend by another way, which
is much prettier than the first. Mol
raud. brimming over with joy, fire.
quently turns to me with an air OF
triumph. We go through the village to
the railway station. Noiraud is as
sailed by three or four dogs who ap-
pear in the humor to have a romp
with their comrade. They try to stop
him but Noiraud, growing, repress-
es their advances.
do you not see what | have to do?
l must take this gentleman to the sta
tion."
1t is only when | am in the waiting
room that he consents to separate
himself from me, after having eaten
the last two morsels of sugar. This is
how interpret his parting salute.
1--WE are here 20 minutes before
train-time. 1t is never by me you would
lose your train. Go on goodbye,
good-bye!"