The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1909-02-18

XOO I i'"N
derstand that his face doesn't please
me. and for IA month past he hash I
been here. The Donjon inn has never
existed for him. He hasn't had time
been too much engaged in paylnt
court to the landlady OF the Three
Lilies at Saint Michel. A bad fellow.
There isn't an honest man who can
bear him. Why. the concierges OF the
chateau would turn their eyes away
from a picture Of him."
"The concicrges of the chateau are
honest people then"
yes, they are, as true as my names
Matthew. monsieur. | believe them TO
be honest
yet they've been arrested!'
What does that prove? But | don't
want to mix myself up In other peo-
pies affairs"
".And what do You think Of the az
fair
"Of the attack on poor Mile. Stanger-
son? A good girl. Much loved every
where in the country. That's what !
think Of it-and many things besides.
But that's nobOdy's business"
Not even mine insisted Itouleta-
bile.
The innkecpcr looked at him side
ways and said gruffly;
"Not Eve yours"
The omelet ready, We sat down at
table and were silently eating when
the door was pushed open and al old
woman. dressed in rags, leaning on a
stick, her head doddering, her white
hair hanging loosely over her wrin-
klod forehead. appeared on the TIRES
hold.
All, there you are. Mother Ange-
nouX' It's long since W. saw you
last" said our host.
Il have been very Ill, very nearly
dying" said the old III IF ever
you should have any scraps for the
Bette du Bon Dieu'-
And she entered, followed by a cat
larger than any | had ever believed
could exist. The beast looked at us
and gave so hopeless a miau that !
shuddcred. | had never heard 50
lugubrious 81 cry.
As II drawn by the cats cry Il man
followed the old woman IN. 1t was
the Green Man. lie salutcd by rails
Ing his hand TO his cap and seated
himself ut Il table near to ours.
"A glass Of cider. Daddy Matthew"
he said.
As the Green Man entered Daddy
Matthew had started violently, but Wis
IDLY mastering himself he said:
1--WE not more cider. served the
last bottles to these gentlemen"
"Then give me a glass Of white
wlne," said the Green Man without
showing the least surprise.
1--WE no more white wine-no more
said Daddy Matthew surlily.
How is Nine. MathieuT
"Quite well, thank you"
So the young woman with the large.
eyes whom we had just seen
was the wife of this repugnant and
brutal rustic, whose jealousy seemed
to emphasize his physical ugliness.
Slamming the door behind him, the
nnkeeper left the room. Mother An
,enoux was still standing, leaning on
Ter stick, the cat at her feet.
you've been Ill, Mother Angeneux?
that why We have not seen you for
he last week." asked the Green Man.
Eyes, NJ. Keeper. l have been able to
ret up but three times to 60 to pray to
It. Genevieve. our good patroness. and
he rest Of the time | have been lying
N my bed. There was no one to care
or me but the Bette du Bon Dieu!"
did she not leave your"
Neither by day nor by night"
Are you sure Of thatT'
"As l an Of paradise"
Then how vas it, Nine. Angenoux.
hat all through the night Of the muir
Ter nothing but the cry Of the Bette du
Bon Dieu was heard?"
Mother Angenoux planted herself in
front Of the forest keeper and struck
door with her stick.
II don't know anything about It,"
Dhe said. But shall l tell you some
There are no .wo cats I'm the
world that cry like that. Well. on the
night Of the murder I also heard the
Try of the Bette du Bon Dieu outside,
and yet she was on my knees and did
not new once, I swear. I crossed my
self when I heard that, as IL had
heard the devil"
/ looked at the keeper when he
put the last question, and I am much
II l did not detect an evil
on his lips. At that moment the
noise Of loud quarreling reached us.
We even thought we heard a dull
sound of blows, az II some one. was
being beaten. The Green Man quickly
and hurried to the door by the
ode Of the fireplace, but 1t was opened
By the landlord. who appeared and
said to the keeper:
Don't alarm yourself. monsieur. II
b my wife. She has the toothache."
And he laughed. "Here, Mother .Ange-
Aoux; here are some scraps for your
at"
He held out a packet to the ola wo.
man, who took It eagerly and went
put Of the door. closely followed by
her cat. .
Then you won't serve mei; asked
The Green Man.