The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-05-13

gain Win 0llap1uateQ Ola cart, Ln0
poorest and consequently the cheap
est he could find, and proceeded to
drive out to Mon Repos. The dis
lance was about three miles, the road
passing through the town and finally
plunging quite into the forest coun-
try. Monsieur Rigaud had certainly
chosen solitary spot for his repose.
Mon Repos was a large house; at
some long-forgotten period 1t might
have been a fine old chateau. There
was a centre building, with two pro-
Jecting wings, the space. forming a
small paved courtyard, bounded by
stone parapet and iron gates. It
was mossgrown and untidy, and dec
Grated by strings ON which tapped
ancient clothes to dry. The house
had slate roofs rising to an enormous
height. In front it faced the road, or
rather cart track, which determined
there, and wide green or small
field. evidently clearing, stretched
to the edge Of the forest, a distance
Of perhaps a quarter Of mile Be-
hind the old chateau there was a gar
den, surrounded by high stone walls.
In 70 direction was there any sign
of other habitation.
4At home again! Safe again. said
the old miser as he crossed the
threshold. 9Come, come. Battiste,
Nanon, are you not glad to see your.
old master back again. safe from the
dangers of the evil world?"
Monsieur is welcome. doubly well
come! said old Battiste, rubbing his
stiff hands. Monsieur has been a
long time away"
yes, a long time; and no changes
have taken place, eh?"
what changes should there be?n
said the old servant. aDo stones
change? The only change see is
in Monsieur himself"
III" very hastily. In what way?n
1We all get older. said Na1iorl.
Monsieur looks much older than he
did"
BAH" said Monsieur Rigaud.
THAT is the wear and tear of life.
come here to get young again; one
goes back centuries here; one. FOSSIL
ICES. 1t is good to be fossil: ~
Monsieur has but to consult his
own Wishes" said Battiste. what
will he eat?r
Eggs, Battiste. eggs! Eggs cost
nothing, they are nourishing. they
taste of the sweet, fresh country, and
the food that costs nothing nourishes
you doubly." +.
I go to prepare them said Bat
tiste. hurrying out
While he was preparing his mas
ter's frugal supper, Nanon stood
about hesitatingly; then making up
her mind she said quickly:
Has Monsieur seen not demoi-
seller.
Not this time, Nanon. She lives
some way on MY business did not
take me there; but she is well, she
grows up. Ha! What are you doing
with that?" he shouted. as old Nanon
moved aside the black leather case
he had under his feet. Leave IL
alone. I say! How dare you touch
it?r
His face was quite livid with anger.
Nanon looked at him with amaze
ment. Dame! Monsieur quite
frightened mel" she exclaimed.
There, take the old box; but /
thought Monsieur would like to draw
up to the table.
Bring the table to me-" he
Isnarled. F
She obeyed. and seeing it was no
time to pursue her questions, she be-
gan to lay clean napkin on the table
for his meal.
sWill Monsieur have wine or
cider?" she said.
What is the price of the cider
now?v aae
Three sous, Monsieur; that is the
price, said Nanon, smoothing the
napkin.
Then get me litre of cider. And
stay. Were my directions about that
door carried out?"
Yes, Monsieur. to the letter. MY
brother-in-law himself did IL, and
they laughed over it. l can ten you.
Laughed? What did the fools
find to laugh at?r
Dame! Monsieur. At such pre-
cautions against thieves, when there
is nothing to steal
"Ha! Hal" chuckled old Monsieur
Rigaud. Nothing to loss Yes, yes,
they are right there; but, after all.
everyone values his own life, and
mine is a valuable life. ! would not
lose it lightly"
1T would hardly be worth anyone's
while to attempt it. Monsieur said
Nanon.
How? Not worth while?p
Mot worth the galleys, Ell? Eah!
These precautions have cost money,
and for what? Monsieur is as safe at
Mon Repos as the tower of Notre
Dame"
They have cost money. eh?" said