The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-19
L'HOMME SANS FIGURE By AzszRz sozsszERE
(THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE
A FACE)

easily. 1 had reckoned without nv
most was calmly enjoying a calm
which. alas! was not to be for long.
kingsley came every day TO ST
Mande. and Marcadiah called once a
week. Things went along smoothly.
one frosty morning when the weather
was clear and bright, we had Just fin
ished our chocolate. and William asked
me TO go for a drive with him. He had
ordered risky colt. and an English
dogcart from the livery stables IN TIE
Rue de Paris. be intended driving to
Bry-sur-Marne 10 see the little villa
where the sculptor Ba-rabas had lived.
Marcadian had given him the keys.
As may be imagined, / was not inGif-
ferent 20 such an invitation. The
thought Of seeing my little cottage
again filed me with a strange emo
ton
lyon know" said the doctor. chat
the AFFAIR is as far from solution as
ever. The police despair OF ever clear
ing the mystery. IL is believed 10 have
been a terrible accident. OF which the
ensuing results We're no less terrible
the suicide Of the victims husband and
son."
He touched the horse with the end
of the whip, and We trotted or smart
" in the direction OF Nogent.
Poor little Evelyne," he said, IN a
plying tone, "she is the real victim Of
that tragedy. am glad to think that
my love for her is not merely a selfish
love. as mans love usually is. This
seems a sort OF duty and love COM
bined."
such sentiments do you credit. VIII
lam" replied, as I drew of my fur
gloves TO refill my pipe. The sharp
frost pricked my fingers like needles,
and seized the occasion to TX of the
weather, so as TO change the subject. I
could not tell why, but I felt q vague
unrest at Williams words.
1 wanted 20 think. I wanted that ST.
lenCe which. coming upon US, makes
the smallest echo perceprible IN the
depth of a tortured soul.
We crossed lie Perreux and reached
the Bry bridge.
II seemed to me al this instant that
I had dual personality. and that 1
was going to visit al old friend whom
the village people called The King
Of Fools"
In turning the avenue on the left. !
recognized old TaDe a rOeil. the retired
army officer. He was returning from
his morning constitutions, and when
we stopped before my little hCurse, with
its closed shutters. looking sad and
neglected under the Withered creepers
I could hear behind the hedge Mother
Care calling her chickens, as she threw
handfuls Of grain about her yard
felt how empty my heart was now,
I he weak tears rose to my eyes, and
fer a moment / thought should betray
NY daughters f1ance, by an irony OF
fate. showed me tie way TO my own
house.
Down this passage, please, the scuIp-
tor had his studio of the end wing"
I followed him meekly, like a stranger,
who finds himself in an unfamiliar
place. I looked as indinerently as
could into the different rooms where ]
had lived all my life. where I had spent
years Of calm happiness with my wife,
Gabrielle. and our two children.
Look" said the doctor. this is the
studio; here is the statue Of Life that
the artist was working on. His wife
posed for II. Evelyne and her uncle
have given orders that nothing should
be touched in this room. OF course, we
shall never live in this cottage: neither
viii anyone else, as long as we live"
1 was unable to speak. 1 stood before
the glistening white statue, my eyes
riveted on the dear face. which spoke
to me across the stretch Of time; It
seemed TO thank me with its enigmati-
cal mouth.
I was moved beyond all expression,
and the doctor probably noticed It, in
spite of all the efforts that l made, 10
conceal my Ieeiings- But he evidently
put my emotion down to my artistic
admiration for the statuary.
81 see you admire it. ! think Il IS a
beautiful piece Of work. He was very
talented
"I like the statue" said. quietly,
as ] sat down You say that your
1ancee and her uncle are going 10
leave the place always Just as II was
1T is their wish. And. naturally. ]
shall not oppose their wishes
You are right, William: il is a touch
ing attention TO the dead TO keep this
spot intact"
I hlled my eyes With the sight of my