The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-11-04
CHAPTER Nv.

~ NO doubt the most absurd thing
~ could have done after the
~ departure OF Professor Kere-
dec and bis singular friend
would have been TO settle myself be-
fore my canvas again with the inten-
tom OF painting. and that iS what .
did. At least. resumed my camp
stool and went through some or the
motions habitually connected with the
act OF painting. -MM. H.a. -"5
In fine, sat there brush padding
my failure like an automaton and say.
ing over and over aloud: What IL
wrong with him? What In wrong with
him?" .. - '.-..
1 came out OF my varicolored study
with start. caused by the discovery
that | had absentmindedly squeezed
upon my palette the entire contents or
an expensive tube of covaIt violet.
The turpentine rag at least proved
effective. secured away the last
tokens OF my failure with Id. wishing
that life were like the canvas and that
lestial turpentine. After that | clean
ed my brushes. packed and shouldered
my kit and. with final imprecation
upon all sausage sandwiches. took up
my way once more to Les Trois ri
geons.
Striding along at good gait and
chanting generously. lon Linden when
the sun was low" left the rougher
boscages Of the forest behind me and
emerged just at sunset upon an or
derby fringe of woodland where the
ground was neat and unincumbered
and the trimmed trees stood at polite
distances. bowling slightly to one an
other with small. we'll bred rustiings.
4 stood upon Quesnay ground.
Before me stretched a short, broad
avenue OF turf. leading to the chateau
gates. A slope was terraced with
strips of flower gardens and intervals
of sward, and against the green of a
rising lawn | marked the figure OF a
woman pausing to bend over some
towering bush. The lady upon the
slope was Nine. d. Armand, the inspira-
ton OF Amedee's Monster has much
to live for
Once more this day Endorsed that
worthy mans opinion, for, though |
was too far distant to see clearly. |
knew that roses trimmed Nine. d Ar
mand's white hat and that she had
passed me no long time since I'm the
forest.
had come far out OF my way. 10 .
retraced my steps to the intersections
of the paths and thence made Tor the
inn by my accustomed route. Not far
along the road from where 4 came into
1t stood an old. brown. deep matched
cottage. branch OF brushwood over
the door prettily reckoning travellers
TO the knowledge that cider was here
for the thirsty. and as 4 drew near /
perceived that one awaited himself or
the invitation. A group stood about
the open door, the lamplight from
within disclosing the head or the houSp
filling a cup for the wayfarer.
The latter was most mundane ana
elaborate wayfarer indeed-a small
young man very lightly made. like a
jockey and point device in Khaki. put
tees pongee cap. white and green
stock, a knapsack on his back and 4
bamboo stick under his arm. He spoke.
though with detestable accent. in ]
rough and ready, picked up dialect ot
Partisan slang. while Pere Raudry
contributed his share or the couvtrsi
spoke at the same time end neither
understood two consecutive words m
other said. il struck me that the dia-
doGue might prove unproductive of anT
highly important results this side 'f
MichaelmaS Therefore. afdiSrOvRrin- Nj
that the very pedestrian SpntenIa'
was making some sort OF inquiry rnH
corning Les TroiS Pigeons. : cam" e.
halt ana preferred MD. aMN ~n Nn@
Are you looking for Nine. Bros
sard's?" asked IT'D English.
The traveller uttered an exclamat inn
md faced about with d jump. ora
like for quickness.
Say" BE- responded In u voice or
unpleasant nasality. finally deciding
upon speech. you're 'NummerIc'n. amt
you:"
WY. "Yes.' u returned. II thought 4
heard yon inquiring for
Well. n friend. you can sting me"
he interrupted with understanding
jocularity. my style French does fr
them camels VIII Ara Paris all night
But down .here. / don't seem TO BE- gud
enough f'r these sheep dogs. Any
way. they bark different I'm lukkin'
fer u hotel called Les TroiS Pigeons"
lpointed TO the lights o. the Inn
dickerIng across the fields. "Yonder
beyond the second turn OF the road M
"Oh. | amt goin' there might! It's
TOO dark t' see anything now" me- IT,
marked. Dives and the choo-choO
back MI little OIL Trouville fr mime.
] on'y wanted to take lux ut this
pigeon house J0Tnta~