Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-11-30
WITH = = s'G: y, .. tn:
THE REGENT S o9sa'' E2st Dy
Copyright by --J B. Lppmot Company Stevenson
P i.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CAR
TOUCHE.
J. B. Lippincott Company

S>AAs
TOUCHE.
Night had already come as I drew
my cloak more closely about me and
stepped forth into the street. 1 had
fingered long over my meal, as a man
will who has been alone all the day
and sees little chance OF companion
ship before him. For In all the city
j knew no one. n there seemed small
prospect of the night bringing any en-
jcyment With it. 1 turned to the left,
away from That dingy house in the Rue
Eailleul. which was the only home l
had thus far found in Paris. deter
mined to forget for a time at least.
Its narrow entrance leading to the
dirty interior court. where Il thousand
odors struggled ceasclessly for mas
terry: the lark staircase mounting
room. which q single weeks occupancy
had sui1iced to render loathscnc to
NO. All. it was differert from the wide.
sweet valley of the Lci4e.
at the outset of my career in Paris
I had been confronted by a problem
which demanded Immediate solution.
/ might lodge well and dress poorly.
or i might dress we'll and lodge poor
ly. but l had not money enough to do
both we'll. After mature elaboration
I had chosen the latter course and OK
pended my money upon my wardrobe.
reasoning that all the world would
notice NY attire. while no onc would
in the Rue Daillcu! had not yet re-
covered from the establishment with
which my advent had filed them. and
still gazed wcndcringiy and suspicious
ly after me whenever / CHANGED to
pass.
So I strobe through the night away
from that shabby garnet, end as /
went l thought somewhat bitterly of
the high hopes I had brought with
me to the city Il week bcfolc-hopes
OF adventure and glory, after the fash
ion. doubtless. OF every youth who
came to Paris from the proviilces, but
a week had passed with NJ adventure,
and as for glory, it seemed farther away
han ever. In faith, those same hopes
We're about ny only possession, a fact
brought painfully to my attention
when l had opened my purse 10 min
utes since to pay my score, and some
thing must needs happen soon Orwell,
I had seen u man taken from the
Seine the day before and his face
seened peaceful. at least. 1 would
never go back to tho narrow life which
I had always hated.
A splash into Il pool of mud brought
me out Of my thoughts. l stopped
ognize the street. which seemed q very
squalid one. The dilapidatel wooden
buildings with their plasteTca fronts
tottered together over my head. A pu-
trid stream filled the GENITAL gutter,
giving forth az odor which reminded
me fcrcibly of the court below my
window. l started to rctracc my steps
and return to q more inviting quarter
of the City when q hand WAS laid sud
denly upon my shoulder.
An. monsis'ir." said a pleassn.
way"
Ills not a difficult task ia Paris."
I replied. and as l did so. threw cfr the
mans hand ANA stopped quickly fack
to have my sword arm free IN case
OF need.
81 should be pleased to conduct NOR
continued tho voice. the face g waosc
owner 1 tried in vain to distinguish.
"a thousand thanks" 1 answered.
''If monsieur will tell me the shortest
way of reaching the Rue st. Denis l
need trouble him no further"
to the right. then onward three blocks
and monsieur is there" said my
strange companion. M then as l
turned away. There is y for,nality
which monsieur has overlooked"
And what Is that" 1 questioned
sharply.
"Monsieur's purse. No gentleman
ever leaves the presence of Cartuuche
with his purse in his possession"
"And is this Cartouche?' asked.
more to gain time than for any other
reason, for light as my purse was. l
could i'll afford to part with it. even
to the most famous thief in Paris.
"Assuredly." answered the fellow n
he held out his hand with an air of
| nonchalance which ~exaspcrated me.
Cartouche's fame had Travelled far, and
he had spoken truth when he said that
all men with whom he talked left their
purses with him. yet I was In mood
a man were better G than penni-
less.
II fear that you will rave to break
your rule in this instance. monsieur"
I said. after a moments silence, dur
ing which his attitude had lost nothing
of its gay assurance. THE contents
Of my purse are Of Infinitely greater
Hence l must beg leave to retain 1t"
docs monsieur count the cost?" he
asked. quie thy.
Fully" I answered. and, leaping
back a PATE, drew nay sword and stood
on guard. At the same instant he
placed a whistle to his lips and blew
one shrill blast. I heard the sound of
Fastening footsteps. and half a dozen
blackguards, who had doubtless beer
concealed neal by, were upon me, while
Cartouche stood calmly to one side and
| watched the conflict. The foremost ran
on my sword as upon a spit, and as he
fell with a single sobbing cry. l stepped
the others a warm argument. Yet I
knew 1 must be Overpowered in the
| end by sheer weight of numbers, and Il
was reputed that Cartouche had only
one penalty for resistance. For some
minutes l managed to keep the space