The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-25

~SAAPoAaoh' luis PcIbOu tue lduulOTQ
eyed askance; nevertheless, with a
show Of blum heartiness, he led the
way to small chamber, somewhat
apart. but overlooking the long low
apartment. the general eating and
drinking place Of the establishment,
now filled by the crew and a number
OF the islanders.
Your capitaine has been hurt?
How?" A strapping. handsome girl,
clad In red and Of assured mien, pass
Ing across the room. paused to ad.
dress q man Of prodigious girth. who
drank with much gusto from q huge
vessel at his elbow.
Did not your father, Pierre La.
roche. tell your"
"He' No; all he thinks of 10 the
money"
"Then must 10 capitaine speak for
himself. Mistress Nanette."
"You are not very polite. Monsieur
Gabarie." she returned. tossing her
head; but l suppose there is a rea.
son; you have been beaten. In an en-
counter with the Governors ships
Did you sink any Of them! 1t would
bs good news for US islanders"
"You islanders!" derisively.
"Yes. islanders!" she answered de-
nanuy. But tell me; q number Of
you wear patches. which make you
look very ugly. They were acquired
howf"
I'm . little clerical argument!"
growled the poet
6hc glanced toward the secluded
apartment: its oocupants-ths subject
Of their conversation. and q priest,
fsehle-looking man Of about seventy.
Whose delicate. sad face shone white
and out-ct-keeping In that adventure
some company. AT any rate, the
Black seigneur hasn't lost his good
looksi"
Take care you don't lose your
heartl"
"Bah!" Her strong bold eyes
swept back. Much good 1t would do
mel"
And for that reason"
"Messieursl" the landlords voice
broke In upon them; behold" It
seemed to say, as pushing through
the company. be preceded q lanky lad
who bore by their legs many plucked
fowls and birds-woodcock, wild
duck. cliR pigeons-and made his way
to the great open fireplace at one end
OF the room. There. bending over the
glowing embers, the landlord delib.
erately stirred and spread them; then,
reaching for bar Of steel. he selected
o poulet from the hand Of the lauky
attendant and prepared to adjust It:
but before doing 50, prodded 1t with
bis finger, surveyed II critically, and
held 1t up for admiring attention.
Who says old Pierre Laroche
doesn't know how to care for his
friends! What think you OF II, my
masters?"
Plump a. the Kings confessor,"
muttered tho poet.
"Or your King himself!" said one OF
the islanders.
"On with the King! skewer the
kira!" exclaimed q fierce voice.
And then well eat him!" laughed
the girl. showing her white teeth.
"Thoughtless children!" From his
place at the table In the small room
adjoining. the priest, attracted by the
grim merriment Of the islanders.
locked down to regard them; the red
fire; the red gown.
Here. at least, will you nnd safe
asylum. Fatter," said his companion.
the Black Seigneur, In an absent tone !:
a little rough. perhaps. to suit your
calling"
The rougher, the more suitable
as I've often had occasion to learn
since leaving Verranch."
Since being driven from It. you
mean!" shortly.
"Ah. those revolutionary documents
placed In my gardep!"
TO make you appsar--you. Father!
"a sanguinary characteri" But the
others laugh rang false.
Alas, such wtckedness! But I was
too content: the rose-covered cottage
too comfortable; its garden. an Eden
II was more meet I should be driven
forth; go out into the highways. where
! found-such misery! I reproached
myself / had not sought Il sooner
voluntarily. From north TO south
peasants dying. women and children
starving. no one to administer the last
rites-on every side. work. work for
the outcast priest! For ten years It
has occupied him-a blessed privi-
lege-"
And then" the young man. who
had seemed absorbed In other
thoughts. hardly listening. looked me
chanically up. you came back?"
"A weakness Of age! To see the
old place once morei The little
church. Coda acna NJ ixa ola. 20