The Lamar register., 1912-09-18


res. In the popular mind his name
became synonymous with cruelty, but,
on his high throne. he continued to
exercise his autocratic prerogative
and cared not what the people
thought
Meanwhile. the Seigneur Desaurac.
recovering. became a prey to greater
restlessness: no sooner was he able
to get about. than. accompanied By .
faithful servant. Sanchez. he left the
neighborhood, and. for a number Of
years. led q migratory existence in
continental capitals. The revolt OF
the colonies in America and the news
OF the contemplated departure OF the
brave Lafayette for the seat of hos
Titles. offered. at least. a pr,text to
break the letters Of a purposeless
life. At once he placed his sword at
Lafayette's disposal. and packed him.
self and servitor-a fellow OF dog
like hdelity-across the ocean. There,
at the seat OF wars alarms, in the
great conflict waged in the name OF
liberty. he met q soldiers end, far
from the field OF his ancestors.
sapchez. the man. buried him. and,
having dutifully performed this last
task. walked away from the grave
and out OF the army.
During this while the son by the
peasant woman. intrusted to an old
fishwife who had been allowed to
usurp patch of his fathers lands,
received scanty care and attention,
even when the stipulated fees for his
maintenance had continued to come:
but when. at the Seigneur's death,
they ceased. any slight solicitude on
the caretaker's part soured to acri-
mony. An offspring OF dubious par.
entage, she begrudged him his bread;
kept him from her own precious
brood. and taught them to address him
as brat" ''pauper." or by terms even
more forcible. Thus set upon, fire.
quently he fought; but like young
wolves. hunting in packs. they wor.
ried him to the earth, and, when he
continued to struggle. beat him to un-
consciousness, II not submission.
One day. after such an experience
at the hands Of those who had par.
taken Of the Seigneur's Iiberality, the
boy. all bruised and aching. fled to
the woods. and, with the instinct OF
an animal to hide, buried himself in
Its deepest recesses. Night came; en-
comprised by strange sounds, un-
known terrors. he crept to the verge
OF tho forest, and lying there, looked
out across the distance toward the
scattered habitations, visible through
the gloom. One tiny yellow dot of
he
glance. Should he return? That
small stone hut. squalid as it was,
had been his only remembered home.
But the thought of the reception that |
awaited him there made him hest
tate; tie stars coming out, seemed to |
lend courage to his resolution. and.
with his face yet turned toward the |
low long strip of land. sprinkled with |
the faint, receding points of light. he
fell asleep.
The earliest shafts of morn, how
ever. awaking him, sent him quickly
BACK Into the dark forest. where all
DAY ne kept to the most shadowy
screens and covers. fearing he should
be followed, and. perhaps. captured.
But the second night was like the
first. the next like the second. and the
Gays continued to pass with no signs
OF pursuit. Punched by hunger, GER
tain OF the berries and roots he ate
poisoned him. until in time he profited
by his suferings and learned to dis
criminate In his choice of the frugal
rare about him. Not that his appe-
lite was ever satisfied. even when he
extended his explorations to the
beach at night. digging in the sand
with his fingers for cookies, or prowl-
ing about the rocks for mussals.
Yet, despite all. he Rugged to his
breast compromising sense of lib
erty; the biting tooth of autumn was
preferable to the stripes and tongue
'ashings. OF the old life: and. II now