Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-30


companion. This person the landlord
eyed askance; nevertheless, with a
show of bluff heartiness, he led the
way to a 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 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 adj
dress man Of prodigious girth, who
drank with much gusto from huge
vessel at his elbow.
did not your father, Pierre La.
roche, tell you?"
"He? No; all he thinks Of is the
money"
"Then must le capitaine speak for
himself, Mistress Nanette."
You are not very polite, Monsieur
Gabarie," she returned. tossing her
head; but suppose there is rea-
son; you have been beaten. In an en-
counter with the Governors ships?
Did you sink any Of them? 1t would
be good news for US islanders"
"You islanders!" derisively.
eyes, islanders!" she answered de-
family. But tell me; a number Of
you wear patches. which make you
look Very ugly. They were acquired
how?"
'Tn a little clerical argument"
growled the poet.
She glanced toward the secluded
apartment; its occupants-the subject
Of their conversation, and priest,
feeble.looking man Of about seventy,
whose delicate. sad face shone white
and out-of-keeping in that adventure
some company. "At any rate, the
Black Seigneur hasn't lost his good
looks!"
"Take care you don't lose your
heart!"
BAIL" Her strong bold eyes
swept back. Much good it would Go
mel"
"And for that reason"
"Messieurs!" the landlords voice
broke in upon them; behold" it
seemed to say, as pushing through
the company, he preceded lanlky lad
who bore by their legs many plucked
fowls and birds-woodcock, wild
duck, cliff pigeons-and made his way
10 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
a poulet from the hand of the lanky
attendant and prepared to adjust it;
but before doing so. prodded it with
his finger, surveyed it critically, and
held it up for admiring attention.
"Who says old Pierre Laroche
doesn't know how to care for his
friends? What think you of 1t, my
masters?"
Plump as the Kings confessor,"
muttered the poet.
"Or your King himself" said one of
the islanders.
ION with the King! skewer the
KING" exclaimed fierce voice.
"And then We'll 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,
looked down to regard them; the red
fire; the red gown.
Here, at least, will you find safe
asylum, Father" said his companion,
the Black Seigneur, in an absent tone;
"a little rough, perhaps. tot suit your
calling"
"The rougher, the more suitable
as I've often had occasion to learn
since leaving Verranch."
"Since being driven from 1t, you
meant" shortly.
"Ah, those revolutionary documents
placed in my garden!"
"To make you appear--you, Father!
"a sanguinary character!" But the
others laugh rang false.
ALAS, such wickedness! But was
too content; the rose-covered cottage
too comfortable; its garden, an Eden!
1t was more meet l should be driven
forth; go out into the highways, where
found-such misery! l reproached
myself l had not sought it 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 1t
has occupied him-a blessed privi-
lege-"
And them" 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 more! The little
church; Gods acre at its side; to
stand on the hill at Verranch and look
out a last time over the beautiful
vale toward the Mount" Briefly he