The Washington times., 1912-10-31
CHAPTER XIV.
The Deserted Cottage.

CHAPTER XIV.
The Deserted Cottage. i
- EvENTEEN months after David
Rylance parted from Anne and
4 started for the KIondike Pan
coast entered the little tavern of
Fayal.
II was nearly dusk on q beautiful day
who were wont to spend their evenings
IN ma, ESyars place had Just begun to as
Three Of these were preparing to seat
themselves when Pancoast approached
Not here-not here, monsieur" said
one abruptly. DO you not see my
friends and / are preparing for play7"
pancoast flushed angrily: :.
angrily. May not sit where pleased"
You win sit at no table with me.
monsieur" Gervois said defantly.
This is the table at which ! have
been wont to SIT for twenty years."
"Ah, well, then II is high time you
gave place to Others" said Felix Gre
Pancoast's face wa. lIvid now.
What does it mean7 Am / no longer
desirable patron Of your placer
Fayal. shrugglng hts shoulders. cross
ed the floor in the direction OF the door.
M. Pancoast is free to come'-or CO."
II things are not to your liking here.
you may go to the deserted cottage on
the HILL" Gervois muttered. =. i,
Pancoast gave a start. go"
n Mme f Msreh.nss fr e% among
True, monsieur" Grenaud said. I'VE
heel and started toward the door.
A low exclamation from Fayal. who
was standing in the doorway. caused
all eyes to turn In his direction.
Holy Heaven, what is this?" the inn
let me pass Faysi-I've done with
you and your card-shuffiipg crowd
said Pancoast, who found his way
blocked by the portly back Of the Inn
afhe dst,l-no!" exclaimed F.yal.
Let me pass. I say" Pancoast do
you had better stay, monsieur. pro.
tested Fayai quietly. laying a restrain
ing hand on one OF the arms Of the
There was somethins in the suddenly
Pancoss. and the 81 Others to look at him
with an expression Of wonder.
Fayai closed the door, then he led
Pancoast to the screen that covered the
lower Gof half ih. o. the ss iS Sss doorpane'
Glancing in the direction indicated by
Fayars extended finger. Pancoast saw 8
man slowly descending the steps thai
led down from r! IT. the he, cottage, =, on the ciin
A low. hoarse,. incoherent cry fcl
from Pancoosts lips. and, still graspet
BY the strong hand Of Fayai, he tot
The card. players rose with such hast,
as to ,overturn one of the tables.
What is II, Fayal?' asked Grenaud.
Fsyars face grew grave and long, al
~, IN i;,, Msrchaud has returned to sss'
A low murmur rose from tho card
players, and with one accord they has
tened to the door.
HE is coming here" Gervois ex
AYE" Grenaud assented in a Low
| voice aye, he Is coming here.
He TUNED to look at Pancoast, but thu
money-lender had disappeared.
now approached Fayars door. 1t wa!
Ryiance. He wore neatly-fitting sacl
suit and a black hat. His face wa
gray and seta and before he had crosoet
Upon peroeiving Fayai, Rylance nod
ded but did not speak. Fayal held on
his hand. Rylance did not see IT.
vo, coT ,Sat m sh %SnSieSt tte Fayai said in
The innkeeper held the door. open Will
Rylance entered 1t. As the husband 9
Anne Marchand crossed the threshol
he saw the expressions ssors Of Sf,I honest pit
Where is she?'' Rylance asked hir
In a dry, hard voice.
Mime, Marchand left last week-fo
England" Fayal said.
he. ht,r ttaar nf xyln M
"For England" he exclaimed.
yes. monsieur. with her wer
rherese. and the red-haired Englishma
whom you once saw here-the man VIII
came seeking Jean Bregaut"
Il shall and her, them" he murmuret
where Is Conrade7"
HE died last winter. He was an oil
Ryiance turned his hagsard face t.
1.-THE house-the eottager' he aske
feebiy. why is the cottage empty
All the furniture lure, is gone sTS q. pv,.n,
glanced searchinsiy at the members {
the little group around him they averte
"Pancoast owns the cottage now.
said Fayai quietly, as no began to VIII
'"Ah" sighed Rylanee. looking at u
floor. Then the mortgage was NJ
paidT
"Ah. no, monsieur. The mortgage wa
not paid"
Gervois stepped forward.
monsieur, do you not know that yo
nave been reported deadg' he asked.
The eyes of Rylance ilashed towar
the speaker as he shook his head.
mo. ! did not know"
1.-THE report reached US here "a
months ago." explained Fayal.
From where2" Z.
From Dawson City"
"And my wife believed it?'
! Yes. For several weeks no one to
her. II was thought best to walt uni
she was we'll and strong again"
. "She was ill?"
AYE, very ill-when her little one WI