Gilpin observer., 1912-03-14

set his loot Wltnln tne
smiling city that crushed or crowned
more poets than all the rest of the
world. His breath came quickly as
Paris sang to him in little undertone
her vital chant Of greeting-the hum
of voice and the foot and wheel.
High up under the caves of an old
house In the Rue Cont, David paid
lodging, and set himself, in a wooden
chair, to his poems. The street, once
sheltering citizens of import and conse-
quence, was now given over to those
who ever follow in the wake of decline
One afternoon he was returning
from a foraging trip to the lower
world, with bread and curds and bot
tie of thin wine. Half way up his
dark stairway he met-or rather came
upon, for she rested on the stair-a
young woman of beauty that should
balk even the justice of a poets imag-
iLation A loose, light cloak, flung
open, showed a rich gown beneath.
His eyes changed swiftly and every
little shade of thought. Within one
moment they would be round and art
less like a child's, and long and cozen-
ing like q gypsy's. One hant- raised
her gown, undraping little shoe. high
neeled, with its ribbons dangling. So
heavenly she was, SO untitled to stoop,
SO qualified to charm and command!
All, would monsieur pardon that sue
occupied the stairway, but the shoe!-
the naughty shoe! Alas! 1t would not
remain tied. All! If monsieur would be
SO gracious!
The poets fingers trembled as he
tied the contrary ribbons. Then he
would have fed from the danger OF
her presence, but the eyes grew long
and cozening, like a gypsy's. and held
him. He leaned against the balus-
trade. clutching his bottle of sour
wine.
You have been so good" she said.
smiling. Does monsieur, perhaps. live
in the house?"
Yes, madame. IL think so, ma
dame"
Perhaps in the third story. them"
mo, madame; higher up"
The lady fluttered her fingers with
the least possible gesture of impa-
tience.
Pardon. Certainly | am not dis
Greet in asking. Monsieur will forgive
me? 1t is surely not becoming that I
should inquire where he lodges"
Madame. do not say So l live in
the"
NO. no, no; do not tell me. Now
l see that erred. But I cannot lose
the interest feel in this house and all
that is in it. Once 1t was my home.
Often | come here to dream of
those happy days again. VIII you let
that be my excuse?'
Let me tell you, then, for you need
no excuse" stammered the poet. 81 live
In the top floor-the small room where
the stairs turn"
In the front room?" asked the lady,
turning her head sidewise.
In the rear. madame"
The lady sighed as If with relief.
Il will detain you no longer. then,
monsieur" she said, employing the
round and artless eye. Take good
care of my house. Alas! only the men,
ories of 1t are mine now. bdieu. and
accept my thanks for your courtesy"
She was gone. leaving but a smile
and a trace OF sweet perfume. David
climbed the stairs as one in slumber
Poet he must have been. for Yvonne
was forgotten; this fine, new lowell
ness held him with its freshness and
grace. The subtle perfume about
her filled him with strange emotions
On certain night three persons
were gathered about table In a
room on the third floor of the same
house. Three chairs and the table and
lighted candle upon 1t was all the
furniture. One of the persons was
a huge man dressed in black His ex-
preston was one OF sneering pride.
This man struck the table with
his fist and said. with controlled vio-
lence:
Tonight. Tonight as he goes to
midnight mass. l am tired OF the plot
ting that gets nowhere. am sick OF
signals and ciphers and secret meet
ings and such baragouin. Let us be
honest traitors. II France is to be
rid of him, let us kill him in the
open, and not hunt with snares and
traps. Tonight, I say. back my
words. Ny hand will do the deed. To
night as he goes to mass"
The lady turned upon him a cordial
look. Woman. however welded to
plots, must ever thus bow to rash
courage. The big man stroked his
upturned mustache.
Dear captain" he said, in a great
voice. softened by habit, this time I
agree with you. Nothing is to be
gained by waiting. Enough of the pal
ace guards belong to US to make the
endeavor safe one."
Tonight" repeated Captain Des-