Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-26

followed closely casting torous gances over her shout
der into the murky gloom, in which she fancied she
could discern the shapes of pursuers. Once thinking
she had heard a sound behind her, she caught Mark
hams arm, and they stopped breathless and listened:
but they heard nothing in the rushing backness but
the complaint of OWL and the crash of dead limb
a distance to their right. A drop of rain fell on
Markham's hand. Their prospect not pleasant.
Markham struck match under his and looked at
his watch. It was o'clock. They had been walking
for four hours. He tried focus his eyes upon the
backness. This path must lead somewhere shed
would them if it rained harder The brief
glimpse he had of Hernia face showed it pale and dark
eyed, with look he had discovered in it before
not of fear: for fear he had begun believe foreign
to her. The light had cut them off for moment from
the rest of the world rather had made definite
the little world of their own: but Hermias eyes still
peered her shoulder distended and alert She
the defensive ready for headlong fight, like naiad
startled
aI'm sorry, Hernia You're dead tired-arent you?'
ayes, II ana little she said quietly
We've travelled almost far enough. We must have
mile at least into this forest 1t seems limit
less
He peered about, taking few steps forward along
the path, which widened here The trees too far
ther apart and larger patch of the windy sky
BILE. Hernia followed guiding the donkey. They
emerged into glade, their road now well defined, and
made out against the trees beyond rectangular bulk
of gray. Markham went forward more briskly his
spirits rising. Providence kind to them. house!
house France he had discovered meant hospitaltv
tonight at least it meant shelter from the rain which
battered crspy upon the dry leaves of forgotten
autumn.
small affair it was, keepers forester's lodge
of story only with small shed stable at the side
There lights; but that reasonable enough.
French country folk made pretense of entertaining
visitors at such early hours of the morning As they
approached the building the matter of its occupancy
seemed open question: for the closed windows stared
at he An hunp
helplessy from its hinges and weeds ranged rioouslv
about the front door, near which wooden bench lay
overturned.
While Hernia waited under tree Markham walked
slowly round the house, returning presently with the
information that its confirmed the impression of
desertion But to make the matter certain he walked
to the door and vigorously changed the knocker Hol
low echoes; but other sound. He knocked again.
To his surprise the door yielded the touch of his
shoulder and creakly opened
XIE'LL go in, I think he laughed. And leaving
the patient donkey for the moment to her fate,
he led the way indoors match illuminated the hall
way for a moment, showing the ladderike stair to
trapdoor above, and then suffering family in the
musty air went out Since matches were scarce, he
deity made torch of paper from his pocket with
better brief glance into the at their
left showed signs OF recent occupancy His quick survey
marked oil lamp the corner, which proved to be
in working order he lit it with the end of his expiring
taper.
The room was handsomely paneled in white. There
couch in the corner rug the floor and several
easy chairs drawn socially toward the chimney
breast Along wall gunrack, and in the
of the table with litter of magazines box of
cigars, decanter of w1ne and some glasses.
Their appraisal concluded, they faced each other
blankly Then Markham laughed.
Il wonder what's the punishment for poaching in
France?" he said gaily.
Hernia dropped YEARLY upon the couch @Im
T 4 - e., ,oI