The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-11-21
Robert w. Chambers
nastraliOns
Copyright 1901 BY pobi Rchmbsfs
CooNn9hi 90 rpECoIher 3 Son

Nttei g moments ulOugnC | SAID
Hpeed, what the devil do you mean
by that remark"
"Oh, what do you imagine l mean?'
ne retorted. DO you think I'm blind
I'm an ass, Scarlet? Be fair; am
p
NO; not an ass" L said.
Then let me alone-unless you
want plain speaking instead of a
bray"
Il do want it,"
Very well, my friend; then, at you
respectful request, beg to inform you
that you are in love with Madame de
Vassart-and have been for months
You are wrong" l said, steadily.
mo. Scarlet; am right"
You are wrong" | repeated.
Don't say that again. he retorted
III you do not know it, you ought to.
Don't be unfair; don't be cowardly.
Face it, mani"
What are you saying, Speed?"
asked, rousing from my lethargy to
shake his hand from my shoulder.
The truth. In all these years of
intimacy, familiarity has never bred
contempt in me. | have watched you
as a younger brother watches. low.
ingly, Jealous yet proud of you, alert
for a falling or a weakness which /
never founder, If / thought / found
a flaw in you. knowing that It was
but part of a character too strong.
90 generous for me to criticise.
Listen to me, Scarlet. / tell you
that a man shipwrecked on the
worlds outer rocks-if he does not
perish-makes the better pilot after.
wards"
But l persisted, Speed"
1T Is not true" he said, violently
but you will If you don't steer a truer
course than you have. Scarlet. an
swer me! Are you in lover"
Yes" ] said.
He waited, looked up at me. then
dropped his hands in his pockets and
turned away toward the interior of
the tent where Jacqueline, having
descended from the rigging, stood,
drawing her slim fingers across the
surface of the water in the tank.
[ walked fast across the moors, as
though | had a destination. And |
had; yet. when l understood it |
sheered OF, only to turn again and
stare fascinated In the direction of
the object that frightened me.
Then, looking seward, for the first
time | noticed that the black cruiser
was gone.
For a while | stood listening,
searching the sea, until a voice
hailed me, and turned to find Kelly
Eyre almost at my elbow.
There is a man in the village ha
ranguing the people," Speed thinEs
this man is Buckhurst."
What" l cried.
There's something else, too" he
said, soberly, and drew a telegram
from his pocket.
| seized 1t, and studied the futter.
ing sheet:
The governor Of Lorient. on COM
plant of the mayor Of Paradise. for.
bids the American exhibition, and or.
ders the individual Byram to travel
Immediately to Lorient with his so
called circus, where a British steam
ship win transport the personnel, bag
gage, and animals to British territory
The mayor Of Paradise will see that
this order Of expulsion is promptly
executed.
"(Signed) BRETEUIL.
"Chief Of Police"
Where is that fool Of a mayor?
Come on, Kelly! Stay close beside
me-" And l set off at a swinging
pace, down the hollow, out across the
left bank of the little river, straight
to the bridge, which we reached al
most on a run
Look there!" cried my compan-
ion, as we came in sight of the square.
The square was packed with Bre-
ton peasants; near the fountain two
cider barrels had been placed, a plank
thrown across them, and on this plank
stood a man holding a red flag.
The man was John B%uckhurst.
When / anne nearer / could see
that he wore a red scarf across his
breast; q little nearer and / could
hear his %passionless voice sounding;
nearer still. I could distinguish every
clear-cut word:
Men Of the sea, men Of that an
cient Armorica which, for a thousand
years, has suffered serfdom, / come
to you bearing no sword. You need
none; you are free under this red
flag ! raise above you"
He lifted the banner, shaking out
the red folds.
Peace, Love, Equality All this is
yours for the asking. The commune
will be proclaimed throughout
France; Paris is aroused, Lyons is
ready, Bordeaux watches, Marseilles
waitsl"
A low murmur rose from the people.
Buckhurst swept the throng with col
orless eyes.
where's the mayor" / whispered
to Eyre.
In his house; Speed is with him"
Come on, then" | said. pushing my
way around the outskirts Of the crowd
TO the mayors house.
Tho roaycf uran lvtna a. ~.