The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-02-21


glass to the spring for me to fill. But
can tell a good bit about a man from
the way he gives me his glass, and he
was in a perfect frenzy OF rage. When
reached it back to him he gripped
il until his nails were white.
Tillie brought the supper basket for
the shelter-house about six o'clock and
sat down for a minute by the fire. She
said Mr.. Pierce Garter to herr had
started out with a gun about five
O'Clock. 1t was foolish, but it made
me uneasy.
She got up, leaving the basket on
the hearth.
Just then heard shot from the di-
rection of the deer park. even Tillie
noticed how pale | got.
Il don't know whats come over you,
Minnie" she said. That's only Mr..
Carter shooting rabbits. l saw him go
out as | started down the path"
was still nervous when put on my
shawl and picked up the basket. But
there was a puddle on the floor and
the soup had spilled There was moth
ing for it but TO 60 back for more soup,
and | got it from the kitchen without
the chef seeing me- When | opened
the springhouse door again Mr.. Pierce
was by the fire. and in front of him,
where left the basket, lay dead rab-
bit. There was no basket in sight.
Well" asked. did you change my
basket into a dead rabbit"
Basket" he said, looking up.
What basket"
| looked everywhere, but the basket
was gone, and after a while | decided
that Mr. Dick had had an attack of
thoughtfulness Tor hunger) and had
carried it out himself.
And all the time | looked for the
basket Mr.. Pierce sat with the gun
across his knees and stared at the
rabbit.
I'D thank you to take that messy
thing out of here" told him.
Poor little chap!" he exclaimed.
He was playing in the snow, and
killed him-not because wanted food
or sport, Minnie. but-well, because
mad to kill something"
Il hope you don't have those attacks
often" | said. He looked at the rabbit
and sighed.
Never in my life!" he answered
For food or sport, that's different, but
-blood-lust!" He got up and put the
gun in the corner, and saw he looked
white and miserable
didn't like to scold him when he
was feeling bad anyhow, hrt business
is business. So / asked him how long
he thought people would stay if he act.
ed as he had that day. told him, too
to remember that he wasn't RESPONSE.
BILE for the morals or actions of his
guests, only for their health.
Health" he echoed. and kicked a
chair. Health, Why, if wanted to
keep a good dog in condition, Minnie
| wouldn't bring him here"
No." | retorted. you'd shut him in
an old out oven, and give him a shoe
to chew, and he'd come out in three
days frisking and happy But you
can't do that with people.
Eho ldl do MI. NOil III W dlu SOtS,
went on, that's not your affair or
mine. If Miss Patty's own father can't
prevent it. why should you worry
about it,"
Precisely" he agreed. "Why should
|? But | do. Minnie-that's the devil
of it."
He said good night and went out
taking the gun and the rabbit with
him, and | went into the pantry to fin
sh Strengthening things for the night
In few minutes | heard voices in
the other room. one Mr.. Pierce's, and
one with strong German accent.
When was that?" Mr.. Won invalid
voice.
"A year ago, in Vienna"
"Where?"
AT the Bal Tabarin. You were in a
loge. The man | was with told me
who the woman was. 1t was she,
think, who suggested that you lean
over the rail"
"Ah, SOL" said Mr. Won invalid as II
he just remembered "Ah. vee recall