The Elbert County tribune., 1919-06-13


dark. clean-shaven face was behind
the counter. he came forward courte-
clsly as. I approached.
do you remember" I asked, "sell-
ing a. collar to young lad. recently
no. some long time ago-a dog collar.
I mean? This was the plate" Then /
remembered name Leroux had used
and flung It out at random. 81 think
1t was for Mile. Duchaine." ! added.
The shot went home.
"Ah, monsieur, l remember perfect
ly." answered the proprietor. both
from the unusual nature of the collar
and from the fact that there was some
difficulty IL delivering 1t. There was
no post office nearer the seigniory than
st. Boniface, where 1t lay unclaimed
for long time. I think mademolselle
had forgotten all about the order. Or
perhaps the dog had died."
"Where IS this seigniory?"
'The seigniory of NJ. Charles Du-
chaine?" he answered. looking curl
ously at me. "It is the Oldest of the
seigniorles." he continued. "In fact. 1t
has never passed out of the hands of
the descendants of the original owners,
because 1t IS almost uninhabltable In
winter, except by Indians"
How would one reach the chatenuf"
"In summer" he replied. zone might
ascend the Rfviere dor In canoe for
half the distance, until one reached
the mountains, and then" He
shrugged his shoulders. 81 do not
know. Possibly one would inquire of
the first trapper who passed in au-
tumn. In winter one would fly.
"You see, NJ. Duchaine Is a hermit"
he continued. "Once, so my father
used to say, he was one of the gayest
young men in Quebec. But he became
involved in the troubles of 1S67-and
then his wife died. and so he withdrew
there with the little mademoiselle-
what was her name?
"Eh bien. it makes no difference. be-
cause, slace she left the convent of
the Ursulines here in Quebec. where
she was educated, her father keeps her
at the chateau, and you are not likely
to set eyes on NJ. Charles Duchaine's
daughter"
A sudden stoppage In his flow of
words, an almost guilty look upon his
face, as new figure entered the little
shop. directed my attention toward the
stranger
He was an old man of medium size,
very muscularly built. stout, and with
enormous shoulders. He wore
priests soutane, but he did not look like
priest-he looked like a mans head
on bulls body. His smooth face was
tanned to the color of an Indians
his bright blue eyes, almost concealed
by their dropping, wrinkled lids, were
piercing in their scrutiny.
'Bojour. Pere Antoine" said the
shopkeeper deferentlally. fixing his
eyes rather timidly upon the old
priests face.
'Eh bien, who is this with whom
thou gossipest concerning the daugh-
ter of NJ. Duchalne7" inquired Father
Antoine. looking at me keenly.
"Only customer-a stranger. mon
| sieur." answered the proprietor, rub
bing his hands together.
"You talk too much" said Pere An
toine roughly. snow, monsieur" he
said, addressing me in fair English.
what Is the nature Of your business
that 1t can possibly concern either NJ.
| Duchaine or his daughter? Perhaps
can inform you. since he is one of my
| parishioners.'
| "My conversation was not with you,
| Monsieur lie Cure" / answered shortly
and left the shop.
/ had not gone three PAGES from the
door, however, when the priest. COM
ing up behind me. placed huge hand
upon my shoulder and swung me
round without the least apparent eff
fort.
| II do not know what your business
| Is, monsieur" he said, "but IL 1t we're
an honest one you would state 1t to
me. If ycu wish to see NJ. Duchaine
I am best qualified to assist you to do
so, since / visit his chateau twice each
| year to carry the consultations of re-
ligion to him and his people. But II
| your business is not honest 1t will fail.
| End 1t, then, and return to your own
country"
81 do not intend to discuss my busi-
ness with you. monsieur" answered
angrily.
He let me go and stood cycling me
with his keen gaze. I jumped on a
passing car. but. looking back. saw
him striding along behind it. He
seemed to walk as quickly us the car
went through the crowded street, and
with no effort.
found Jacqueline in her room. look
ing over her purchases. and took her
down to dinner.
And here / had another disconcert-
Ing experience. for hardly were we
seated when the inqulsitive stranger
whom I had seen at the ferry came
into the dining room. and after care
| full survey which ended as his eyes fell