Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-06

Norman had not found her father; he
had returned discouraged because he
had failed to find Beaulieu, to have
that man.to.man talk with him. But
where was Vetal Beaulieu. and what
evil was behind the hand that penned
that note?
Her mind was taken from her own
problems as soon as the representa-
tive reached the blackboard.
"Billedeau," he began, briskly. 81
have important business with you
Stable your horse with a friend where
il will be safe for some days to come
He checked the fiddler's meek ques
tion and smiled at his astonishment
at Is not a matter to be talked over
in the street. my good friend. Put
your old horse in a comfortable place
It is long walk to my house,
/ Mam'selle May | have a corner OF
Madame Ouillettes sittingroom for a
| chat with Anaxagoras?"
| They walked slowly: and the fiddler.
trotting on his short legs, overlook
them before they reached the gate of
the cottage.
you shall sit with us and hear what
have to say TO our good friend,
Nam selle, for it is something very
near to your heart said the old rep.
resentative.
Billedeau perched himself on the
edge OF a hard chair crushing his
shabby hat between his knees. His
was very grave. for the veteran legis.
lator--the old man who had helped to
make the laws and who had dwelt in
the halls of the high places far away
from Attegat--awed him. In silence,
in wonder, with respect, he listened.
The girl displayed as much wonder.
ment. The demeanor OF the old man
promised that this was no ordinary
affair to which the fiddler had been
called
Both OF them watched Clifford while
he drew a packet of papers from his
pocket and laid them on his knee.
"Billedeau, you know all tine news.
You know that the good Father LIE.
clair has been sent away from his
parish because his enemies have been
up to mischief. You have heard that
men rode abroad in the night and
asked the people to sign papers. These
are the papers they have signed and
they have prayed while they were
signingI These are precious papers.
good Billedeau. They mean much
when one understands the folks who
hope and tears. know you under.
stand"
The fiddler crushed his hat more
nervously, and his round eyes grew
moist.
81 was with my friends--I was at
one of the little houses when the
paper was brought, sir and | signed"
He pointed a stubby finger at the
packet, and his voice was husky with
awe. "It will go to the great bishop
far away, Ell? His hands will touch
this eyes will see it?" The packet
had taken on the aspect of a solemnly
sacred object; it's destination made it
seem wonderful. a mystic thing.
since he had realized for what use it
was designed
ut is to go to the hands Of the
bishop Clifford caressed it.
! The old fiddler stared at the papers,
fascinated by the thoughts the packet
| suggested.
you. yourself, will carry them, eh?
i"Oh no. cannot do that, AnaXa
goras. | should spoil ALL
"Ah. M'ser, there is no one else in
Attegat who has met the great mer
as YOU have met them. There is
no one else besides the honored Rep
resentatve Clifford who will dare tc
raise his eyes to the great bishop and
tell him about the papers and the
poor people"
Your bishop would not even re
ceive me if should go to him on such
an errand. He would call it insolence
He would not listen. All would be
ruined. The man who must go to hin
is one of the people who are praying
to have their good priest restored tc
them Fe must be humble he mus
he patient. he must know all thu
people and understand what the
people have lost, and then he cal
tell the bishop how Father Leclaii
is needed in Attegat. Billedeau, there
is no one else who knows the folks
of Acadia as you know them. Yol
must carry the papers to the bishop.
Billedeau dropped his hat to thu
floor and swayed in his chair.
Terror. astonishment stupefactioi
set his features into rigid mask ant
paralyzed his tongue.