The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-06-13

ST. Joseph street. A young man with
a dark, ciean-shaven face was behind
the counter. He came forward courte-
ousy as l approached.
'Do you remember" asked. sell
ing collar to young lady recently
no, some long time ago-a dog collar.
| mean? This was the plate" Then
remembered a name Leroux had used
and dnng ii out at random II think
1t was for Mile. Duchaine." added
The shot went home
"Ah, monsieur. remember perfect
~" answered the proprietor. both
from the unusual nature of the collar
and from the fact that there was some
difficulty in delivering If. There was
no post office nearer the seigniory than
ST. Boniface. where 1t lay unclaimed
for a long time. ! think mademoisele
had forgotten all about the order. o.
perhaps the dog Ind died -
where Is this seignory?"
THE seigniory Of NJ Charles Dls-
chaine?" he answered. looking curl.
ously at me- 1T is the oldest Of the
seIgniories. he continued In fact. II
has never passed out Of the hands OF
the descendants of the original owners.
because II is almost uninhabitable In
winter. except by Indians"
How would one reach the chateau?"
In summer he replied ''one might
ascend the Klviere dor in csnoe for
half the distance. until one reached
the mountains, and then" He
shrugged his shoulders. Il 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 n 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, since she left the convent of
the Ursulines here in Quebec, where
she was educated her father keeps her
ut the chateau, and you are not likely
to set eyes on nj. Charles Duchaines
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 a
priests soutane but he did not look like
Il priest-he looked like mans head
on a bulls body. His smooth face was
tanned to the color Of an Indians S.
his bright blue eyes. almost concealed
by their dropping, wrinkled lids, were
piercing in their scrutiny
"Bo'jour, Pere Antoine" said the
shopkeeper deferentially, fixing his
eyes rather timidly upon the old
priests face.
"Eh bien, who Is this with whom
l thou gossipest concerning the dapgh-
Iter of Nj. Duchaine7" inquired Faa
Antoine, looking at me keenly
"Only customer-a stranger, mon
sieur,' answered the proprietor. rub
bling his hands together.
"You talk too much" said Pere An
tome roughly. snow monsieur he
said, addressing me in fair English,
| what is the nature of your business
that it can possibly concern either NJ.
Duchaine or his daughter? Perhaps
can inform you, since he is one of my
practitioners"
"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 "hut If it were
| an honest one you would state 1t tc
| me. If YOU wish to see NJ. Duchaine
| am best qualified to assist you to dc
so, since visit his chateau twice each
| year to carry the consultations of re
ligion to him and his people. But il
! your business is not honest ii will fail
End IL. then, and return to your own
| country
II do not intend to discuss my bust
ness with you. monsieur answered
angrily.
He let me go and stood eyeing ms
with his keen gaze. | Jumped on {
passing car. but. looking back, | saw
him striding along behind it. He
seemed 10 walk MS quickly as the cal
| went through the crowded street, ant
| with no effort.
found Jacqueline in her room. look
ing over her purchases, and took hel
down 10 dinner.
And here had another discomfort
ing experience. for hardly We're W.
seated when the inqniSitive strange
whom | had seen III the ferry cam'
into the dining room. and after care
ful survey which ended as his eyes fel
on us. ne took his seat at an ada
cent table.
F.