The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-09-02

she dipped right out to sea. 1 still
saw that little red spot on the deck,
and De Lapp standing beside her.
They could see me also, for was out
lined against the sky. and they both
waved their hands for a long time,
but gave it up at last when they found
that l would give them no answer.
stood with my arms folded, feeling
as glum as ever did in my life, until
their cutter was only square. flick
ering patch of white among the mists
Of the morning. 1t was breakfast
time, and the porridge upon the table,
before got hack, but l had no heart
for the food
"There's a letter here from him."
said my father. pointing to note fold
ed up on the table. "It was in his
room. Maybe you would read it to
u.s."
1t was addressed. in big letters, to
"The Good People Of West Inch." and
this was the note which lies before
me. all stained and faded. as l write
Ny Friends: l didn't thought to have
left You SO suddenly. but the matter was
In other hands than mine. Duty and
honor have called me back to my old
comrades. This you will doubtless un-
derstand before many days are passed.
/ take your Edie with me as my wife.
and It may be that in some more peace
ful time you will see us again At West
Inch. Meanwhile accept the assurance
of my affection. and believe me that
shall never forget the quiet months
which l spent with you at the time when
my life would have been worth a week
at the utmost had been taken by the
Allies. But the reason of this you may
also learn some day.
Yours,
BONAvENTURE DE LIssAc,
colonel des Voltigeurs de la Garde, ct
aide-de-camp de .. N. rEmpereur Ma
poleon.
whIstled when came to these
words, written under his name; for
though had long made up my mind
that our lodger could be none other
than one of those wonderful soldiers
Of whom we had heard SO much. who
had forced their way into every cap
ital Of Europe, save only our own.
still had little thought that our roof
covered Napoleon's own aide-de-eamp
and colonel of his Guard
49," said 1, de Lissac is his name,
and not De Lapp. Well. colonel or
no. 1t is as well for him that he got
away from here before Jim laid hands
upon him. And time enough too,"
added. peeping out at the kitchen win
dow. "for there is the man himself
coming through the garden"
l ran to the door to meet him, feel
ing that l would have given a deal to
have him back in Edinburgh again.
He came running, waving paper over
his head, and thought that maybe
he had had a note from Edie. and that
It was all known to him. But, as he
came up, l saw that 1t was big. stiff.
yellow paper. which cracked as he
waved 1t. and that his eyes were dane
ing with happiness.
"Hurrah! Jock" he shouted. where
Ia Edie? Where is Edie?
what Is 1t, mani" I asked.
'It's my diploma. Jock. l can prac-
tice when like. It's all right
want to show 1t to Edie."
1.-The best you can do Is to forget
all about Edie." said L
Never have seen a mans face
change as his did when ! said theea
words.
"whati What dye mean. Jock
Calder?" he stammered. He let go
his hold of the precious diploma as
he spoke. and away II went over the
hedge and across the moor. where
It stuck Tapping on a whin-bush. but
he never SO much as glanced at It.
His eyes were bent upon me. and l
saw the devils spark glimmer up in
the depths of them.
"She is not worthy of you." said 1.
He gripped me by the shoulder.
what have you doner' ne whispered.
This Is some of your hanky-panky.
Where Is she 2"
"She's on with that Frenchman who
lodged here" I had been casting about
In my mind how could break II gent
ly to him; but was always backward
In speech. and could think Of nothing
better than this.
"Oh !" said he; and stood noddIng
his head and looking at me. though
knew very well that he could neither
see me. nor the steading nor anything
else. Then he gave a gulp in his
throat. and spoke In a queer. dry.
rnsping voice.
when WAS thIs7" said he.
This morning."
Were they married?"
ayes"
He put his hand against the door
post to steady himself.
ANY message for me?"
"She said that you would forgive
her."
May God blast my soul on the day
i do. Where have they gone tor"
ITO France. l should judge"