Middletown transcript., 1920-08-14

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printed upon the boat.''
Il thought, that you had been ship
wrecked" said l.
But he looked at me with the
straight gaze Of an honest man.
"That is right" said he. But the
ship went from .Dunkirk, and this is
one Of her boats. The crew got away
In the long boat, and she went down
so quickly that had no time to put
anything into her. That was on Mon
day."
"And today's Thursday. You have
been three days without bite or sup .
1T is too iOng," said he. 'Twice
before I have been for two days, but
never quite so long as this. Well,
shall leave my boat here, and see
whether I can get lodgings in any OF
these little gray houses up on the
hillsides. Why is that great fire burn
ing over yonder?'
"Itis one of our neighbors who has
served against the French. He is re-
joicing because peace has been de-
clared."
''Oh! you have neighbor who has
served, then? I am glad, for l, too.
have seen little soldering here and
there" He did not look glad, but he
drew his brows down over his keen
eyes.
"You are French, are you not?"
asked, as we all walked up the hill to-
gether,. he with his black bag In his
hand, and his long blue cloak slung
over his shoulder.
"Well, I am Of Alsace," said he.
"And you know they are more Ger
man than French. =. For myself, Ihave
been in so many lands that feel at
home in all. I have been great trav-
eler. And where do you think That l
might find a lodging?"
can scarcely tell now, on looking
back with the great gap Of f1ve-and-
thirty years between what impression
this singular man had made upon me.
Jim Horscroft was a fine man, and
Mai. Elliott was a brave one, but they
both lacked something that this wan
derer had. It was the quick, alert
look, the flash of the eye, the name
less distinction which is so hard to
fix. And then, we had saved him
when he lay gasping on the shinele,
and ones heart always softens to-
ward what one has once helped.
IF you will come with me-" said I,
81 have little doubt that can find
you bed for night or two, and by
that time you will be better able to
make your own arrangements"
He pulled off his hat, and bowed
with all the grace imaginable. But
Jim Horscroft pulled me by the sleeve
and led me aside.
You're mad, jock" he whispered.
'The fellows a common adventurer.
What do you want to get mixed up
with him for?"
But was always as obstinate a
man as ever laced his boots, and If
YOU jerked me back it was the finest
way of sending me to the front
"He's stranger, and it's our part
to look after him." said 1.
"You'n be sorry for it." said he.
maybe So"
IF you don't think Of yourself you
might think Of your cousin"
"Edie can take very good care Of
herself"
swell, then. the devil take you, and
you may do what you like" he cried,
in one Of his sudden flushes Of anger.
Without word of farewell to either
of Us he turned off upon the track that
led up toward his fathers house.
Bonaventurc de Lapp smiled at me
as we walked on together.
II didn't thought he liked me very
much," said he. II can see very well
that he has made quarrel with you
because you are taking me to your
home. What does he think Of me
then? Does he think, perhaps, that
have stole the gold in my bag, or what
is it that he fears?"
"Tut! neither know nor care"
said l. mo stranger shall pass our
door without crust and bed" With
nv head cooked, and feeling as If I
was doing something very fine. in
stead of being the most egregious fool
south Of Edinburgh, I marched on
down the path. with my new ac-
ouaintance at my elbow.
; CHAPTER VI.