New Britain herald., 1922-06-19


 fellow, scarcely above middle height with a lean, astute Countenance, prominent of nose and cheek bones and with lank, black hair that reached almost to his shoulders. His mouth was long. thin-lippcd. and hu- morous. He was only just redeemed from uginess by the splendor of a pair of ever-questing. luminous eyes, 30 dark as to be almost black. Of the whimsical quality Of his mind and his rare gift of graceful express sion, his writings afford us very ample evidence. Of his gift of oro- tory he had already achieved a cer- tain fame for it in the Literary Chamber Of Rennes--one of those clubs in which the intellectual youth of France foregathered to study and discuss the new phiosophies that were permeating social life. But the fame he had acquired there was hardly enviable. He was too impis,,. too caustic, too much disposed 80 thought his colleagues-to ridicule their sublimest theories for the regeneration of mankind. Himself he protested that he merely held them up to the mirror of truth. and that it was not his fault if when reflected there they looked ridiculous.
 All that he achieved by this was to exasperate; and his expulsion from . society grown mistrustfu of him must already have followed but for his friend, Philippe de Nimorin, a divinity student of Rennes, who, himself. was one of the most popu- lar members of the Literary Chamber.
 Coming to Gavrillac on a Novem- ber morning, Philippe found in that sleepy Breton village matter to quicken his already lively indgna- ton. A peasant, named Mabav. had been shot dead that morning by a gamekeeper of the Marquis dc La Tour d'Azyr. The unfortunate fel- low had been caught in the act of taking a pheasant from snare, and the gamekeeper had acted under ex- plicit orders from his master
 Infuriated by an act of tyranny so absolute and merciess, NJ. de Vil- morin proposed to lay the matter before M. de Kercadiou. Mabey was vassal of Gavrillac, and Nilmorin hoped to move the Lord of GavrilaC to demand at least some measure of reparaton for the widow and the thre orphans which that brutal deed had made.
 But because Andre-Louis was Philippes dearest friend, the young ceminarist sought him out in the first instance. He found him at breakfast and after embracing him, defended him with his denunciation of M de La Tour d'Azyr.
 T have heard of it already" said Andre Louis. ...
 You speak as if the thing had not surprised you" his friend re- preached him. T propose to go to your godfather. M de kercadiou. I shall appeal to him for justice
 Against NJ. de La Tour d'Azyr 2"
 "I want you to come to NJ. de ker- cadiou with me. and to use your in fluence to obtan justice I suppose l am asking too much"
 T confess that l have not your big charity, my dear Philippe. l am touched by Mabey's fate. But hav- ing conquered the shock of this news to my emotions, I do not forget that, after all, Mabey was thieving when he met his death.
 M de vimorin heaved himself up in his indignation
 Sometimes l think that you have no heart With you it is always the law, never equity. You are not like ly to be of assistance to me in my interview with NJ de kercadiou." " He took up his hat, clearly with the intention of departing.
 Andre-Louis sprang up and caught him by the arm.
 0"I vow" said he that this is the last time ever I shall consent to talk law or politics with you, Philippe. l love you too well to quarrel with you over other men's affairs" But make them my own,' Philippe insisted vehemently.