Evening star., 1927-10-24
Haunted Man of Merryville.


telling whence he came, every
i one loved and trusted Pierre
Rippetot. most Of all the chill
dren. 'Pibpy;toe" they called him,
and Pierre laughed with whimsical
dancing lights in his big, dark eyes
that made tiny feet tin2le as if they
wanted to dance. too. He was so glad,
he said, that they liked his funny
name.
but surely there's something
strange about this Mr.. Pierre" de-
clared the little dressmaker who lived
on the edge of town not so far from
pierrc's cottage around the sharp
bend in the great highway. mo one
is more honest" she often remarked
to her customers. "No one more in.
dustrious over whatever it is he is
writing or assalting, no one more kind
to my tiny Annette and the other chill
dren. and None is ready to help in en-.
terprises for the health or safety, yet
in those deep-set eyes behind the dane.
ing lights Turks always mysterious
shadow"
"Ilow can a man be Jolly and sad
at the same time?" she asked point
edly one day as she fitted a blue crepe
de chine on lovely Clarice Kahn. the
belle of Merryvile. Indeed, a hand
some young man, graceful, quick of
wit and with SO ravishing Il smile,
should not live all alone
NO doubt he's had a tragic love
affair replied Clarice lightly. But
men get over things like that" she
added, certain surety in her ill-ds-
guised blush.
Il think" the minister's wife told
the dressmaker the next day. "that
Mr.. Rippy-toe most likely has ideals
too high for these modern times. Per-
haps he hopes in one town or another
TO find beautiful dream girl, or be
lieHes that fate will bring her along
the highway. Haven't YOU noticed
how keenly he watches the growing
line of motors dashing past"
Yes, answered the drcssmaker
busily shipping an armhole. "he does,
but he never wants to go near them.
He seems to hate the sight of them.
believe ne has a sweetheart waiting
for him in France. Perhaps he's wish
inC that she would ride up some fine
day"
There were many surmises but no
one asked Pierre personal questions.
The planned to do so, vet invariably
the magic Of his smile made them for
get and tell instead what they were
going to- buy for dinner or what had
He so loved the children, and they all
said that Pierre was just right.
One man hnted. and only once,
mind YOU, that maybe Pierre had COM
mitted some crime and lived in dread
of sheriff driving to his door.
what Our Pierre, our CAV Rippy-
toe" exclaimed the town Indignantly.
Not a man who carries a hurt child
five miles on his back or holds the
love of all the boys and young men.
Shame on YOU
Whenever there were picnics Pierre
had as many invitations as there were
cars in town, but because of his So
called passion for walking he invari-
ably went on foot. arriving an hour
or so late, followed by a small regi-
ment of boys and girls singing and
capering through the woods. Then
the picnic would take on new life
And, oh. how Pierre could dance. 1t
was like floating or flying through
fields of gay flowers, Clarice and her
young friends exclaimed breathlessly.
Sometimes Pierre was seen standing
in conversation with Annette's mother.
his handsome face intent. his brilliant
dark eyes anxiously sweeping the
road. Then there was gossip a.plenty.
bue he was merely saying:
Caution Annette, I beg OF you when
she comes to me to walk on your side
of the highway to the spot where it
straightens in front of my cottage.
Drivers are more reckless each day"
Annette is poor womans child" ,"
the dressmaker would reply. Il will
do my best. but she must learn early
to look out for herself. Her baby eyes
are keen already and her feet nimble,
thanks to your guidance through the
woods"
That was all. but people grew more
curious as time went on.
One morning a bluff tourist in a
huge car drew up at the service sta.
ton on the edge of Merryville be-
cause Of some subtle misbehavior of
his engine. For an hour the men
tried in vain to locate the trouble
Does no one here understand this
business?' demanded the man. My
ki1 i3 i'll and we must drive on to the
doctor"
''Our Pierre can fix it," piped An
nette, who stood dipping her bare feet
into the puddles from the hose.
Then call him quick" shouted the
big man.
Annette scuttled along her side of
the highway out Of sight around the
bend.
The workman laughed heartily.
"fIe would not know one part from