Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-28

French h't novelist. MIS- best known works in
clude The Wild ASS skin, Fatnsr So-
There was headland along the
beach with such high rocks that one
might expect to find cave there. But
none of the peasants or any OF the peo-
pie round about would go near the
place. There is some one there, they
would say in an awed whisper and per-
hans cross themselves at this cryptic
mention of some one whose name was
not to be spoken
No. IL was not a robbcr or a MUIR
derer--at least, they would not say
that 1t was. But they always avoided
the place as though 1t contained fear
full danger-some disease or chance OF
being plundered. Yet no one knew OF
any robbers in that country. and what
robher would make his den in rocky
headland? Few people ever had reason
to pass that way. and those few took
care TO avoid the spot.
If pushed a peasant might tell you
that even If you did go among the
rocks no harm would come to you,
Under pressure they would all admit
there was no real danger--no danger
you can put your ..g',>r on. that Is, and
say with certainty ,.l2t such and such
is the danger Ii you were persistent
in your questionings you might be in
formed further that whoever was there
would not seek to injure you IN any
way or to speak to you. You might
even be told that the some one there
would not stir from the spot. Yet the
some one was man. quite alive, too.
II you were Unfortunately curious and
not afraid you might pick your way
among those rocks to see for yourself.
Your guide. If he lived in that region.
would carefully go round the longest
way. keeping as far from the rocks as
possible. Your guide would expect that
when you had seen the man you would
hasten to rejoin him and that there
after you, too. would avoid the spot All
of which might quicken your interest
and impei you to go and look.
You would see a man sitting there on
a block of granite and he would look at
YOU That glance. from two bloodshot
ewes, would be like the flash of fire from
a cannon, and his stoical immooiiity
could only be compared to the change
less aspect of the slabs OF granite that
lay about him,
Slowly his eyes would turn toward
YOU. his body as rigid and motionless
as If he had been turned to stone. Then
after that glance, which would make
such a powerful impression on your
mind, his eyes would turn to gaze stead
ilv over the vast stretch OF sea. IN spite
OF the glare reflected from 1t. as the
eagle is said to gaze at the sun without
lowering his eyelids. The man Woulo
not look up again from the waves aItef
he had once looked at you, j.,
FyyI~
tree stump. His face bore the marks OF
the ravages OF time. of life of rough
toll upon the sea. of sorrow within, OF
coarse food and was darkened AS II
blasted by lightning. His muscles stooo
out on his shaggy hands he had Wig
orous constitution. In corner OF MS
cavern was heap of moss on when ne
slept, A little girl -- some relative
brought him bread and water every
morning. she was the only living per.
SON 1t seemed, who was not AFRAID Oh
him.
Never would you see a face more awe
inspiring. more grand and terrible In re-
pentance than this. Even In the con-
fessional. perhaps, there was never q
penitence so grand This was reniorSe
that seemed to be drowned in sea OF
PRAYERS that flowed forever from some
deep and dumb despair.
This silent figure was called by every
one the Man With a Vow. His story
was for the most part unknown. 1t mad
become legend. But II you were per-
sstent you might find peasant VINO
knew the truth. 1t was like this
But IL you were persistent you might
find a peasant who know the truth. IT
was like this.
His name was Cambremer. He had
a son who was dearer than life TO him -
mother and father both idolzed the
boy. They would have done anything
for him, sacrificed everything, To make
him happy, The son was spoiled, he
came to believe that since his parents
endeared him so much, no matter what
he did, it would be all right with them,
The son went from bad to worse
From petty vices and small gambling
he was lured into larger vices and
greater losses. Time after time his poor
old father, who earned a precarlous
living as a sailor and fisherman, sol
him out of some scrape. Time after
time he was forgiven---with the conss-
uuence that he became more than ever
sure that he could do anything. and ne
helped out, and be again forgiven
Cambremer had even owned his hcuac
and furniture. but IL was all lost be-
cause of this spoiled and ungrateful son
At last the mother had gold dou5loon
which she wished to give to niece, Sc
she sewed it into her mattress and
marked the girls name on II.
The rascally son learned about that
lone gold piece and stole 1t. He tore II
from out the mattress and spent 1t for
liquor, with which he became drunk
Old Camhremer found the piece Of pa
per with the girls name on 1t. He took
ii to his wife. She recognized 1t, but
said nothing.
There Is always one trifie which Is
too much for any one to bear. There