Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-15

IN uim, otuer tnAn ms years. FOUe
above the lowly consideration Of rights
and wrongs. He WAS sure he was
right. Yet he wanted to say he was
wrong. Though he did not know II.
years had parsed since two days ago.
and he was 4 new Jeems roing to 4
new ToInette. His fear Of her had
vanished. He was no longer borne
down by feeling OF lttleness and un-
Importance, and for the first time he
was visiting Tonteur manor without
the thought OF Inferiority sending its
misgIvings through his soul. In some
mysterious way which he did not I'M
derstand. but which he strongly felt,
he had passed away from yesterday
forever.
Soon his feet were In the path which
led to the manor. Ii was so Still he
could have believed that every one
was asleep as he courageously mounted
the wide steps to the door OF ToInette's
home. On this door was great black
knocker Of battered iron. The face
OF the knocker WAS grinning ogre.
garg0yllsli head which. from his
earliest memory Of it. had fixed itself
upon him as symbol of tie grim and
nnapproaehable spirit that guarded the
rooms within. His hand reached out
TO awaken the dull thunder Of its
voice.
His fingers touched the cold iron.
He hesitatel in the moment he WAS
lifting 1t. for he observed that the
door was open by a space OF few
inches. Through this aperture voice
came to him clearly II was a high,
biting. angry voice. and he recognized
it as Madame Tonteurs. lie raised
the weight from its metal panel and
name which made him pause in rigid
silence. II was his own.
He heard Toinette's mother say.
Henri Rulain was a fool for marrying
this good-for-nothing English woman.
and Edmond Is a greater fool for not
driving her from tile country wien her
breed is numbering and killing almost
at our doors. The woman was made
for spy, despite the pretty face
which has softened Edmond's silly
heart. and that boy OF hers is no less
English than she. The two should not
be allowed to live so near To us. vet
Tonteur maintains they are his friends.
The place they have built should be
burned and the English woman and
her boy sent where they belong. Let
Henri Buain 20 With them If he
chooses to he Il renegade instead Of
Frenchman =
.Fie upon ynu for such thoughts.
Henrlette." chided the miIder voice
Of Madame Tache Il despise the Eng
lish rs much as you nr Toinette, but
1t Is unfair to voice such invective
against these two. even though the
woman is proud of her pretty face and
her hoy Is mnd-slinging little wretch.
/ Edmond Is big-sonled man and SIM
ply befriends them otH Of PITY Are
you angry because Of that. Henriette?"
| Il am angry because she is English,
and her boy is English. and yet they
are allowed 10 live among rs MS if
they were French. | tell You they
will be traitors wien the time for
treachery comes.s'
Ieems had stood with his fingers
clenched at the unyielding iron Of the
knocker Now he heard another voice
and know III wnu Taiuoifa,r
Il think Jeems' mother is nice" she
said. But Jeems Is detesiable little
English beast!'
And some day that beast will help
to cut our throats," added her mother
unpleasantly.
The great iron knocker fell with
crash, and almost before the sound OF
| 1t reached servants ears, the door
swung open and Jeems stalked in.
The women were speeches. as he
stood In the wide opening to the room
In which they were seated he scarce
~ seemed to realize they were there
and looked only at Toinette. He re-
manned for moment without move
ment or speech. his slim figure tense
and gripped. Then he bowed his head
| In a courtesy which Catherine had
carefully taught him. When he smoke
| his words were as calm ms those OF
Madame Tache had been.
Il have come to tell you am sorry
because OF what happened at LUIS