Loading...
The Seaforth News, 1940-06-20, Page 6PAIGE SIX vn-ti iia x tee We sheen. hands then, wilhcut word, and in a moment the dungeon door closed behind hare and ? was alone, For a moment my heart wee heavy beyond telling. and a terrible darkness settled on my spirit. I sat down on my couch and buried m)' head in my hands. loves heneet men." 1 bad no hope at all, yet 1 felt must say it. 1 -Is nodded, but said n thing, and presently 1 was alone. 1 sat down en my straw couch an composed myself tc think; net Opo my end. far my mind was made up to that.. but upon the girl who was s deartc me, whose life had crept int At last 1 was roused by Gabord's mine and filled it, making it of vale voice. in the world. It must net be though !-Ie sat down. and drew the leaves that I no linger had care for ou of faded corn between hie fingers, cause, for 1 would willingly hay `"Tis a poor life. this 10 a alae. after spritmy life a hundred times for m) all—eh, dickeybird? 11 a soldier country. as n,y hest friends will beat can't stand in the field fighting. if a ti+1r less: fent tk:ere +renes a tin o. d n a s 0 0 THE SEAFORTH NEWS ing, absorbing solicitude. I min hot think that my anxiety was all vulgar smallness then, I called bins by coarse names as 1 tramped up and down my dungeon; I cursed him; impotent contempt was poured out on him; in invagination 1 held him there before me, and chok- ed him till his eyes burst out and Ws body grew limp in my arms. The ring of fire in my bead scorched and nar- rowed till I could have shreiked in agony. My breath came short and laboured, and my heart felt as though it were in a vise and being clamped to nothing. For ass instant, also, I taper out in wild bitterness against Alixe, She had said she would save n k, ,snot yet 1n an hour or less I should be dead. She had come to Inc last sight—ah, true; but that was in keeping wvtit Ler dramatic tempera. mem: it was the drama cf it that bad aupeeled tc her; and tomorrow she Would forget nee, and sink her fresb spirit in the malarial shadows of Dol- taire':. In my passion 1 thrust say hand into my waistcoat and unconsciously drew out something, At first my only feeling was that my hand could clinch it, brut slowly a knowledge of it travelled to my brain, as if through clouds and vapours. 1 do not know that 1 am superstitious, yet when I became conscious that the thing 1 held was the wooden cross that Math- ilde had given me. a weird feeling passed through me, and there was an r arrest of the passions of mind and foody; a coolness passed overall toy nerves, and my brain got clear again. the ring of fire loosing, melting away. It was a happy. diverting influence, e which gayer the mind rest foe a mo- n'.tl.t. 0111 the better epirite the wiser feeling, bad a chance 50 reassert it eat el the time It seemed to Inc air.:est rupernatural. :tits ,•i..7! laugh when misery and danger ere over, and it would be tasy c turn *his matter into ridicule, i at tie flood of my testings tanned man "ao't nilsl;r•'alr e s with max). 11.111-21 1 ran Iia, a right :r set all else and pitch a tent et his e:wn some. , c.e 1.' 1... cwr. r.e..onal love and where, why nut €c. trove leg 'a.:h :brwastat a.:t.I :e ILs+ I'Iht t.': iid Was i:hw Beast'—air`1 "c have a.: :rte -;f=. .. ed lysi.ash space as ;tucked oust like .l1Ese —ru.' n see re ir,:7 .t i.. r:: -.. re. in. I fast - flesh nee; and the h« r gr r,t=t ..• d -, I 10,7 _ 1. :,r facet 1 pyk to Pe cr tc 1.171f.i.17 in-. ! c c se• -I1, 1 0e in a (tin. atel re _ r . .. d 7, fine, it r.' Ila: w'etlting ' LFga t, ":,. I'.. ..: ;7 g of .,. St R'. I:_ J ...,. ,. .t.s,friy '1,-,Irt1.1, sit—nc- .rt,. _,, ...Thet ,.... :n prEf,-ail. The spe:e.h had s .It _ t i::_ '752' .1'r d:-:.I.te .f .toss. „1'155 much th]aking, azd vIer to rrded.' = 1 . the g r .:.ch e'kt the tiling. his t'ue5ks l utfed i tit .. d a :.,,.e..1' - sty ger i r .,-t:n itr ser sudden Jt- ,,. .e,: ep:aee :�n Ilio :hen laugh-eeuJFd It g;1hr int it a t ."k.e In a earl of s,gi.. l weu.d rave Oaken : a:,i .r• re. Ail ,.t zees .. Vere appeal'- his- hand that moment, n 1 sed not , ' o ' ,.y to MC, ".".htn you are gone remembered when erne: h ri.,w lack . she will ie re:;tf.ile's. Iterlen:her from such dtmonstrat_ce 3 did nut t teat sue staid. Sh« tears ]lir... s has, speak, but. nodded assent, and tock: a bower e:vst her... to drawing the leaves c f ;ern te- New, scree will set it down to a tween txy etagere as he was (icing. ltw. 'unmanly jealousy find enspicion. After a moment. cocking his head It is herd tc sons it, but 1 know that at inc as might 1'i surly schoclmasIe•r 1 was sehzed with it misery se deep in a. pante cI len/es-my. be added. -'As • that all my last sufferings and disap- quiet. as quiet. and never did he Sly eeireneete, and even this present at door et sage. net peck at jailer— hooter. were shadowy tsside it. 1 l:ic-taled to I ys''t Alixe in Doi- / Moiled et Lim a rr:n .l,. seri( tai: e . arms. after 1 lead gene beyovtd and then, t' e: eg le n.; tat, larded h,ln J call, it is t fu g. l w lin idea to htn. 1115 kr rte welch 1 had s•., t will 1 ._ r 3 Ott. .Is 1 and 1',n l ed, with fee helee. '!0 gh :, r 1r,:•, t. t. : e'_ I . s:i f.ity e'nddetllY pecking with. en tsr.tl a.e. a.1with 7...14, Mstinettess. ,111 He lucked ato trangsi , f:,. at Brie 1 fe t L ny ad the •ingJ he weighed iha knife o1: er.d we in ct terse ca wl:,, 0 Ma:t..ide had warn- i his band, ?net 1 •:cu d not at fast ed „ t..t.deerlrg heat tilled my n i.nd that hateful picture grow 14.(11e vrvicl- Thu s Alixe had said the night s,e.fere flashed to my mind. and I fancied that, ankn(WO le ]ver - self even, be already had a substant• ial power over her. Bebad deet: determination, the gracious suttlety which charms a woman and she, hemmed in by his devices, overcome by his pleadings, attracted by his enviable personality, would came el last to his will. The evening before 1 bad seen strong signs of the dramatic qualities of her nature. She had the gift of imagina- tion, the epic spirit. Even three years precious I felt bow she had seen every little incident of ber daily life in a way which gave it vividness and distinction. All things touched her with delicate emphasis—were etched upon her brain—or did not touch her at all. She would love the picturesque in We. though her own tastes were ace simple and fine. imagination 'would beset her path with dangers; it would be to her, with her beauty, a fatal gift, a danger to herself and others. She would have power, and feeling it, womanlike, would use it, dissipating her emotions, paying out the sweet- ness of her soul, till one day a dram- atic move, a strong picturesque per- sonality like Doltaire's, would catch ber from the morings of her truth, and the end must be tragedy to her, Doltaire! Doltairel The name burned into my brain. Some prescient quality in me awaked, and 1 saw ber the sacrifice of her imagination, of the dramatic beauty of ber nature, WY enemy ber tyrant and destroyer. He would leave nothing undone to achieve his end, and do nothing that would not in the end poison her soul and turn her very glories into. mis- eries. How could she withstand the charm of his keen knowledge of the world, the fascination of his tempera- ment, the alluring eloquence of his frank wickedness? And I should ra- ther a million times see her in her grave than passed throngb the atmos- phere of his life. This may seem madness, selfish and small; but after -events went far to justify my fears and imaginings, for behind all there was a love, an ach- guee',s bis theeght; 1711 presently ntly 1 understood it and I almost •cOld have told what ne would say. He - opened the knife. lelt the Made, measured it along hie fingers, and then said, witb a little bursting of the lips, "Poem! Etat what would ma'm'selle have thought if Gabord was found dead with a hole in his neck—bebind? liar He had struck the very note that had sung in me when the temptation came; but he was gay at once again, and I said te bine "What is the hoer fixed?" 'Seven o'clock," he answered, 'and I will bring your breakfast first." - "Good -night, then," said 1. 'Coffee and a little tobacco will be enough." When he was gone I lay down en my bag of straw. which, never having been renewed, was now only full of worn chaff, and, gather myself in my cloak, was soon in a dreamless sleep. I waked tc the opening of the dun- geon door, to see Gabord entering with a torch and tray that held my frugal breakfast. He had added some brandy, also, of which I was glad. for it was bitter cold outside, as I dis- covered later. He was quiet, seeming often to wish to speak, but pausing before the act, never getting beyond a stumbling also! I greeted him cheerfully enough. After making a little toilette I drank my coffee with relish. At last I asked Gabord if no word bad come to the citadel for me; and he said none at all, nothing save a message from tbe Governor, before midnight, ordering certain matters, No more was said, untie turning to the door, be told me he would return to fetch me forth in a few minutes. But when halfway out ho suddenly wheeled, name back, and blurted out, "If you and I oouid only fight it out, m'sieu'! 'Tie ill for a gentleman and a soldier to die without thrust or parry." "Gabord," said I smiling at bim, "you preach good sermons always, and I never saw a man I'd rather fight and be killed by than you!" Then, with an attempt at rough humour, I added, "But, as I told you once, the knot isn't at my throat, and 1'11 tie another - one yet elsewhere if God a caving channel. As 1 Stood musing there came 10 my mind - suddenly the words of a sura which 1 had heard some voyag- e are sing on the St. Lawrence as 1 sat in the cliff a hundred feet above them and watched them drift down in tlo :weight: "Brothers, we go to the scarlet hills: (Little gold sun, come 005 of the dawn!) There we will meet in the cedar groves; (Shining white dew, come downll There is a bed where you sleelr so sound, 3'he little good folk of the hills will guard. - Till the morning wakes and your love conies home. IFIy away, heart, to the scarlet hills! I" Sumethiug in the half -mystical, half Arcadian spirit of the Words soetised tut, lightened my thoughts. so that when, presently, Gabord opened the door and entered with four soldiers 1 was calm) enough for the great shift. Gaharci dict not speak, but set about pwioning me himself. 1 asked trim if he, could not letme go unpinioned, for it was ignoble to go to One's death tied like a beast. At first he shook his head, but as if witha sud- den impulse he cast the ropes aside, and, helping me on with my cloak, threw again over it a heavier cloak be had brought, gave me a fur cap to wear, and at last himself put on me a pair of woollen leggings, whieb, if they were no ornament, and to be of but transitory use (it seemed strange to me then tbat one should be caring for a body so soon to be cut off from all feeling), were most com- forting when we came into the bitter, steely air. Gabord might easily have given these Iast tasks to tbe sold- iers, but he was solicitous to perform them himself. Yet with surly brow and a rough accent be gave the word to go forward, and in a moment we were marching through the passages, up frosty steps, in the stone corrid- ors, and on out of the citadel into the yard. I remember that as we passed into the open air I heard the voice of a soldier singing a gay air of love and war. Presently he came in sigbt. He saw me, stood still for a moment looking curiously, and then, taking up the song again at the very line where be had broken off, passed round an angle of the- building and was gone. To bit 1 was no more than a moth fluttering in the candle, to drop dead a moment later. It was just on the verge of sunrise, There was the grayish -blue ligbt in the west, the top of a long range of forest was sharply outlined, against it, and a timorous darkness was hur- rying out of the zenith. In the east a cad, golden radiance was stealing tip and driving back the mystery of the night and that weird loneliness of an uretic world. The city was hardly waking as yet, but straight silver columns of smoke rolled up out of many chimneys, and the golden cross on the cathedral caugbt the first rays of the sun. I was not interested In the city; I bad now, as I thought, done with men. - Besides tbe four soldiers who had brought me out, another squad surrounded me, com- mended by a young officer wbom 1 recognised as Captain Laney, the rough roystsrer who had insulted the at Bigot's palace over a year ago. I looked with a spirit absorbed upon the world about me, and a hundred tbougbts whieb had to do with man's life passed through my mind. But the young offleer, speaking sharply to me, ordered me on, and changed the current of my thoughts. The coarse- ness of the man and his insulting words were bard to bear, so tbat 1 was constrained to ask him if it were not customary to protect a condemn - and he motioned Gabord to hand it to me, as he came forward. "May I breakfast with you?" he added cour- teously, He yawned a little, "I have net risen so early in years, and I am chilled to the bone. Gabord in. eists that it is warm in your dungeon; 1 have a fancy to breakfast there. It will recall my year in the Bastile." lie stalled in a gnaiut, elusive sort of fashion, and as I [crow the cloak about me 1 said through chattering teeth, for 1 bad suffered with the brutal cold, "I am glad to have the chance to offer breakfast," ell man from insult rather than to "To me or any one?" he dryly sug- expose hit., to it. I said that I should gested. "Think! by now, had 3 not be glad of II1y last moments in peace. come, you plight have been in a At that be asked Gabord why 1 was ; warmer world than this—indeed, unbound, and my jailer answered much wanner," Ile suddenly said, as that binding was for criminals who Ire stooped. pinked up some spam fat were is be banged! hie bare band and clapped it to MY 1 could scarcely believe rr.y ear:. 1 cheek. rubl'ing it with farce and was to be shot. not banged. 1 had a swiftness. The cold had nipped it, thrill of gratitude which I can not de- and this was the way to draw out the scribe. it may seem a nice distinc- frost. His solicitude at the moment Gen, but to me there- were whole was so natural and earnest that it seas between the two modes of was hard to think he was my enemy. death. I need not blush in advance, When he had rubbed awhile, he for being shot—my friends could bear gave me his cwn handkerchief to that without humiliation; but hang- dry my face; and so perfect was his ing would satways have tainted their courtesy, it was impossible to do memory of me, try as they would otherwise than meet him as he against It. meant and showed for the moment. "The gallows is ready, and my ord- He bad stepped between me and ers were to see bit hanged," Mr, death, and even an enemy who does Laney said. that, no matter what the motive, de - "An order came at midnight that he serves something at your hands, should be shot," was Gabord's reply, "Gabord," be said, as we stepped - producing the order and handing it inside the citadel, "we will breakfast oven at eight o'clock. Meanwhile 1 have The officer contemptuously tossed some duties with our officers here. it back, and now, a little more court- Ti11 we meet in your dining -hall, eous, ordered me against the wall, them, monsieur'," he added to me, and and I let my cloak fall to the raised his cap. ground. I was placed where, looking "You must put tip with frugal fare," cast. I could see the Island of Or- 1 answered, bowing, leans. un which was the summer- "le you but furnish locusts," he house of the Seigneur I)uvaruey. Ga- said gaily. "I will bring the wild bard ranee to me and said. "el'sietl', honey,,.. What wen der'tal hives •ef you are a. brave man" -then, all at bees they have at the seigneur Dip once breaking off. he added in a low, varuel s!" ho' coutilru.d musingly, ss hurried voice, 'Tis not e long if with second thought, 't. beautiful flight to heaven. Melee'!" 1 could manor --a Meet, ler pretty birds and see his face twitching as he stood honey-beesl" looking at me. lie hardly dared to His eyelids drooped languidly, as Mei round to his comrades, lest his was their way when lee had said emotion should be seen. But the of something tt little carbolic, as this freer roughly ordered him back, Ga- was to me because 05 its hateful sug- herd coolly drew out his watch, and gestion. His words drew nothing from made a motion to me not to take off me, not even a look of understanding, nay oloelt yet. , and again bows we went our ways. "'Pis not the time by six minutes,' At the door of the dungeon Gabord he said, "The gentleman is to be shot held the torch up to my face, His to the stroke--aho!" His 'voice and oWn had a look which came as near manner were dogged. The officer to being gentle as was possible to stepped forward threateningly; but him. Yet he was so ugly that it an- Gabord said something angrily in an pealed almost ludicrous in him, undertone, and the other turned en "I'oornl" said he. "A friend at his heel and began walking up and court. More comfits." down. This continued for a moment, "You think Monsieur Bellaire gets in which we all were very still and (tomtits too?" asked 1. bitter cold --the air cut like steel— He rubbed his cheek with 't key and then my heart gave a great 'leap, "Aho! mused he "aho! M'sieu' l)ul- for• suddenly there stepped into the faire rises not early for naught." yard Doltaire. Action seemed sus- petaled us-pe•n ied in me. but 1 know I listened 1 was roused by Lite Opening 4)1 the with singular curiosity to the shrill door. Voltaire entered. Re advanced creaking of bis hoots on the frosty towards me with the manner of an earth, and 1 noticed that the fur col- admired comrade, and, with no trace lar of the coat he wore was all white of what would mark him as my toc. HOLD KO LicensedARin HuronJACfindSPoNrth Coun- with the frozen moisture of }vis said, as ht.• sniffed the air: breath. also that tiny icicles hung "Monsier, 1 have been selfish. 1 from his eyelashes. I3e came down asked myself to breakfast with you, the yard slowly, and presently pans- Yet, while 1 love the new experience, ed and looked at Gabord and the 1 will deny myself in this. You shall young officer, his head laid a little to breakfast with me, as you pass to one side in ai quizzical fashion, his Your new lodgings. You must not say eyelids drooping. no," he added, as though we were in "What time was monsieur to be some salon. "I have a sleigh here at shot?" be asked of Captain Laney. the door, and a fellow has already "At seven o'clock, monsieur," was gone to fan my kitchen fires and for - the reply, age for the table. Come," be contin- Doltaire took out his watch. "It tied, "let me help you with your wants three minutes of seven," said cloak." he, "What the devil means this bus. He threw my cloak around me, and insas before the stroke o' the hour?" turned towards the door, 1 had not waving a hand towards me. spoken a word, for what with weak- �p+L McKillop Mutual "We were waiting for the minute, nese, the announcement that 1 was to The MCKylllop Mutuall monsieur," was the officer's reply. have new lodgings, and the sudden A cynical, cutting smile crossed change in my affairs, 1 was like a Fire Insurance Co. Doltaire's face. "A charitable trick, child walking in its sleep. I could do THURSDAY, JUNE 2.0, 1940 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A, McMaster, M.B., Graduate of University of Toronto. J. D. Coignhoun, M.D., C.M,, Grad - pate of Dalboueie University, Halifax. The Clinic Is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and tbereuptic equipment, Dr, Margaret K. Campbell, M.D„ L.A.B,P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month from 3 to 6 pen. Dr. le. J. It. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p,m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday in every montb from 1 to 2 p.m. JOHN A. GORWILL, B,A.,M.D, PhysicianandSurgeon In Dr. H. H, Roes' office, Phone 5 J W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W, Office John St., Seaforth DR. F. J. R. FORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, -University of Toronto. Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat bospitals, London, Eng, At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third \i'educeday in each month from 2 tc 4 pen. Also at Seaforth Clinic first Tuesday in each moutin-6e Waterloo St„ Stratford, Teleplvune 257. MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.D, London, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate of American Board of Petit. ethics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af- ternoon, each month, AUCTIONEER GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron, Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Chargee moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F, W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction ser for Perth and Huron Counties, Sales Solicited. Tereus on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property, R. R. No, 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office, ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction guaranteed. For information, write 07 phone Harold Jackson, 658r12, Sea - forth central; Brucefield R,R,1. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. upon my soul, to fetch a gentleman from a warm dungeon and stand Wm against an icy wall on a deadly morning to cool his heels as be waits for his bear to diel You'd skin your ion and shoot bins afterwards— voila!" Al] this time he held the watch in his hand. "You, Gabord," be went on, "you re a man to obey orders—eh?" Gabord hesitated a moment as if acting for Laney to speak, and then aid, "I was not in command. When I as called upon I brought him forth," "Excuses! excuses! You sweated to e rid of your charge." Gabord's face Towered. "M'sieu' ould have been in heaven by this if hadn't stopped it," he broke out ngrily. Doltaire turned sharply on Lancy. I thought as much," said he, "and ou would have let Gabord share your Isdr, 'Yet ybnr father was a entlemanl If you had shot monsieur efore seven, you would have taken b:e dungeon he left. 'You must learn, y young provincial, that you are of to supersede France and the ng. It is now seven o'clock; you ill march your men back into quar- re" Then turning to me, he raised his ap. "You will find your cloak more mfortable, Captain Moray" said be, 1 a ws s a w b w 1 y m g b th m n. ki w te c co no more than bow to him and force a smile, which must bave told more than aught else of my state, for be stepped to my side and offered me his arm. I drew back from that with thanks, for 1 felt a quick hatred of myself that 1 sbould take favours from the man who had moved for my destruction and to wickedly steal from me my promised wife. Yet it was my duty to live If l could, to escape if that were possible, to use every means to foil my enemies. It was all a game; why should I not ac- cept n-cept advances at my enemy's hands, and match dissimulation with die - simulation? When I refused his arm be smiled comically, and raised his shoulders in deprecation. "You iorget your dignity, mon- sieur," I said presently as we walked on, Gabord meeting as and lighting us through the passages; "you voted me a villain, a spy, at my trial!" "Tecbnicaily and publicly, you are a spy, a vulgar criminal," he replied; "privately, you are a foolish, blunder- ing gentleman." "A soldier also, you will admit, who keeps his compact with his enemy," (To be continued) Notice to Creditors, 3 wks. for $2,50. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Wm, Knox, Londesboro; Vice President, W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth, AGENTS F, McKercher, R.R,1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R,1, Brucefield; E. I;. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm, Yeo, Holmesvllle. DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt, Dublin; James Connolly, Goderich; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEtwing, Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton; Hugh Alexander, Walton. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective poet - offices, Diner (irritably) — "Say, waiter, how long do 1 have to wait for that half -duck I ordered?" Cockney Waiter—"Till somebody orders the other 'are We can't go kiilin' 'arf a duck."