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The Seaforth News, 1940-07-04, Page 6PAGE SIX eee tee "Silly work for a soldier and a gentleman," he said, "but silliness is a great privilege. It needs as much skill to carry folly well as to be an ambassador. Now, you are often much too serious, Captain Moray." At that he rose, and. after putting on his coat, came over to the easel and threw up the cloth, exposing a portrait of Alixe! It had been painted in by a few bold strokes, full of force and life, yet giving her face more of that look which comes to women bit- terly wise in the ways of this world than I cared to see, The treatment was dating, and it cut me like a knife that the whale painting had a red glow: the dress was red, the light falling on the hair was red, the shine of the eyes was red also. It was fascinating, but weird, and, to me. distressful. There flashed through my mind the remembrance of Math - tide in her scarlet robe as she stood en the Heights that momentous night of my arrest. I looked at the picture in silence. He kept gazing at it with a curious, half -quizzical smile, as if he were unconscious of my pre- sence. At last he said, with a slight knitting of his brows: easy to be charged with cowardice! Like evaporation, the hot breath of peril passing suddenly into the cold air of safety leaves this!"—he wiped his cheelt again. He rose. moved slowly to Voban, and, pricking him with his sword, said. "You are a bungler, barber. Now listen. I never wronged you; I have only been your blister. I gave you life a minute ago; I give you freedom now. Some day I may ask that life for a day's use, and then, Voban, then will you give it?" There was a moment's pause, and the barber answered, "M'sieu', I owe you nothing, I would have killed you then; you may kill me If you will." Doltaire nodded musingly. Some- thing was passing through his mind. I judged he was thinking that here was a man who, as a servant, would be invaluable. "Well, well, we can discuss the thing at leisure, Voltam" he said at last. "Meanwhile you may wait here till Captain Moray has breakfasted, and then you shall be at his service; and I would have a word with you, also." "It is strange—strange. 1 sketched Turning with a polite gesture to rue, that in two night ago. by the light of be led the way into the breakfast - the fire, after I had conte from the room, and at once, half famished. 1 Chateau St. Lonis—from memory, eves seated at the table, drinking a you see. It never struck Ihle where glass of good wine, and busy with a• the effect was taken front, that sing- broiled whitefish of delicate quality. eke. glow over all the face and lig- We were .silent for a Bute. and the 11ew 1 see it: it veuit'ms: it is. bird in the alcove kept singing us tltf- impression of colour in the though it were in Eden, while chinl- enses, left from the night that lady• ing in between the rhythms there 1h11irlldr 'dashed CIO: 011 the ,11111e the silvery $011114 of the sleigh - Heights! A tine—a tine e ffeol II'rn! bells from the world without. 1 was ler another such ono aught give cin- in a sort of dream. and I felt there :th.-r such llathildel" Must be 0 rude awitltening soon. 1f- At that moment we w.-1+ iota ter a while. Doltaire, who seemed started by a sound behind us. and, thinking keenly, ordered the servant wheeling, we saw Voban. as look of to take 111 a glass of wine to Voban, rage in his face, in the act of throw- He looked up at me after a little, ing at Doltaire a short spear which as if he had come back from a long he had caught up from a corner. The spear flew from his hand even as Doltaire sprang aside, drawing his sword with great swiftness, l thought he must have been killed. but the rapidity of his action saved him. for the spear passed his shoulder so close that it tore away a shred of bis coat and stuck In the wall behind him,. In another instant Doltaire had bis sword -point at Voban'a throat. The man did not cringe, did not speak a word, but his hands clinched and the muscles of his face worked painfully. At first there was a fury in Doltaire's face and a metallic hard- ness in bis eyes, and I was sure he meant to pass bis sword through the other's body; but after standing for a moment, death hanging on his sword- point, he quietly lowered his weapon, and. sitting on a chair -arm. looked curiously at Voban. as one might sit and watch a mad animal within a eage. Voban did not stir. but stood rooted to the spot, his eyes never moving from Doltaire. It was clear that he had looked for death. and now expected punishment and prison. Dol- taire took out his handkerchief and wiped a sweat from his cheeks. He turned to me soon. and said. in a singularly impersonal way, as though he were speaking of some animal: "He had great provocation. The Duchess de Valois had a young pan. ther once which she had brought up from the milk. She was inquisitive, and used to try its temper. It was good sport, but one day she took away its food, gave it to the cat, and pointed her finger at monsieur the panther. The Duchess de Valois never bared her breast thereafter to an admiring world—a panther's claws leave scar's." He paused, and presently continued: "You remember it, Voban; you were the Duke's valet then—you see I recall you! Well, the panther lost his head, both figurative- ly and in fact. The panther did not mean to kill, maybe, but to kill the lady's beauty was death to her..., Voban, yonder spear was poisoned!" He wiped his face, and said to me, "I think you saw that at the danger- ous moment I had no fear; yet now when the game is in my own hands distance. and said. "It is my fate to have as foes the men I would have as friends, and as friends the men I would have as foes. The cause of my friends is often bad; the cause of my enemies is sometimes good, It is droll. I love directness, yet I have ever been the slave of complication. I delight in following my reason, yet I have been of the motes that stumble in the sunlight. I have enough cruel- ty in me, enough selfishness and will to be a ruler, and yet I have never held an office in my life. I love true diplomacy. yet have been comrade to the official liar and ant the captain of intrigue—la! la!" "You have never had an enthus- iasm and a purpose." I said. He laughed, a dry, ironical laugh. "I have both an enthusiasm and a purpose," he answered, "or you would bynow be snug in bed for- ever." I knew what he meant, though he could not guess I understood. He was referring to Alixe and the challenge site had given him. I did not feel that I had anything to get by playing a part of friendliness, and besides, he was a man to whom the boldest speaking was always palatable, even when most against himself. "I am sure neither would bear day- light," said L "Why, I almost blush to say that they are both honest—would at this moment endure a moral microscope. The experience, I confess, is new, and has the glamour of originality." "It will not stay honest," I retort- ed, "Honesty is a new toy with you. You will break it on the first rock that shows." "I wonder," he answered, "I won- dere—and yet I suppose you are right. Some devilish incident will twist things out ni gear, and then the old Adam must improvise for safety and success. Yes, 1 suppose my one beautiful virtue will get a twist." What he had said showed me his mind as In a mirror. He had no idea that I had the key to his enigmas. I felt as had Voban in the other room. I could see that he had sat his mind on Alixe, and that she had: roused in him what was perhaps the first hon. my cheek runs with cold sweat. How est passion of his life. THE SEAFORTH NEWS What further talk we might have bad I can not tell, but While We Were smoking and drinking' coffee the door opened suddenly, and the servant said. "His Excellency the Marquis de Vaudreuii 1" Doltaire got to his feet, a look of annoyance crossing his face; but he courteously met the Governor, and placed a chair for him. The Governor, however, said frostily, "Monsieur Doltaire, it must seem difficult for Captain Moray to know who is Gov- ernor in Canada, since he has so many masters, 1 am not sure who needs assurance :nest upon the point, you or he. This is the second time he bas been feasted at the Iutendanee when he should have been in prison. I came too late that other time; now it seems I am opportune." Doltaire's reply was emooth: "Your Excellency will pardon the liberty, The Iutendance was a sort of half -way house between the citadel and the jail." "There is news from France," the Governor said, "brought from Gaspe. We meet in council at the Chateau in an hour. A guard is without to take Captain Moray to the common jail." In a moment more, after a courte- ous good -by from Doltaire, and a re- mark from the Governor to the effect that I bad spoiled bis night's sleep to no purpose, I was 3000 on my Way to the common jail, where arriving, what was my pleased surprise to see Gab. ord! He had been told of to be my especial guard, his services at the citadel having been deemed so effic- ient. He was outwardly surly—as rough as he ever was before the world, and, without speaking a word to me, he had a soldier lock me ina cell. XIII My new abode 'was more cheerful than the one I had quitted in the citadel. It was not large, but it had a window, well barred, through Which came the good strong light of the northern sky. A wooden bench for my bed stood in ane corner, and, what cheered me much, there was a email Iron stove, .Apart from warmth, its fire would be companionable, and to tend it a means of passing the time. Almond the first thing I did was to examine it. It was round, and shaped like a small bulging keg on end. It had a lid an top and in the side a smell door with bars for draught. suggesting to me a little the delight of a fireplace. A small pipe carried away the smoke into a chimney in the wall. It seemed to me luxurious, and toy spirits came back apace, There was no ilre yet, and it was bitter cold. 50 that I took to walking up and down to keep warmth in ole. 1 was ill nourished, and I felt the cold intensely. But I trotted up anti down, plaits of escape already ruti- ning through my :lead. 1 was as fan' off as you can imagine front that event of the early morning when I stood waiting, half frozen, to be shot by Laney's men. After 1 had been walking swiftly up and down for an hour or more, slapping my hands against my sides to keep then warm—for it was so cold I ached and felt a nausea—I was glad to see Gabord enter with a sold- ier carrying wood and shavings. 1 do not think I could much longer have borne the chilling air—a dampness, too, had risen from the floor, which had been washed that morning—for my clothes were very light in text- ure and much worn. I had had but the one suit since I entered the dun- geon in the citadel, for my other suit, which was by no means smart, had been taken from me when I was imprisoned the year before. As if many good things had been destined to come at once, soon afterwards another soldier entered with a keep sack, which he laid down on the bench. It held my other poor suit of clothes, together with a rough set of woollens, a few handkerchiefs, two pairs of stockings, and a wool cap for night wear. Gabord did not speak to me at all, hut roughly hurried the soldier at his task of lire -lighting, and ordered the other to fetch a pair of stools and a jar cif water. Meanwhile I stood near, watching, and stretched out my skin- ny hands to the grateful heat as soon as the fire was lighted. I had a boy's delight in noting how the draught pumped the fire into violence, shak- ing the stove till it puffed and roar- ed. I was so filled, that moment, with the domestic spirit that I thought a steaming kettle on the little stove would give nee a tabby - like comfort. "Why not a kettle on the hob?" said I gaily to Gabord. "Why not a eat before the fire, a bit of bacon on the coals, a pot of mulled wine at elbow, and 'wench's chin to ohuek, baby-bumbo!" said Gabord in a mocking Voice, Which made the soldiers laugh at rely ex- pense. "And a spinet, too, for ducky dear, Searrat; a piece of cake and cherry wine, and a soul to go to heaven! Tonnerre!" he added, with an oath, "these English prisoners want the world for a sou, and they'd owe that till judgment day." I saw at once the meaning of his words, for he turned his back on ane, and, going to the window, tried the stanchions, seeming much concerned about then, and stuttering to bim- self, I drew from my pocket two gold pieces, and gave them to the soldier Scarrat; and the other soldier cone- ing in just then, 1 did the same with him; and I could see that their Pe- eped for me mightily increased. Ga- bord, still muttering, turned to us again, and began to berate the sold - fere for their laziness. As the two men turned to go, Searrat, evidently feeling that something was due for. the gold 1 had given, said to Gabord, "Shall m'sieu' stave the kettle?" Gabord took a step forward as if to strike the soldier, but etopped short, blew out his cheeps and laugh- ed in a loud, mocking way. "Ay, ay, fetch m'sieu' the kettle, and fetch hint flax to spin, and a pinch of snuff, and hot flannels for his stomach, and every night at sun- down you shall feed him with pretty biscuits soaked in milk. Ah, go to the devil and ketch the kettle, fool!" he added roughly again, and quickly the place was empty save for -him and myself. "Those two fellows are to sit out- side your cage door, dickey -bird, and two are to starch beneath your \vin- dow yonder, so you shall not lack care if you seek to go abroad, Those are the new orders." "_Anti you, Gabord," said 1, "are you not to be my jailer?" I said it sorrowfully, for I had a genuine feel- ing for him, and I could not keep that from my voice. When I had spoken so feelingly, he stood for a moment, hushing and puffing, as if confused by the compli- ment in the tone, and then he answered, "I'm to keep you safe till word comes from the King what's to be done with you." Then he suddenly became surly again, standing with legs apart and keys dangling; for Searrat entered with the kettle and put it on the strove. "You will bring blankets for tn'sieu';' he added, "and there's an order on my table for tobacco, which you will send your comrade for." In a moment we were left alone, "You'll live like a stuffed pig here," be said, "though 'twill be cold o' nights." After another pass or two of words he left she. and I hastened to make a better toilet than I had dime for a year. My oltl rusty ,suit which I ex- changed for the one 1 Kaci worn seemed almost sumptuous, and the woollen wear emnferted my weak- ened body. \\'llhin an hour my veil looked snug, and I sat cosily by the fife, feeding it lazily. 11 must have: been about four o'clock when there was a turning of keys and a shooting of bolts, the door opened. and who should step inside but Gabord, followed by Alixe! I saw Alixe's lips frame my name thrice. though no word came forth, and my heart was bursting to cry out and clasp Iter to my breast. But still, with a sweet, serious look cast on me, she put out her hand and stayed toe. Gabord, looking not at us at all, went straight to the window, and, standing on a stool, busied himself with the stanchions and began to whistle. I took Alixe's hands and held them, and spoke het' name soft- ly, and she smiled up at me with so perfect a glace that I thought there never was aught like it in the world. She was the first to break the good spell. i placed a seat for her, and sat down by her. She held out her fingers to the fire, and then, after a moment, she told me the story of last night's affair. First she made me tell ber briefly of the events of the morning, of which she knew, but not fully. This done, she began. I will set down her story as a whole, and you must understand as you read that it was told as women tell a story, with all little graces and diversions, and those small details with which even momentous things are enveloped in their eyes. I loved her all the more because of these, and I saw, as Dol- taire had said, how admirably poised was her intellect, how acute her wit, how delicate and astute a diplomatist she was becoming; and yet, through all, preserving a simplicity of char- acter almost impossible of belief. Such qualities, in her directed to good ends, in lesser women have mostly made them infamous. Once that day Alixe said to me, breaking of as her story went on, "Oh, Robert, when I see 'what power I have to dissimulate —for it is that, call it by what name you 'will—when I see how I enjoy ac- complishing against all difficulty, how I can blind even so skilled a dip- lomatist as Monsieur Doltaire, I al- most tremble, I see how, if God had not given me something here"—she placed her hand upon her heart— "that eart"that saves me, I might be like Mad- ame 0ournal, and far worse, far worse than she, For I love power—1 do love it; I can see that!" She did not realize that it was her strict honesty with herself which was her true safeguard. Here is the story she told me: "When I left you last night, I went at once to my home, and was glad to get in without being poen. At nine o'clock we were to be at the Chateau, and while my sister Geor- gette was helping me with my toilette —oh, how I wished she would go and leave me quits alonel—my head was in a whirl, and now and then I could feel my heart draw and shake like a half -choked pump, and there was a strange pain behind my eyes. Georg- ette is of such a warm disposition, eo kind always to me, 'whom she would yield to in everything, so simple in her affections, that 1 seemed startl- ing there by her like au intrigante, as one who had got wisdom at the price of a good something lost. But do not think, Robert, that for one in- stant 1 was sorry I played a part, and have done so for a long year and more. I would do it again, and more, if it were for you. "Georgette could not understand why it was I stopped all at once and caught her head to my breast, as site sat by me where I stood ar'r'anging my gown. I do not know quite why I did it, but perhaps it was from my yearning that never should she have a lover in such sorrow and danger as mine, and that never should she have to mask her heart as I have done. Ah, sometimes 1 fear, Robert, teat \vhen all is over, and you are free, and you see what the world and alt this playing at hide-and-seek have made me, you will feel that such as Georg- ette, who have never looked inside the hearts of wicked people, and read the tales there for knowledge to defeat wickedness—that such as she were better fitted for your life and love. No. no, please do not take my hand—not till you have heard all I am going to tell." She continued quietly; yet her eye flashed, and now and then something in her thoughts as to how she, a weak, powerless girl, had got her ends against astute evil men, sent a little laugh to her lips; for she had by nature as merry a heart as seri- 000, "At nine o'clock we came to the Chateau St. Louis from Ste. Anne Street, where our winter home is— yet how much do 1 prefer the Manor House! There were but few guests to supper, and Monsieur Doltaire was not among them, I affected a genial surptrise, and asked the Governor If one of the two vacant chairs at the table was for monsieur; and looping a little as though he would reprove me—for he does not like to think of me as interested in monsieur—he said it was, but that monsieur Was somewhere 001 of town, and there was 110 surety that he would come, The other chair was for the Cheval- lier de la Darante, one of the oldest and hest of our nobility, who pre- ' toads great roughness and barbarism, but is u kind and honourable gentle- man. though odd. He was one of your judges, Robert; and though he con- demned yon, he said that you bad some reason on your sole, I will show you how he stood for you last night. "I need not tell you how the sup- per passed, while I was planning— planning to reach the Governor if monsieur did not come; and if be did come, how to play my part so he should suspect nothing but a vain girl's caprice, and maybe heartless- ness. Moment after moment went by, and he came not. I almost despaired. Presently the Chevalier de la Dar - ante entered, and he took the vacant chair beside me. I was glad of this. I had gone in upon the arm of a rusty gentleman of the Court, who is over hereto get his health again, and does so by gaming and drinking at the Chateau Bigot. The Chevalier began at once to talk to me, and he spoke of you, saying that he had heard of your duel with my brother, and that formerly you had been much a guest at our house. I answered him with what carefulness 1 could, nna brought round the question of your death, by hint and allusion getting him to speak of the mode of execu- tion. "Upon this point he spoke his mind strongly, saying that it was a case where the penalty should be the musket, not the rope. It was no sub- ject for the supper table, and the Governor felt this, and I feared he would show displeasure; but other gentlemen took up the matter/ and he could not easily change the talk at the moment. The feeling was strong against you. My father stayed. silent, but I could see he watched the effect upon the Governor. I knew that he himself had tried to have the mode of execution changed, but the Governor bad been immovable. The Chevalier spoke most strongly, for he is afraid of no one, and he gave the other gentlemen raps upon the knuckles. (To be continued) A certain dear old lady made it ber duty to visit the patients of the city hospital. On one occasion she went up to a much bandaged individ- ual who was sitting up in bed, and after a little preliminary talk said to THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1940. PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr, E. A, McMaster, M.B„ Graduate of University of Toronto. J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M., Grad. mete of Dalhousie University, Halifax_ TheClinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to•date diagnostic and thereuptic 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 montb from 3 to 6 p,m. Dr. F. J. R. 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 month from 1 to 2 p.m, JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A„M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 6J W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. F. .1. 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 hospitals, London, Eng. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic first Tuesday in each month. -13 Waterloo St., Stratford. Telephone 267. MARGARET le. CAMPBELL, M.D. London, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate of American Board of Pedi- atrics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday at. ternoon, each month, AUCTIONEER GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licenser) Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale, Date at The Seaforth News. Chargee moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRLNS, Licensed Auction• eer for Perth and Huron Counties, Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell. Phone 834 r 6. Apply at this office. HAROLD JACKSON Licensed in Huron and Perth Come ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction guaranteed. For information, write en phone Harold Jackson, 658r12, Sea - forth central; Brucefteld 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. The McKillop Mutual. Fire Insurance Co. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Wm. Knox, Londesboro; Vice President, W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. Mcleercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; Williann Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt, Dublin; James Connolly, Goderioh; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. R. Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing, 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 post - offices. him Very sympathetically: "1 sup- pose your wife must miss you a good deal?” "No, mum," came the prompt re- ply, "she's got a wonderful aim for a woman."