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Show rr replied Jean, graspin the soldiers hand. And you?" Much better for the fine supper I have been eating, said Greloire, a note of laughter in his voice. Pierre now fell behind, and the three stepped more briskly. What have you to tell me? inquired Jean, after they had gone a few paces, and Grelolrd remained siso dark, BY WITH ARY gEVEREUX ILLUSTRATIONS CHAPTER IV. Toulon, on the Mediterranean, was at this time the great military depot of France. Its Inhabitants numbered about twenty-fivthousand; and more than fifty frigates and ships of the line rode at anchor In its harbor, while within its spacious magazines was cole lected an immense quantity of military and naval stores. Scarcely a day passed during the fall and early winter of 1793 that did not bring to the city families and Individuals from all parts of France, seeking protection from the Revolutionists cureltles outrages which the Committee were either unable to control, or to which they were Indifferent. At Toulon, the friends of the old monarchy argued among themselves that the violence with which their land had been filled was too terrible to be longer endured; and they began to discuss the Idea of surrendering the city, Its magazines, forts and ships, to the combined English and Spanish fleets lying outside its harbor, and thus help to bring about a return of law and reason to lnskne France. Among those In Toulon who heard of the proposed surrender was Margot, who, with Jeyi and Pierre, safe under the humble roof of their new home, had for these many months enjoyed a security she had never before known. In a measure her own mistress, and removed from the dread of Etienne, she found reliance and peace in the kindly guidance of PeTe Huot, to whom the boys went each day for Instruction, his abode being some distance from Margots small house, which was In a retired part of the city, near the suburbs. A surrender suggested to her the possibility of bringing scenes of bloodshed and violence; and the very name of English" was to her as also to most of her compatriots the syn- - (&n&7y) slp .at the various eating and drinking places frequented by them. One of these was called Le Chlen house situated Ileureux, a down near one of the quays. Lights were blinking brightly from its small windows, and Inside several stoves were burning, where Thiel, the landlord, and his one assistant, were preparing supper for several civilians and soldiers who sat about, talking and drinking, at the various small tables. Sitting near the fire, two soldiers and a citizen, together with Jean and Pierre, were listening to a man In their midst, who, from his talk and appearance, seemed to have been an extensive traveler. This was I,aro, an habitue of Le Chlen Ileureux when on shore from the Aigle, a rakish-lookin- g brigantine, of which he was owner and captain. Jean listened with an attention which, for some reason, appeared to amuse Laro, who, now and then, with a quizzical smile lighting his hlack eyes, glanced askance at the boys enraptured face. Laros story had been listened to by others seated around the tables, who occasionally reminded Thiel to hurry their suppers. The next minute a soldierly-lookinman came In, the uniform of a petty officer showing as he unclasped and threw off the heavy cloak that had enveloped him. After demanding supper as speedily as possible, he seated himself some distance away from the group at the fire. But Pierre had been staring at him; and now the sound of his voice caused Jean to start, and turn his head quickly In the direction of the shadowy corner where the soldier was seated. Greloire! he breathed. What is that, my cocksparrow? Toulon harbors many a stranger tongue, to be sure, but I speak only my own. two-stor- y open-mouthe- d Did your lieutenant send you was he wishing to know of me? asked Jean eagerly. But there was no answer. Well, yes, and no, replied Greloire, speaking slowly, as if considering his words, and adding, as he looked down into the boys upraised face, which even the dim light of the stars showed to be filled with keen "Surely you iave disappointment, every reason to know his love for you; and he is one who never forgets. But his days are now filled with that which leaves little time for him to think of anything but this siege. He is outside the city, with the Revolutionary forces." He without, and you within, fighting against him! burst from Jean's lips, as he drew himself away. Sh-h- ! the soldier. whispered These streets may seem deserted; but 'tis as well not to speak loud words for the winds may carry them to where the wrong ears may hear them." Jean laughed softly, and came closer to Greloire. Aha I see how it Is. Be all the more careful, then, my young master, warned the soldier. There was silence for a time, while the three walked slowly along until they reached a street where the houses were far apart; and the last one of all, from whose windows came a faint leam of light, Jean pointed out to Greloire as his present abode. "And so that is where you are living, said the soldier, as they stood I tell you, lad, looking toward it. that had I the chance to possess so quiet a home, I should stop within It, and not be wandering into such shambles of carnage and blobd as Is the city now. Take my advice, and keep away from Le Chlen Heureux. I can now come to your house; and that will be the best place for me to see you. But, if you are to undertake the jnli? sion of which I spoke, the less you see of that scoundrel Laro, the better will it be. Laro Is my friend, declared Jean, his quick temper rising like a flash of fire. He is my friend, and even you must not name him in such fashion to me. So? said Greloire calmly, taking his hand from the boys arm. Then I doubt if you are to be trusted, and regret telling you as much as I have. Laro is not to be trusted. He is almost old enough to be your father; and, his suspicions once aroused, he has sufficient craftiness to surprise your secret, and use it for our harm. Jean was silent, and Greloire we Now tell on in a milder tone. were you in my place would you1 think twice before risking secrets with such a keeper one who cares so much for Laro as to have temper with an older friend, who, knowing the mans reputation, warns you against him? I am not angry, GVelolre, declared and regret that I was so. Pardon me. All right all right, mon ami, was Greloires hearty reply. Then, again lowering his voice, he asked in a half quizzical tone, And do you wish to ' see our little colonel? Yes indeed yes! You know that I would not give one of his fingers in exchange for a dozen Laros." Now I must "Bien, said Greloire. be going. So adieu, and my compliments to the good dame Margot. With this he turned about, amj whistling softly, went back the wrk they had come, while the two boyq, after watching him a few moments, bent their steps toward the cottage. (To be continued.) Jean penitently, -- And, be I saint or devil, to the end onym of what was utterly detestable. Her fears were realized when the surrender was accomplished, and the English ships sailed triumphantly into port, landing five thousand of their own troops and eight thousand Spaniards. This proceeding was regarded with the greatest alarm and Indignation by the Revolutionists, who, considering the surrender an act of treachery, resolved to retake Toulon, and drive the allies from the soil of France. Two armies were marched upon Toulon; and a siege was begun which for three months made but little apparent progress. Affairs within the city became unsettled, and were soon almost demoralized; and Pere Huot having fallen seriously ill, Margots heart grew heavy, as Jean, seeming to throw off all restraint, wandered day after day about the streets, associating with soldiers and rough chafacters. Margot had not dared to communicate much of her misgivings from the day, now several weeks past, when, after remonstrating warmly as to some offense he had committed, she bade him ask himself if his father would have approved the act, and started back, as from a mans threatened attack, when the boy turned fiercely upon her. Never name him to me again! he cried, with heaving breast and flashI have no father. Do you ing eyes. know my name here in Toulon? It is the same as Pierres. He Is Pierre Lafitte, and I am his brother, Jean Lafltte. And, be I saint or devil, to the end of my life 1 am Jean He looked so big and terrible in his rage that Margot, silent and frightened, felt that he was almost a stranger to her this boy she had carried in her arms, and whom she had loved and watched over for so many years. It was the last night of November, when darkness fell early over the city, and Margot was preparing her lonely Where Jean and evening meal. Pierre were, she knew not, but presumed that, as was often their habit, they would sup with some of their soldier acquaintances. Although the evening was cold, the usual number of pedestrians were abroad, these being mostly soldiers, wlio were seeking excitement and gos- - of my life I HALFWAY Cttfrigkttd, ItOS, HOUSE AtHtfn 6 Atm Ytrk lent BY DON C. WILSON CCopyngAt i9Xl, ty tttk, Sronm, Of Ptyts Pexnecf) THE GIRL AT THE am Jean Lafittel Come, gentlemen, all, said Thiel, now bustling amongst them with a Your suppers are huge platter. ready. Neither Laro nor the others paid any further heed to the soldier, who, seated apart from them, ate his supper with an appetite that bore witness to previous fasting. But at odd moments, when unnoticed, his eyes, with a smiling warning in them, met those of the two boys; and once, while Jean was staring at him, he laid a finger upon his lips with a swift cautioning gesture of silence. His Bupper finished, Jean strolled back to the fire, before which Greloire had seated himself, while the others remained at the tables, some still eating, and all of them discussing matters pertaining to the siege. Leaning carelessly against the fireplace, after a quick glance about, to make sure he was not observed, the boy looked at the soldier with a world of inquiry in his dark eyes. Greloire replied with a comprehending smile, but again laid his finger against his lips, as if impressing silence, and then turned to the fire. He had picked up his long cloak, and was putting it on. And no one noticed the suggestive motion of the head and hand, as, with slightly arched eyebrows, he looked once more toward Jean, who was still standing beside the fireplace. But the boy was quick to see these, and understood that he might expect to find Greloire outside. Allowing what he felt to be a proper amount of time to pass after the latter had closed the door behind him, Jean put on his cap, and having motioned to Pierre, they both followed, regardless of Laros declaration that it was earlier than usual, and not yet time for them to start for home. The two boys, with occasional sharp glances around, passed along the alstreet. most deserted Presently Pierre, after a quick look over his shoulder, gripped Jean's arm. There is a man who looks like Greloire coming on just behind us. He had scarcely spoken when a swift but cautious footfall came close behind him, and a hand caught his shoulder, while Greloire said in a carefully lowered voice, Tiens! My quick. witted comrade, how are you? "As vou see, or might, were it not CHAPTER XXII. Continued. At this place they Baw a few men sitting outside the door, calmly smoking among these Sam, the liveryman, a merchant by name of Chapman, and a homesteader, who was known as One-eye- d Inside the Pennyman. house, playing cards with Curly, were four other men. Franklin noticed that they all were armed. They all appeared from their story, to have Just dropped in to pass a little time with Curly. From time to time others dropped in, most of them remaining outside in the moonlight, sitting on their heels along the porch, talking but little, and then mentioning anything but the one subject which was uppermost in every ones mind. Yet though nothing was said, it might well be seen that this little body of men were of those who had taken the ;tand for law and order, and who were resolved upon a new day in the history of the town. It was a battle of the two hotels and what they represented. Over at the great barroom of the Cottage there was at the same time assembled a much larger gathering, composed chiefly of those transient elements which at that time really made up the larger portion of the population of the men, with narrow place boots and broad belts at which swung heavy, blued revolvers with broad wooden butts a g body of men, savage in some ways, gentle in others, but for the most part just, according to heir creed. All drank whisky, and drank it regularly. Up to ten oclocH the whisky had produced no effect. At ten oclock a big Texan raised his glass high above his head and smashed it upon the bar. Law an order be damned! said he. What kind o law an order is it to let a murderin Greaser like that and in front of the door there swept a dark and silent cordon. The leader of the invaders paused, but went straight forward. We want that man! he said. two prone flgines. Others caught at the rope, groveling, snarling. They were saved the last stage ol their disgrace. Into the crowd there pressed the figure of a newcomer, a hatless man, whose face was pale, whose feet were unshod, and who bore one arm helpless in a dirty sling which hung about his neck. Haggard as and unkempt, barefooted, half-cla- d he had stumbled out of bed at his ranch six miles away. Bill Watson, the sheriff appeared a figure heroio enough. With his broken arm hanging useless and jostled by the crowd, he raised his right hand above his head and called out in a voice weak and halting, but determined: Men, go go home! I command you in the name of the law ! "You know very well you cant have him. "We dont know nothin o the sort. We want him, an were goin to have him. Git out of the road! IV A second figure stood by the side of was man this recognized Franklin, and of by the leader. Aw, now, Curly, what d d foolishCHAPTER XXIII. ness is this here? Bring him out. You know I wont Jim, said Curly, The End of the Trail. Were tryin him on the simply. The Cottage Hotel of Ellisville was; square. You aint the Cote. I koint singularly enough, in its palmy days give him to no one but the Cote. conducted by a woman, and a very Silence fell for an instant, then from good woman she was. It was perhaps the rear of the party there came push- an error in judgment which led the ing and crowding and cries of Burn husband of this woman to undertake There the establishment of a hotel at such a the house drive him out!" was a rush, but it was met by a silent place and such a time, but he hastened ' thickening of the line at the point as- to repair his fault by amiably dying. sailed. Men scuffled with men, swear- The widow, a large woman, of great ing and grunting, panting hard. Here kindness of heart and a certain skill and there weapons flashed dully, in the care of gunshot wounds, fell though as yet no shot was fired. heiress to the business, carried it on The rushers toward the house grew and made a success of it All these closer, so that assailants and besiegers wild range men whe came roistering were now mingled in a fighting, swear- up the Trail loved this large and ing mass. kind old lady, and she called them all JYoure no cowman. Curly, cried her boys, watching over the wild one voice, bitterly. brood as a hen does over her chickens. "Youre a d d liar! cried Curly In She fed them and comforted them, reply, whoever says that to me! Im nursed them and buried them, always of my word. You kaint new ones coming to take the only places of clean us out. Ill shoot the livin' those who were gone. Chief mourner soul out o any man that touches that at over threescore funerals, neverthe door! This here is the jail, an Im less was Mother Dalys voice always ! the deppity,. and, by youll not for peace and decorum; and what have my prisoner! good she did may one day be discoverQuite right, me man, said a cool ed when the spurred and booted dead voice at Curlys side, and a hand fell shall rise. on his shoulder as a tall form loomed There was yet no key to the Cottage sprang toward the building. The cries bar when there came the unbelievable became savage, beastlike. It was word that there was no longer a buffalo to be found anywhere on the longer human beings who cont range, and that the Indians were gone, beaten, herded up forever. Far to the north, it was declared, there were men coming in on the cow range who had guns, who wore gold and jewels and who brought with them saddles without horns! It was said, however, that these new men wanted to buy cows, so cows were taken to them. Mother Daly looked upon this, and it was well. She understood her old boys and loved them. She was glad the world was full of them. She looked out over the wide, wind-sweplains, along the big chutes full of bellowing beeves, at the wide corral with its scores of saddled Nemeses, and she was calm and happy. It was a goodly world. It was upon one day that Mother Daly looked out opon her world; upon the next day she looked again, and all the world was changed. Far as the eye could reach, the long and dusty roadway of the cows lay silent, with its dust unstirred. Far, very far off, "I command you in the name of the law!" there was approaching a little band come clear? Which of usll be the over this poor, being, but of strange, small, bleating, woolly next hed kill? brutes, less reasonable than he. creatures, to whose driver Mother Juan left the door. He swept Frank- Daly refused bed and board. The catWell, said a conservative, soothLets lin and Curly and Battersleigh aside tle chutes were silent, the corral was ingly, lets wait till let the Cote set another day, any- as though they were but babes. empty. At the Cottage bar the keeper It was his purpose to rush out, to had at last found a key to the door. how." Yes, I reckon thats right; yes, strike, to kill. It was the moment of Up and down the Trail, east and west' thats so, said others; wed better opportunity for the leader of the as- of the Trail, all was quiet, bare and sailants. The whistle of a rope cut the desolate. At some signal some sigwaft till A brief silence fell upon the gather- air, and the noose tightened about the nal written on the sky all the old ing, a silence broken only by tlnklings giants' neck with instant grip. There life of Ellisville had taken up its jouror shufflings along the bar. Then,' far up in the crowd. "Theres good ney into a farther land, into another in you, me bully. Fair plays a day. The cowman, the railroad man off, over the prairie, there came a little flat, recurrent sound, or series of Jule, an its fair play were goin to and the gambling man had gone, leavsounds, as of one patting his fingers have here. ing behind them the wide and Backed by a crowd of men whose softly together. It fell and rose and Cottage, the graveyard grew, coming rapidly nearer, until at resolution was as firm as their own, with its double street, the cattle length there could be distinguished these three fell back in front of the chutes with well-worhairy walls. the cracking and popping of the hoofs door. Franklin felt his heart going (To be continued.) of running horses. fast, and knew that more was asked of Its the Bar O outfit, from the Bra-xo- him here than had ever been upon the Senator Hoars Advice A young man from Florida came coming in, said some one. The field of battle. In a moment, he reIt flected, the firing would begin. crowd pressed out into the air. to Washington to represent a newsThe opened and melted slightly. Suddenly the climax came. The paper in his state, says a correspondcrowd at Curlys shanty increased door was thrust not ent of a New York paper. A few days open, irresistibly slightly, silently. Inside, Curly and from without, but from within. Stoop- after he arrived Senator Hoar introhis friend still played cards. The ing, so that his head duced a bill referring to a lottery in might clear its giant prisoner lay asleep upon the top, the enormous figure of Juan, the Florida. The young reporter hasBoor. tened to see the senator, with visions Mexican, appeared In the opening. The rattle of many hoofs swept up of a column interview with him conA roar of anger and excitement rose to the door of the Cottage, where the as the prisoner was seen standing cerning the bill and its effect and all restive, nervous horses were left before them, though outlined that. The servant said the senator there would see him. itanding while the men went in, their only by the dim light of the sky. man, What is it? asked Mr. Hoar, when leader, a stocky, man in the Every assailing party the young man had been shown in. hearing with him the rope which he was a surge back upon the rope, a had loosened from his saddle. Having I want to ask you about the bill movement which would have been ? introduced vlrunk, the leader smote upon the bar fatal for you other man. which any would with a heavy hand. What do want to ask me you Come along, men, he called out. have been fatal to him, had the men about it? to a wishas horse the got rope they d The quicker we hang that d Why, I am from Florida and reped, so that they might drag the vicGreaser the better it will be. a Florida paper, and I thought resent tim by violence through the crowd. He moved toward the door, followed But with Juan this act was not final. you might give me an explanation. Have you read the bill? by many silently, by others with steps As the great bear of the foothills, Yes, sir. that lagged. Well, you see began when scorns the roped by horseman, Do you understand it? one man. to attempt escape, but pulls man and I think I do, sir. To h 1 with all that! said the newhorse toward him by main force, so if do not, no explanation comer, turning upon him fiercely. the Well, was who now thus I could makeyou giant savage We dont need no cowards! would help you to. Good assailed put forth his strength, and by No, that aint it, resumed the first evening. would-bof arm sheer drew his power And that was another of those interman, but we got to respeck the Cote to him, hand over hand. The fust Cote ever did set here, you see. captors views never printed. noose about his ow-- neck he loosened The fellers, some of em, thinks one with hand. Then he raised his some o the jury thinks that the felBeecher and the Medium. hand and let it fall. The caster of the lers too crazy fer to hang. While in England Henry Ward collar his bone broken and his rope, 3eecher was entertained by a gentleCrazy be d d! Were goin to shoulder blade cracked across," fell in man who believed in Bang him, an that settles it. Law an a spiritualism and heap at his feet as the swaying was himself a order kin take care of it afterward. medium, says the Arcrowd made way. All the time they were shifting gonaut. One day he asked if Beecher There came, boring into the silence would like to talk with the spirit of toward the door. As though by concert they swung into saddle and swept off with horrible distinctness, the sound his father. Dr. Lyman Beecher. Mr. up the street in a body, above the of one merciful, mysterious shot. The Beecher replied that it would please noise of their riding now breaking a giant straightened up once, a vast him immensely. After the seance was careless laugh, now a shrill yell of black body towering above the black over he was asked how it had imsheer joyous excitement More than a mass about him, and then sank gently, pressed him, at which, with the hundred men drew up in front of the slowly down, as though to curl himself twinkle in- - his eye, Beecher respondfrail shelter over which was spread in sleep. ed: "All I have to say is that if I There was a groan, a roar, a swift deteriorate as fast for the first tea the doubtful aegis of the law. Fifty men met them. The lights surging of men thick, black, like years after I am dead as my father went out in the house in an Instant, swarming bees. Some bent above the has, I shall be a stark naked fool. wide-hatte- BOOK the Plow The Day d wild-lookin- wild-livin- silver-mounte- d . half-witte- d ' n s, ILLS OF TELEPHONE GIRLS. Salutation Constant!? Customary Rings In Their Ears. When a central operator hears somebody crying Hello to her on the street, nine times out of ten she Ignores the greeting, said a telephone expert. Why? Because she takes the salute to be a delusion. A girl who, day after day, hears Hello, hello, dinned into her ears, and who is constantly responding with Hello, helio, hello, In time grows to hear and repeat the word mechanically; and when she leaves her work that word is still ringing in her ears. She can hear people saying Hello to her on all sides, but the greeting of the real thing is so confused with the ghosts of dead labor that she seldom notices the first salutation of a friend. And did you ever know, by the way. that nine out of ten persons who habitually use the telephone have what we call telephone ear? In its first stage the telephone ear becomes acute and sensitive; but after long use the hearing becomes more or less blunted, and half the complaints against poor telephone service may be attributed rightly to the Telephone ear. Try it some time. If you habitually use the right ear, time use the left nd see if it isnt twice as satisfactory. It Is a good plan for those who use the telephone much to frequently switch ears. This keeps the, hearing equally balanced, and might ward off a permanent deafness. nei Two Recommendations Needed. (I Slowpay Doctor, I suppose you can recommend your tailor to mo! ( Doctor Certainly, but you will have to get some one else to recommend you to my tailor. e n 1 |
