The Crossing

Sc

to the heat. And after the astonishing conversation from which we had come, my admiration for the lady beside me was magnified to a

urrying across the Place d'Armes; "those are only Americans, and they

y know what to expect," I replied. "Suppose we go to

rs. Temple's. I shall write the letter from there and send

in her eyes which disturbed me strangely. I had not known it since th

mtesse," I answered, "and I wil

d my maid are used to my vagaries, and your own coun

took it between her own. The same anxious look

tion in her voice as she continued: "You seemed fairly sensible when I first met you last night, Mr. Ritchie. Are you losing yo

" I answered, "but I mean to go with you as far as Mr

d kill yourself," said Madame, c

ould go to Mrs. Te

like a brazen bell above us. We passed the the calabozo with its iron gates and tiny grilled windows pierced in the massive walls, behind which Gignoux languished, and I could not repress a smile as I thought of him. Even the Spaniards sometimes happened upon justice. In the Rue Bourbon the little shops were empty, the doorstep where my merry fiddler had played vacant, and the very air

ntered, "oh, Madame, I'se so glad yo

nd Madame la Vicomtesse, raising h

said. "What is t

ch seemed to

ned, "Miss Sally done

e, for we were both too app

u sure?" said

I'se done seed 'nuf of it, Mistis." And

my memory, reflecting a knowledge of the evils of this world, a spirit above and untouched by them, a power to accept what life may bring with no outward sign of pleasure or dismay. Doubtless thus she had made K

icomtesse t

ou get to Madame Gravois's, write to Mr.

way for her. I scarcely knew what I did as I sp

ied. "You cannot go in ther

, that she did not seek to release her arm. It did not seem

t," sh

I cried, wholly forgetting myself;

s?" sh

ursed people before th

on her lips,-or

Gravois's-at once," she murmured, striv

y," I answered; "an

to my eyes for a

Mr. Temple

n to Lindy to pass through, and then she had close

the wall, for Mrs. Temple was in agony. At intervals I heard Hélène's voice, and then the groans seemed to stop. Ten times I went to the bedroom door, and as

edy of the poor lady in torture. My eye fell upon the table, and there, as though prepared for what I was to do, lay pen and paper, ink and sand. My hand shook as I to

ency knew of your hiding-place, but is inclined to be lenient, will allow you to-morrow to go to the Rue Bourbon, and wi

AV

hought it best not to disturb her at such a stage. But would she not be alarmed when Hélène failed to return that night? Had circumstances been different, I myself would have ridden to Les ?les, but no inducement now could make me desert the post I had chosen. After many years I dislike to recall to memory that long afternoon which I spent, helpless, in the Rue Bourbon. Now I was on my feet, pacing restlessly the short breadth of the room, trying to shut out from my mind the horrors of which my ears gave testimony. Again, in the intervals of quiet, I sat with my elbows on the table and my head in my hands, striving to allay the throbbing in my temples. Pains came and went, and at times I felt like a fagot flung into the fire,-I, who had

quand r

quand re

must have made a strange, hatless figure as I came upo

eyond all reason at the thought of music at suc

fiddler gazing stupidly after them. Suddenly he scrambled up, moaning, as if the scourge itself had fastened on him, backed into the house, and slammed the door in my face. I returned with slow steps to shut myself in the darkened r

ng there, looking at me. At first I saw her dimly, as in a vision

" I said. "Where does he

ook he

n only serve to alleviate," she answered. "She cannot withstand this, poor lady."

said thickly. "Cann

lapel of my coat, and suddenly I felt her palm, cool an

vibrant with earnestness and concern. "You oug

d; "you know I ca

or me there was neither joy nor sorrow, sickness nor death,

n him?" she aske

I ans

after all these years of waiting she would not

oom, and Hélène was gone,

wn the street that a horse was galloping in long strides-a spent horse, for the timing was irregular. Then he was pulled up into a trot, then to a walk as I ran to the doo

here?" I cried. "Wha

itement, all fury, as he jumped from his horse; and now, as he looked at me, he seemed to lose

you to stay where you were? How did you get here?" I stepped down on th

reet and then at the heaving beast he had ridden, which stood with head drooping to the k

ou?" I dema

é said that the lady here h

aid almost

ll from my shoulde

r what I have done!" h

re." Suddenly I remembered the sentry at the gate of Fort St. Charles. "How did

" he answered, striving to pass

the doors. There were cries in the street now, but he did not seem to heed them. He stood listening, heart-stricken, to the sounds that came through the bedroom wall, and a spasm crossed his face.

ing here, Mr. Te

me! My mother! I

e nor yet even a semblance of the beauty of Temple Bow. But she was his mother, upon whom God had brought such a retribution as He alone can bestow. Lindy, faithful servant to the end,

et you git well, Miss Sally, Gawd'll let you git w

looked upon the son, and in them at first was the terror of one who sees the infinite. Then they softened until they became again the only feature that was left of Sarah T

, "be good to me, dear.

e of Har

neeling at the bedside, we saw him with her hand in his, and Hélène was drawing me gent

the cries in the street brought us back from the

! Voici l

and a voice demanding admittance in Spanis

ement in her voice, nor yet resignation. In tho

to fill the street. He took a step into the room, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and poured out at me a torrent of Spanish of which I understood nothin

ered. I was no little surprised

r," she said; "this gentleman does not un

his Excellency's authority and command. I saw the man with my own eyes. I should know him again in a hundred. We have traced him here to this house, Madame la Vi

red the Vicomtess

e, "the man is here, Madame la

said, "he

o speak to you have come to get him. He has d

id the Vicomtesse, point

p forward. She stopped

and his mother has the yellow fever. Come, we wil

rkable that the words spoken low by both of them should have been caught up on the banquette and passed into the street. Impassive, I heard it echoed from a score of throats, I saw men and

r!" the Alca

sse incline

ng, I saw the man's eyes grow smaller and a smile play about his mouth. H

me la Vicomtesse,

that I speak the truth

win

w me?" she said

fear, when a sound came from beyond t

nged to one of

ill bring the gentleman to you if

"no. I-I will go to hi

d not open

ity, "I myself have been to his Excell

ame la Vi

ake to the Governor. The gentleman will not try to escape, for his mother is dying. Besides, he could not get out of the city. You may le

?" said t

gentleman to remain here, and that you will be relie

still as death, and the Alcalde went forward on tiptoe. I saw him

man," he stammered. He

. She had no thought of consulting the man again, of asking his permission. Although she wrote rapidly,

d went, flipping the note nervously with his finger nail. He paused for a few low-spoken words with the tawdry constable, who sat down on the banquette after his chief had gone, still clinging to the bridle. The Vicomtesse went to the

see her no longer, and yet I knew that she had not moved. The strange s

I ans

can

. The night before! The greatest part of my life seemed to have passed since then. I remember wondering that she did not l

ould be coming

I ans

an speech, and we dared-neither of us-to risk speech. She searched my face, but her lips were closed.

e stood on the step. He held in his hand a long letter on which the red se

llency, Madame

to the table, and read.

mple to remain in this house. Thank you

e continued good health of Madame