Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-01-16

- oiiO lltuN lltaI0Hte mac
come to claim his own. w
Inc halt-mcredulous smile with which
the stranger had listened throughou
changed to one of mOckery. What became
OF the childP he asked. Did the fiend and
the Old Baronne spirit that away toop
Non, M'sieu; it was a GIRL,
And what has become of the Baronp
He was killed at Sedan. M'sieu
Where is the child?
she has always been at the chateau.
M sieu, with old Jean-Marie, and Margot,
his wife. The young lady has had dis
Greet dame II 9ourer1ante and dame de
comPa1gn'e; bnt lately we heard that she
was i'll, or dead
why, then, need you make so much fuss
about seeking refuge in the chateau? Sure
~. precautions are not ncedful when one
only Graves nights lodging, and that of
necessityP
Evidently Monsieur does not compre-
hend; the chateau is haunted by evil
things. Nothing hourishes there; all goes
to decay; the families about it will not
visit. And Margot ah, she has tongue !
but think she will admit me because she
IS great aunt TO my wife's cousin. Look
there, M 'seu; you can see the chateau
1hey had been going at quite slow
pace for the road was u bad one, and evil
IDENTITY seldom travelled But as they
turned abruptly TO the left the tall gray
turrets with their sugar loaf peaks, rose
clearly before them, above the trees and
the underbrush which impeded their prog.
resS. AS they came nearer, the wild, de-
serted appearance of everything excited
the strangers attention.
It's almost equal to u palace of the fairy
tales, said he aloud, speaking in English.
If it We're not for my nineteenth century
incredulity might fancy that it held the
sleeping Princess of the Wood
Comment, M'sieu? said Jacques, catch
Ing the words imperfectly, and fancying
| himself addressed.
How do you propse to enter? was the
travellers answering question, and again
he found himself wondering whether he
should not find II trumpet suspended to IL
gate post upon which he must blow u peal
loud enough to awaken the sleeping inhab-
itants.
jacques was looking about him, us is in
some uncertainty himself. His tired mas
ter rode forward to the gateway.
Not there, M'sieu, cried jacques in dis
may. There is another gate somewhere
behind the chateau; or we might get
through the hedge, perhaps, Or over the
wall, but we must leave the horses out
side. Jean Marie may perhaps come to
see after them, but it would never do to
anger Ia Mere Margot by riding in on
horseback.
Riding round and getting over
I the tangled mass of grass and over
grown weeds rs best they could, Jacques
! pcered in all directions for an entrance and
found it.
Here is the gate, M'sieu; bui it is locked.
Blessed st. Jean! we cannot climb those
iron ratings. What is to be done?
Upon which helpless question, the stran-
ger mpatiently seized the half-hiddcn
handle of II bell and sounded Il loud peal.
Before its echo had died away, voice
arose behind them.
BE of! what doSt thou want? We can
have no stragglers about the chateau dor
vale. Just beyond the gate stool IN old
wthered up woman. She looked like II
bit of n vixen, but yet her black, bead-like
eyes had Il gleam in them that was not
altogether unkindly: on her arm was Il
blsket half full of wood, which she had
evidently been gathering,
la Mere Margot, began Jacques. re-
moving his hat, and speaking in II con
ciiatorv tone, am Jacques Virot; does
thou not remember? M'sieu, here, is i'll
and unable to proceed even rs far as St.
Etienne For old acquaintance sake, Mere
Margot, give Us shelter for tonight
But Mere Margot, instead of replying
to the civil speech, proceeded TO rate him
soundly for daring to come at all. Did
his impertinence think that the chateau
was an auberge, or that she had time to
waste in getting supper for such as he!
| And how did she know that the stranger
might not be one Of those accursed Prus-
SLAMS, not one of whom had ever yet
crossed the threshold of the chateau. The
stranger cut short the harangue,
have been wounded good mother, said
he. But am fully able to pay you fol
your hospitality; though | will not ofenC
you by Offering money, knowing the hos
pitabie reputation of the dOrvalcs. Nero
Margot looked mt him keenly.
IIumph! said she. Who are you thai
you can know anything ofus? Blond an(
beg-you are Prussan
Whether | am or not. said the stranger
dsregarding her fierce tone, fought ioI
France ut Sedan.
The woman's face soitened. He is toe
Young to lie while looking in my eyes, she
muttered. But-no! why should do III
Go to st. Etienne for your lodgings.
Just then clear, bird-like voice was
heard humming IL tune upon the other Sid'
of the gate. AIargot gave IN uneasy
glance in the direction whence ii came.
tell yon. Sir, we cant shelter you
Jacques Virot, begone. How dare yol
come here; don't You know this place il
sacred?
Lifting her bands to enforce obedience
the stranger, utterly exhausted, fell heavi
" to the ground. At the same moment
the gato was opened, and slight, baaull
ful girl appeared.
Where's your icy that you should ring
Margot? hear Jean abusing it. And
what is all thi>? Who are thcyP
The sweet, bell-likc voice f'ltered; th'
Young Girl drew back. Inspiration selze'
ON Jacques. He resolved to appeal to her
For the love of Heaven, Nam sellc II
Baronpe. let me carry him in! Ii he has
not some brandy and his wound Is no
dressed. he will die. See, he has tainted
Bah! he is II Prussian, cried Margot
let him die. But the little Baronne sai'
not word; she glded toward HIM.
lie will not die! she said, nodding heI
head, after long scrutiny of the senseIGs
form in jacques arms. But he VIII 6'
rompary for me, and [ am tired OF th'
loneliness. Margot, tell Jean Marie t'
come here and help carry him in to th'
chateau, >, ....;,.,
tones. very singular in one 50 young a.
seventeen. Jacques looked ut her IN open
monlhed admiration. Margot began t'
grnmble; but the Baronne quietly repeat
eJ her order, and Morgot hobbled OIL
scoldng as she went
When he came out Of his long swoonl h'
onenod his ewes upon surroundings thal
~ drsr completely bewildered him. l'
Iar s ~ nnnn - wide sofa, in the centre oil
iayge. M gloomy looking saloon; Jacque
"a7 7 hendinp over him, and an Old man
who kept up an incessanG laiking' ,,, n
snrcies Of monotone. was applying some
sprt Of cooling lotion to his shoulder
lam Marie. no doubt As his sense'
1e'n ha"t his ewes fingered long ant