Connecticut western news., 1893-10-12
A WIDOWS WALK.

A WIDOWS WALK. The Marquise de Beauminois had mourned sufficiently for gouty and un- reasonably jealous husband. She had recently laid aside her weeds and began a neuvaine, when an order from the king enjoined her to lodge captain and his squadron, which had been sent to clear the country of an, audacious band of brigands.
 The young widow submitted with good grace. While the dragons had free access to the pantry, she did the honors of her table for their chief, the Due de Merval. Dom Maroufot, the chaplain of the chateau, acted as chap eron.
 One evening the duke was talking and drinking in the large wainscoted room, where he was playing chess with Dom Msroudot. The marquise, who wore an exceptionally elegant toilet, was asking herself for the thousandth time that week, Do I really love himf" and, though she reflected seriously, her ques- tion remained unanswered.
 'That Gillou is a clever banditr' growled the captain between two games. "For two weeks we have secured the country, and still he slips through our fingers. have decided to search for him tomorrow with the whole squadron.
 "Gillou is not an ordinary brigand, continued the duke; ''they say he is edu- cated, courteous and even gallant upon occasion"
 As the marquise drew her chair nearer to the table where the two men were sitting, the captain began to tease her.
 "What 8 serious countenance, ma damel fear my stories about brigands have 80 frightened you that you will not dare to venture two steps in the park this evening""
 Dom Maroufot looked at the clock and said: 'It is the hour for your neu- vaine, madame. I will ring for the serv- ants to escort you"
 "No, no, 1t is needlessr' replied the marquise, piqued by the duke's sarcasm. "I shall go to the chapel alone. wish to prove to Captain Merval that women are not such towards as he believes"
 The old chapel was at the farther end of the park. Once out of the house the marquise began to regret her bravado. Mime. Beauminois' mind was filled with the stories she had heard concerning Gil lou-''the man in the mask" as the old women of the country called him. Under her fine satin corsage her heart beat so loudly she could almost hear it.
 At last she reached the chapel, and en- tering kneeled and said her prayers a little more quickly than usual. Then he rose and went toward the door. Suddenly she stopped and caught her breath. A masked man was standing near the holy water vessel. As she saw spectful attitude, she took courage and advanced.
 The man dipped his fingers in the holy water and held them out to her. She did not dare to refuse the strangers offer, and, thanks to ray of moonlight that filtered through & stained glass window, she remarked that he had very beauti. ful hand.
 A little treasured, she made sign o1 the cross and left the chapel. She had scarcely taken 10 steps before the unknown man rejoined her, and she started at hearing voice which she thought she recognized, although it was singularly softened. "Win you allow me to offer you my arm, madame? Some accident might be fall you alone in this great park at sucl l an hour"
 | He had such a courtly bearing thai the marquise felt perfectly safe. AS they crossed an opening bathed il | moonlight, she examined her companion more closely. His mask left the lower part of his face uncovered. Not only did she believe that it was not the frs time she had heard this voice, but i seemed to her that it was the same blond mustaohe which had lightly touched he, hand each evening in 8 discreet kiss The masked man had therefore almos the same voice, mustache and figure a the duke.
 He had disguised himself to frightel her. This discovery gave her 8 grea desire to laugh, and she leaned upon hi arm with more confidence. Finding tn adventure pleasant one, she resolved t. play her part of the courageous woman seriously so long as it should please tn duke to remain brigand.
 Besides, what fine occasion to lear1 under cover of jocularity the dukes req sentiments!
 l Do you often go out alone like this my pretty devoteeY'
 "Yes, M. Mask, all alone, just Hk this.'
 Do younot know that Gillou and hi band are running about the country?"
 "Yes, know it."
 Are you not afraid of brigands?"
 "That depends upon the brigand." | Myself, for example,"
 "Are you real brigandr'
 "Alas, yes, fair lady," he said in melancholy tone.
 "Indeed," replied the marquise. "I ar sorry for you, but you do not frighten m 8 bit. Quite the contrary"
 The stranger had such grateful, ter der and eloquent look that the yount woman was touched. She would neve have believed that the dukes eyes coul express so much as that. | "Would it be indiscreet, beautifu princess, to ask why you went to the ol chspelr'
 II went to finish my neuvaine." i A neuvainei And for what reasoni "Guess."
 "Are you married, my queenr
 "I have been, but
 "Ahl I understand. You were offe ing up vows for the end of your widoy hood"
 Perhaps that is it." T Without another word he began 1
 press series of kisses upon the ma
 chioness' taper fingers. N Her hesitation increased the enemy
 boldness, and when she thought of dray ] ing away her hand he had already, aba
 douad is for Ilkdxnish where ths kiss