The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1893-06-30
A WIDOWS WALK.

The Marquise de Beauminois had
mourned sufficiently for equity and I'M
reasonably jealous husband, She had
recently laid aside her weeds and began
neuvaine, when an order from the
king enjoined her to lodge a 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
Marouhot. The marquise, who wore an
exceptionally elegant toilet, was asking
herself for the thousandth time that
week, DO | really love himy" and,
though she reflected seriously, her ques-
ton remained unanswered.
THAT Gillou is 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-
Gated, courteous and even gallant upon
occasion"
AS the marquise drew her chair nearer
to the table where the two men We're
sitting, the captain began to tease her.
"What serious countenance, ma
dame! fear my stories about brigands
have so frightened you that you will not
dare to venture two steps in the park
this evening""
Dom Maroufot looked at the clock
and said ut is the hour for your neu-
vaine, madame. | will ring for the serv-
ants to escort you"
mo, no, it is needless!" replied the
marquise, piqued by the dukes sarcasm.
81 shall go to the chapel alone. l 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.
Nine. Beauminois' mind was filled with
1.-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
little more quickly than usual Then
she 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
that he remained motionless and in are
spectful attitude. she took courage and
advanced
The man dipped his fingers in the holy
water and held them oat to her. She did
not dare to refuse the strangers offer,
and, thanks to a ray of moonlight that
filtered through stained glass window.
she remarked that he had very bcauti-
full hand
A little treasured, she made a sign of
the cross and left the chapel.
She had scarcely taken 10 steps before
the unknown man rejoinod her, and she
started at hearing II voice which she
thought she recognized. although it was
singularly softenel
will you allow me to offer you my
arm, madame? Some accident might be,
fall you alone in this great park at such
an hour
He had such courtly bearing that
the 1narquisc felt perfectly safe.
AS they crossed an opening bathed in
moonlight, she examined her comparison
mere closely. Els mask left the lower
part of his face uncovered. Not only
did she believe that it was not the FIRST
time she had heard this voice. but it
seemed to her that it was the same blond
mustache which had lightly touched her
hand each evening in a discreet kiss
The masked man had therefore almost
the same voice, mustache and figure as
the duke.
He had disguised himself to frighten
her. This discovery gave her a great
desire to laugh, and she leaned upon his
arm with more confidence. Finding the
adventure Il pleasant one, she resolved to
play her part of the courageous woman
seriously SO long as it should please the
duke to remain a brigand.
Besides, what Il fine occasion TO learn
under cover of jocularity the dukes real
sentiments
do you often go out alone like this
my pretty devotee?"
Eyes. NJ. Mask. all alone, just like
this"
do you not know that Gillou and his
band are running about the country"
Eyes, know it.
Are you not afraid of brigandst"
THAT depends upon the brigand"
Myself, for example"
"Are you real brigandY'
"Alas, yes, fair lady" he said in a
melancholy tone
Indeed replied the marquise. Lam
sorry for you, but you do not brighten me
bit Quite the contrary"
| the stranger n;,d stcn II grateful ten
der AID eloquent look that the young
woman was touched. She would never
have believed that tie dukes = Is could
XXI 4a,s 50 i-.acl Is th,.
would it DO indiscreet, beautiful
princess, to ask why you went to the old
ahapelg'
Il went to finish NY neuvaine.'
"A neuvainel And for what reason?''
"Guess."
"Are you married, my queenY'
81 have been. but"
"All understand. You were offer
ing up vows for the end of your widow
hood"
Perhaps that is it.
| Without another word he began to
press series of kisses upon the mar
chioncss' taper fingers. :,
Her hesitation increased the enemy's
boldress, and when she Thought of draw.
ing away her hand he had already abau.