The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1893-07-07

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 were
sitting, the captain began to tease her.
What serious countenance, ma
daniel 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: at is the hour for your neu-
vaine, madame. will ring for the serv-
ants to escort YOU"
mo, no, it is needlessl" replied the
marquise, piqued by the dukes sarcasm.
II shall go to the chapel alone. Iwish
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 filed 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 1t.
At last she reached the chapel, and en-.
tering kneeled and said her prayers q
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 shc saw
that he remained moiioIlcss and in re-
spec,fnl attitude. she took courage and
advanced.
Thn man Dipped his fingers In tho holy
wa;sr and held Them Quito her. She tlii;
not dare tn refuse the strangers offer.
and. thanks to n ray Of moonlight tina.
filtered through n stained glass window
she remarked tiat he had a very bc;iuti-
full haad.
A l;.tlo reassureti, sho made sign Of
the cross anil left the chapel.
She had scarcely taken 10 steps before
the unknown man reioincd her, and she
started at hearing voice which she
thought she recognized. although it was
singul;rly soi;nnod.
Twill 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 marquise felt perfectly safe.
As they crossed en- opening bathed in
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 first
time she had heard this voice. but it
seemed to her that it was the same blond
mustachc which had lightly touched her
hand each evening in discreet kiss.
The masked man had therefore almost
the same voice. mustache and figure as
the duke.
He had disguised himself to brighten
her. This discovery gave her great
desire to laugh. and she leaned upon his
arm with more confidence. Finding the
adventure pleasant one, she resolved to
play her part of the courageous woman
seriously so long US it should please the
duke to remain a brigand
Besides, what fine occasion to learn
under cover of popularity the dukes real
sentiments!
do you often go out alone like this,
my pretty devotee?
'sYes. M. 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 brigands2'
"That depends upon the brigand."
"Myself, for example" :.
"Are you real brigandfr
"Alas, yes, fair lady" he said in q
melancholy tone.
"Indeed," replied the marquise. liam
sorry for you, but you do not brighten me
bit. Quite the contrary"
/ The stranger had such a gratefui, ten
der and eloquent look that the young
woman was touched. She would never
have believed that the dukes eyes could
express 30 much as that.
would it DO indiscrect. beautiful
princess. to ask why you went to the old
hapelt"
II won't to finish my neuvaine.s
"A neuyaine! AnI for what reason:
"Guess."
"Are you married, my queen"
II have been, but
"Ahl / understand. You were offer
ing up vows for the end of your widow
hood"
Perhaps that is it."
Without another word he began t,
press a series of kisses upon the mar
chioness' taper fingers.
Her hesitation increased the enemy
holiness, and when she thought Of draw
ing away her hand he had already aban
doned it for skirmish where the kisse
closed her eyes.
Suddenly she escaped from her i'm
| prisonment and noticed that his eye
were fixed upon the brilliant damon,