The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-22
Being the Memoirs OF CASTOR de
Bonnie, Sieur de Marsac.
A ROMANCE.
ny STANLEY J. WEYMAN.
Author OF The House OF the Wolf" &o.
,rOpyrign. 1898. bv stan!sv j. WsymanJ
CHAPTER XXXL-tCoxrrvuED l.

red thorn. Here at place whero there wor'
three stepping stones l waited for hor; frs
taking away the stopping stones that she
might have to pause. and being at n los
might be glad to see mo.
She came presently. tripping through ar
alley In the low wood, with her eyes on the
ground and her whole carriage full of swee
pensivoness. which 1t did mo good to see.
turned my back on the stream before she saw
me and made a pretenco OF being takon ur
With something In another direction. Doubt
less she sspied me soon. and before she came
very near, but she made no sign until abe
reached the brink and found the stepping
stones were gone
Then whether she suspected mo or not she
called out to me. not once. but several times
Partly to taptalize her. as lovers will, and
partly because 1t charmed me to hear her use
my name would not turn at once.
When I did. and discovered her standing
with one small foot dallying with tho water.
cried out with we'll affected concern and ran
toward her. paying no attention to her Gliding
or the pettish haughtnoss with which she
spoke to me.
Tho stones arc all on your sido." she said
impsriously. who has moved thom?"
looked about, without answering and at
last pretended to find them. while she stood
Watching mo. tapping the ground with one
foot the while. Despite her impatience, the
stone which was nearest to her took care to
bring last that she might not cross without
my assistance But. after oil. she stepped
over 80 lightly and quickly that the hand she
placed In mine seemed scarcely to be there
second. Yet when she was over managed to
retain It; nor did she resist, though her check,
which had been red before. turned crimson.
and her eyes fell and. bound to me by her lit
kI.h ,,tl ,,,itl IL
figure dropping.
MademolsolIo," said. gravely. summon
ing all my resolution to my aid. do you
know Of what that stroam. with its stepping
stones reminds me?"
She shook her head but did not answer
'Of the stream which has flowed between
MS from ths day when l first saw you at St.
JEAN" l said in low voice. 1T has flowed
between US. and it still does. separating u.s."
What stream" she murmured. with her
eyes cast down. You speak in riddles. sir"
Yet you understand only too well. made
moiselle." l answered. Arc you not young
and gay. and beautiful. while I am old. or
almost old and dan and grave? You are rich
and we'll thought OF at court. and
soldier OF fortune. not too successful. What
did you think OF ms whom you first saw me at
St Jeani What when | came to Rosny?
That mademoisolle." continued with fervor.
us the stream which flows between US and
separates us. and l know OF but one stepping
stone that can bridge It."
She looked aside. toying with q piece OF
thorn blossom she had picked. which was not
redder than her cheeks.
THAT one stepping istone" said. after
waiting vainly for any word or sign from her.
10 love. Many weeks ago. MAIDEN oisele.
whom had little cause to like you. loved
you. loved you whether l would or no. and
without thought or hope OF return. should
have been mad had l spoken to You then. Mad!
But now. now that owe you my lifo. now that
have drunk from your hand in fever. and
awaking carly and late have found you by my
pillow now that seeing you como In and out
In tho midst OF fear and hardship. and what
mon call misery. have learned to regard you
rs woman kind and gentle as my mother:
now that love you so that to BIO with you Is
Joy, and away from you grief. is 1t presume
lion in me now. mademoisello, to think that
that stream may DO brldgeu?"
l stopped and saw that she was trembling.
But she spoke presently You said one
Yes" answered hoarsely. trying in vain
g look ut her face. which she kept averted
There SHOULD be two" she said. almost in a
Eh i Your love- sir. and,and mine:
proud still: and would not cross he stream
'cu ,sp;s. g! Of for any love Of yours"
put she contin ued. looking up at me on n |
Iudden with eyes II at told me all. because |
Pnce forever. and live Leyond it ali my lie. il
l pay live my life with you"
feli on my knee and kissed her, hand again
md again In rapture OF Joy and gratitude
Il YOU VII. sif.S1 she sal said. you may kiss
After that. as may be guessed, we walked
VERY day In the forest making longer and
d me and the nearer parts grew famiiiar.
From early morning, when brought my love
OF to haa late rom when Fan
sd Pull long 'Ipnd b. S ISSt tsn BE-
,cented lines. ling one, another ali we had
thought OF one another. Somot tim $40 when ttv
ne llght was low in the evening. we spoie OF
bipn Whsp TN fna b once. Out that was In the sun
blood had begun to run strongly in my veins.
spoke Of my great and distant kinsn,nn. Ko:
iim. murmuring again and again in my ear:
l have gro Crossed ii my y o , have crosssir
.old. But in time they ran out First NJ.
francois, spurred by the restlessness OF youth
isld no further left US ami Went back to "i The
oald not fail to touch US rha King Of Tra t
nd. embracing In the sight OF an Immense
,ultitude. had repulsed the Lsague with
laughter In tho suhurhs of St Symphoren.
'ast on this followed the tidlngs OF their march
orthward with an army OF 10000 mon OF both
oligions, bent, ,rumor had It, ON the signal
enlistment OF Paris.
grew. shame that | should say It, to think
acre and more OF these things. until ma
vmolselle. reading the signs, told mo one day
bat We must 20. Though nevor again" she
ddad With ~ sigh shall we he 50 happy"
Then why 500" asked foolishiY,
I
nth n wise smile, "as / would have you. And
ou need something besides love. Tomorrow
"'.Whith herr" said, in amaasmont.
TO tho camp before Paris" she answered.
We VIII go back In the light al day. seeing
DAT va have done nothing OF which to hs
sDnmed, and throw ourselves on tho justice
the KING Of Navarro. You shall place mo
tth Nine. Catherine. who will not refuse 10
rotoat ne; and So, sweet. you, viii nave only
Dursalf to think OF. Come. sir she continued.
ylng her little hand in mine, and looking
70 my eyes. you are not atrailp"
nm more AFRAID than ever l used to be-"
said trembling.
$50 would have it," she WHISPERED hiding
\, n, face on my shoulder, Nevertheless W.
Aud 60 We did Tho aulacIty of such n re-