Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-08
N A N 9 N
OR,
WOMEN'S WAR.
BY ALEXANDER DUMAS.
Or,
(Continued.}

Richou left me, | heard you had taken
this road, and, fortunately having bust
ness in this direction, I set off to join
you; hut did not anticipate so much
trouble in catching you. Peste! vic.
cemte, how you do rider
The vicomte smiled.
"Castorin,' continued Candles, 'heIp
Pompey into his saddle"
And now," said the vicomte, 'let
Us continue our Journey"
zone monaent," said Pompey, in a
rather embarrassed manner; ''it seems
10 me that | have lost something"
Il should think so. Where is the
yaIise?"
oh" cried Pompey, feigning aston
ishment
You have not lost it?''
1T cannot be far off, SIR
us this it," Jked Castorin. picking
up the object of the search.
Yes" said the vicomte.
at was not his fault" said Candles,
willing to make a friend Of the old
squire, ''the straps are broken"
mo, sir; they are cut" said Castorin.
ooh, oh! NJ. P0mpey, what means
that?'
TT means, sir" said the vicomte.
severely, that. in his dread of rob
bers he has thrown away what he had
In charge
Pompey tried TO murmur something
about his knife slipping, but failed
Never mind" said Candles, Il will
escort you now, and two men are not
10 be despised."
mo, certainly" replied Pompey.
Monsieur" said the vicomte, 'sI
thank you sincerely for your offer, but
we are not travelling the same way"
How" said Candles, much disap-
pointed that the young man still tried
to avoid him. Not going tine same
way! Are you not going to-"
"Chantllly," interrupted Pompey, who
felt no inclination to lose the promised
escort
Well" said Canoiles, without seem
NJ To notice the angry gl&nceS cast
by the vic0mte at his Offici0us servant.
that is just my way; or rather, vic
omte, / have nothing to do, gYd do
not care where L go. If you go to
Paris, so do /: if to Marsedlles, / ain
equally ready"
Monsieur" replied the vioomte,
must l then say that L travel on seri-
Gus business, and private reasons force
NE to decline all company"
1t required nothing less than the
little gray glove, still in his posses
sion, to keep the baron from replying
angrily. AS it was he only said,-
Monsieur, / have never heard that
the high road belonged to only one. !
came not with the intention of annoy
Jig you, but rather to protect you; for
you are young, feeble, and defence
less. | did not think my aspect so
fearful, but as you seem to find it so,
l have the homer of wishing you "a
safe journey, and will ride on And
Candles, bowling gracefully, went on
followed by Castorin.
The vicomte was touched; he reflect
ed for a moment, then drove after him,
IN. de Canolles."
The baron, who had feigned not to
hear him approach, thought the voice
sweet as the music of the sphere; but
he only said, Well, yicomte2"
Sir" continued the other, with his
gentle voice, Il fear I was so rude
to you. Pardon my foolish fears, and
let me ride with you.''
Certainly cried Candles, with all
my heart, l bear no malice, vicomte -
And he held out his hand, into which
the little white hand slipped for q
moment. The rest of the night passed
in lively sallies on the. part of the
baron. The yicomte listened and
laughed. But said he, at last, chow
did you terminate your affair with
the Due d'Epernon?"
ooh! had nothing to do with him
l suppose he got tired of waiting fe1
me, and went away at last"
But Madlle. de Lartigues?' said the
.vicOmte, with a slight hesitation.
"Madlle. de Lartisues, vicomte, could
not be both with the duke and with
ne: [ am not unreasonable"
But if you are so much in love with
-ner, how did you make up your mind
to leave herr Candles looked at the
young man with his eyes now en1ight
ened, and felt strongly tempted to re
ply. But the presence of the servants
restrained him. He thought also if
spite of the little hand and the little
after all, / should be wrong-if, in
glove he should prove to be a man
what fool l should look SO he onsy
replied by smile.
They stopped at Bartezieux to break
fast. The vicomte was forced to take
off his hat, and to display fully his
beautiful hair, which nearly removed
all Candles remaining doubts; still
he felt kind of pleasure in this in
cognito, which permitted him a degree
of freedom he would not otherwise
have enjoyed. He carefully avoided
showing that he penetrated it.
He was rapidly falling in love will
his charming companion. After break
fast they continued their route, bu
the vicomte began to show visible
signs Of fatigue, although he con
stantly denied it. After dinner, Ca
noHeS, seeing that the vicomte coulG
hardly move, said, "Vicomte, you ar,
tired, and want rest, we will stop fol
the night at the next inn, and trus
me to secure the best room for u.
tw
The vicomte looked at Pompey. witt
such an air of terror. that Canolle:
-