The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-01-11
CHAPTER IIL-CoxrINuED.

CHAPTER IIL-CcNTINUED.
The man burst the door open with
one powerful thrust, and they en-
tered. The pillow was tumbled, an
impress of a head, and there was a
crumpled handkerchief, still damp
from tears. A little round depression
at the foot of the bed showed where
the dog had lain. De Restaud looked
In her wardrobe. He knew she wore
that yellow silk; she persisted in that
since the stranger had been there.
Her very small shoes were all in a row
an untidy one at that. She had
worn her little bronze slippers. And
here, Annette vouched for this, were
all her hats and wraps. She had no
money, he was sure of that. Did not
Hannah Patten tell him she had re-
fused to give Minny money, for fear
the child might run away and get into
trouble? He hated Hannah Patten,
but he knew her to be honest. There
was one man who would dare aid
her-that stranger, with his cool gray
eyes and contemptuous glance. 1t was
all the sense Minny had, to go to this
entire stranger for help; and he would
help her; was she not young and pretty
and fool? De Restaud was very
white now, and oddly cool. He went
to his room for his pistols. His friends,
awakened by Louis. were looking at
the loading of theirs. Annette had
hurriedly prepared coffee which the
men drank standing up. Louis brought
the horses around.
''Shall l come, MONSIEUR" he asked,
eagerly.
mo; you would be needed if did
not return. You viii tell the general.
If my suspicious are true, l shall kill
that man or be killed myself. But
will be sure; and all of YOU wait until
tell you to act. l intend 20 make no
mistakes"
The FIVE men galloped down the road
in haze of golden dust. 1t was eleven
o'clock, and Mime. de Restaud had
been gone as many hours. She had
long start on her way, and they might
ride far and fast to find her. DIR. John,
In his lowered dressing gown, but
without his embroidered cap, which
had mysteriously disappeared, sat be-
fore the closed door of the log cabin.
He was smoking peacefully, and
seemed to regard the five strangely
acting men in the road as pleasing
part of the landscape. De Restaud,
leaving his companions some little dis
tance away, rode close to the cabin.
''Mr. Oliver is, of course, within?" he
said, politely.
The doctor looked up at the pallid
face with its blazing eyes..the work
ing lips, the clinched hand, the fright
full controlled passion of the man, and
answered, calmly, withdrawing his
pipe; ''0f course"
"Ee is aloue?"
81 think so. i, His man is cleaning the
guns back of the house"
Mr. Oliver he sleep very late"
hissed the Frenchman, forgetting his
English in his wrath and muttering
something in his own language.
''He do" said the doctor, ungram-
matically, with twinkle in bis eye.
81 must ask you, sir, to wake your
friend. have business with him."
4'And l must answer. sir, am very
sorry, but know his temper, and do
not care to wake my friend. He is not,
as your nation say, tres aimable whenI
awakened from slumber"
81 do not come here to quarrel with
you," cried the Frenchman, but with
him"
''It would require two to quarrel,
Mr.. de Restaud. and am a peaceable
man. Therefore 1 may say do not
wake Mr.. Oliver for business"
ct is my belief, old man, you are
lying. Oliver is not in your house"
''It is his house; let us at least be
correct Suppose you question his
s5aan; he may be willing to wake Mr..
eOliver. Or you may settle your busi-
mess with him. Mike, Mike, 1 say"
As the big fellow came around the
house, grinning sheepishly, the doctor
picked up his book.
Here, or, as your nation say, voici
lie hired man. He is yours, monsieur.
With your pardon, will resume my
chapter"
He received no answer. De Restaud,
seeing Mike had a fine rife in his
hand, went back to the waiting Ilo..I.
and they had a conference which
ended in all riding closer to the house.
go tell your master NJ. de Restaud
desires to see him." said De Restaud,
angrily. 81 will endure no impudence.
Do as tell you"
s'I'm sorry, sor,' said Mike, h1mbly,
s deed l am, fur I'd loike to oblige
yees, but him an me set up till late