Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-18

friend safe into n1adernoiselle's house, y
Domenic street. All the post boys know It,"
| said Grace; and she also rose to assist her
! cousin in last attentions to their invalid
guest
| II wonder what ails that little o'Grady
| GIRL" thought Capel. "She is not sorrow
| Ing over my departure; she has anything
| but fancy for me-
An hour later chaise and pair was at
the door. and ''all hands," that is, all the
| masculine hands in the house, seemed busy
| about 1t, strapping on the luggage, put
| ting In the wraps. looking to the wheels
and talking to the post-boy.
What queer, thorghtless, fun-loving
lot they are. Why, none of them ever
| served me at me Al without a broad grin on
| their faces" thought Cspel, as he stood
on the doorstep looking at the group.
| But Nine. de Suresne now appeared limp
| ing, stick in one hand, and the other
| testing on Digby's arm. She was carefully
| wrapped up in large cloak of velvet, a
| huge bonnet, over which an extensive
| black lace veil was tied under her chin,
\ and black kid gloves, with long empty fin
| ger ends. She made Capel a courtesy in
| spite of her injured ankle and thanked him
| hoarsely for his kindness in taking charge
| OF tfresome old woman. Then with much
care she was assisted into the chaise.
| They do say the boys has been having
| a bit of a scrimmage there by Murrogh-
| more Pass" said the butler; but sure
you'n get through in the height of daylight
| and III they NEEDLE with you the colonel
| Sdi Ju5l say he comes from Athgargan.'
| Il can tell them that Did / not use the
! noble Irish tongue in the old times when
| l was helping the dear Lady who is gone,
in her charities" said madame. '"Come.
| NJ. lie colonel, let us be going
| Capel look leave, therefore, kissing the
young ladys hands. He thrilled at the
| look that came into Grace's eyes rs they
| met his-they were infinitely sad, wistful
| and loving; yes. absolutely loving. With
| this delightful impression he sprang into
| the chaise, the post-boy cracked his whip,
! the assembled men servants gave a cheer,
| throrgh which came sound of laughter,
| and they were off at a good pace down the
| avenue.
| Capel. in a state Of considerable exulta-
| ton, showed his companion every possible
| attention He rolled up his cloak to put
| under her feet. drew up one window and
let down another and was most tender in
| his Inquiries as to her comfort. Her
| answers were brief, but it was evidently
| an effort to her to speak. Presently she
seemed to sleep, and Capel cheerfully re-
| signed himself to silence and castle build
| ing.
Two hours had nearly passed when the
| old lady stirred and reused herself. Capcl
| was Immediately the alert and admins
| tered sandwiches and wine, but madame
did not seem any more inclined TO talk
| than before.
1t might have been half an hour later
when the road entered a narrow valley
| or gorge, with steep, rocky sides, and
Carel observed that the post boy whipped
| up the horses They were tired, for it
| was toward the end of long and hiliy
| stage. As they reached the middel of
| the pass sound of voices, cries, laughter
| reached Capers ears. and turning a bend
| of the road they came in sight of a wild
| looking crowd of ragamuffins, some armed
| with pixies and some with pitchforks and
pistols.
This is awkward" cried Capel, but
| pray do not be alarmed. I'll speak 10
them and they will probably dispense"
The men crowded around the carriage,
hOOting, yelling and evidently bent on y.o-
| lence.
why do we stop you," screamed red
| headed giant of country man, in reply to
| Capels question. because We don't intend
you to be bounding on your informers and
/! murderers to win the price of Costcllos
head. You're twice as bitter an enemy as
the ould brigadier.''
Stop" cried Nine. Suresne, laying her
| hand on his arm. Let me speak. She
put her head cut of the window with some
difficulty.
"Hooray for the ould lady" cried the
! red-headed leader. derisively, and added
some words in an unknown tongue-un-
| known at least TO Capel Whereupon the
! French lady addressed the crowd, appar
emily ia the same language and produced
| great effect. First eyes and mouths
Opened and profound attention was given
to her words. Presently applause began,
! then ecStaSieS of laughter, EXPLANATIONS
and shouts CT evident delight followed.
At last madame drew in her head. Tell
| him TO drive while the boys are in good
| humor," she said.
The command, however, was needless.
The postllion used his spurs. the horses
| broke into gallop, and for some yards a
cheering, laughing, uproarious following
kept pace with the chaise. They soon
tailed off, however, and Capel laugiIinGly
complimented madame on her fluency in
irish. You must have wonderful men,
ory,' he concluded.
| "Ah, you see, L have been staying with
Nine. la Comtess-Lady Masserene. They
| live in a very remote wild country where
| a ish Ina X
| to me"
why did they want to stop us?'
"Voyez vous? They are Costello's boys.
They thought you had put price on his
| head, and l think they wanted to murder
| you. l said you were a friend of Shaun
Digby. and told them funny story. They
| are mere children"
| VERY unpleasant children. Anyhow,
madame. l owe you my life"
| Madame made a little grimace. Gould
I ever have faced my sweet pupil had 1
let a hair of your hair be hurt?' she said.
| DO not suggest false hopes to me-
cried Capel. ut is cruel
| "Ah, mon deu, how tired / am" said
| madame, and relapsed into silence and
| perhaps sleep No further interruption &C.
| CURED till they reached the first of a series
of outposts on line at some distance from
the town. Here the chaise was stopped by
a sentry, who demanded the password and
looked scrutinizinsly into the carriage.
Who is the officer in commando" asked
| Capel, in a tone uf authority.
| Lieut.. Nerrck." replied the sentry.
Il wish to speak with him
The sentry called out the guard, and
soon a bright-looking young OH GER came
| up. He shook hands cordially with Capel.
| Delighted you have come. We are at
| SKIES and sevens-poor old Elton is not up
to his work. You've been staying at -Ath-
garvan? Aha delightful place Have you
carried off Digby's grandmother? Eth, what,
Miss Digby's old French governess? All.
she is not the rose, but has dwelt with her.
| Pray present me-
exchanged, Merrick and Capel spoke apart.
| A%A . Ax