Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-11-26
cHAPrER Iy-(Coxr,xu.p.)

CHATTER lN.-tIOhTiHob~I
what! Jeannot believing In ghost'
That Is strange indeed:
HE declared that he had seen It haii
dozen times; that 1t was always u.
such place and that II carried shovei
and strange flames danced along its
pathway. laughed at his creduiity'
till suddenly he turned and dared me 10
accompany him. to have PROOF given
ne by my own eyes" "a,
Dared you. Felicie? Could olu
Ieannot have been SO insolent anu In
.,rudent?"
"oh, he was perfectly respectful: ana
remember. l had stung him to rotor.
by my railery and unbelief. He caiiea
% me at sunset, as was on the Ter
race, that the apparition had passed,
and / might see It return II ! woulu
hasten to the forest. So weht' mAm
ma"
The countess looked startled.
1T was fortunate the count was ao
sent: what would he have sald!
"Ah, but knew he was not mere, anu
1 trusted to obtain your forgiveness.
Yes, mamma. l went with Jeannot' anu
| saw the ghost"
"You are jesting. Felicie!
Not at all; certainly saw the darh
figure, with the spade over his shouia.
ers. and a weird circle OF blue hgh.
followed him, or, rather. surroundea
him. Don't let Jeannot dream Oh ~,
but 1 was truly frightened. IL Is
really very strange. especially H. Us
Jeannot asserts, there is no trace OF
human working In the forest, Tor we
heard the blows distinctly"
"This is extremely singular; 1t must
be investigated at once. did not tell
you the rest that your father wrote.
He said all Paris was In fermeht Oh
secret agitation. The Assembly are NJ
their wits end how to remedy the disas-
trous condition of the whole country
the lower classes are sullen. ana naVe
been detected in vast organization
for some unknown purpose. he pade
me charge NJ. Pierre to keep jealous
watch over our peasantry. and FORBID
their leaving the place. or receiving
strangers, who might spread among
them the incendiary disaffection OF the
larger towns. l was in hopes there was
no need of the caution, but this story OF
Jeannot's alarms me; of course re,ec'
the supernatural part OF 1t. but that
stranger is lurking around mere cannon
be doubted, II you have seen him win
your own eyes. Ring the bell, my love;
/ will speak to NJ. Pierre Mt once"
"I wonder my father did not write to
NJ Pierre his Instructions: he knows
how disagreable the man is to you!
observed Felicie, as she obeyed.
The countess did not answer; she
was gazing thoughtfully upon the
floor. .-y..,r
"I will send for Jeannot. too. after
NJ, Pierre Is gone." she said at iength'
I'VE must neglect no possible precau-
tion."
"What do you fear. mamma? am
sure we have no one on the estate pu'
would willingly risk his own lie to
saye yours. or mine, either, for that
matter"
"I was not thinking OF myself, Fe-
licie. but Of your father; / fear he Is
not liked by any Of our people. ne
does not understand their trials, ana
is Impatient with them sometimes
tear they call him harsh master"
u am sure 1 cannot blame them;
often and often haveI1 blushed IN
shame for him, and glowed with indig-
nation for them," answered the candid
daughter.
The crimson tide swept over the
countess face. as though 1t were her
own sinfulness Felicie had alluded to-
She waved her hand deprecatingiy
and Felicie knew that insinuations
against her father would not be lis
tened to.
"Here comes the adorable NJ. Pierre
= hear that mincing footstep. of his
Pm. ON your statliest dignity, mamma
II the peasantry bear malice against
others. / am certain they could teal
him limb from limb. / am sure 1t Is
like a snow-blast whenever he comes
near me. Ugh! one must endure loath-
some things now and then sup
pose"
"Hush, Felicie! NJ. Pierre is your
fathers confidential agent"
"But you despise him-you know you
do. mamma! Why may not one speak
the things they cannot help thinking?
There was no opportunity for answer
| ing, The door was noiselessly un-
closed, and middle aged man. dressed
In tightly fitting suit Of snuff colored
broadcloth, with silk stockings of the
same color, and shining steel knee
buckles, came forward, bowling with a
singular mixture Of servility and auda-
city.
The low obeisance said plainly-I re-
spect your rank: you are my lady, the
countess. But the bold eye and super
cilious smile added-you detest me. but
l do not care. am above any harm
from you. Let me do or say what
will, you are powerless to send me
away.
You sent for me, my lady-you wish
to speak to me-" said he, in smooth
oily voice, bowling once more.
| You are right wish for few mo-
ments' conversation. Be seated"
| Ono who had lately cenp her gentle