Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-12-03
CHAPTER v.-tcosrrsu.D.)

ested In the accomplishment OF our
purpose. l have an uneasy conscious
ness Of a brewing tempest, and II 1t be
possible l wish to ascertain in what
! quarter to mistrust treachery."
IF you remain undaunted l shall be
sure to keep my courage"
Go then, my love. to prepare warm
mantle. and we will take our dinner
upstairs. and the moment the tray is
removed we will slip away unperceived
into the garden, from which 1t will be
ensy to steal across the lawn. since
none Of the servants venture out after
sunset
AS they had arranged, the countess
and her daughter slipped through an
unfrequented corridor and reached the
balcony, from which a long flight of
steps descended to the garden, and
while the whole household believed
them sitting quietly in the little bou-
doir, as was their custom after dinner.
they were speeding along across the
park, holding each other by the hand,
while the evening shadows gathered
quickly around their pathway.
Mamma" whispered Lady Felicie,
as soon as she found breath. M. Pierre
may have seen us as we crossed the
terrace"
mo, my love-" answered the coun-
tess triumphantly. From my retreat
in the rear saw him emerge from that
long unused door under the portico; he
locked 1t carefully behind him. and
stole along through the shrubbery like
a guilty creature. He had something
under his arm, too; he has half an hour
at least the advantage over us. but l
hope to discover something concerning
his movements before We return"
And you are not afraid?" queried
Lady Felicie In a trembling voice.
"Ah, my child, does not love for her
young make the tigress fight desperate
ly against fearful odds? Will not the
sentlest and most timid of the brute
creation dare anything to protect their
offspring from menacing danger?
have an instructive fear that peril is at
hand; for myself I should be little
alarmed: for your sake, my Felicie. l
am ready to brave anything"
Lady Felicie pressed her hand warm
ly, but she still trembled.
IT am not sure that am more afraid
Of M. Pierre II he discovers US than
OF the ghostliest ghost that was ever
seen"
"He Is the more dangerous person,
certainly: but we will not be seen. You
said Jeannot put you into place COM
find 1t again?"
.oh, yes; keep hold OF my hand,
mamma, and will lead you thither."
They passed on the rest OF the way
in silence, walked very swiftly till they
reached the low underbrush, and keep
ing as much as possible in the shade of
the trees.
Felicie drew her breath more quiver-
ingly as they gained the woods, but
went on steadily to the same retreat In
to which Jeannot had introduced her.
They were scarcely settled there be-
fore the cracking boughs announced
an approach.
The two watchers held their breath,
and peered forward.
The same dark figure with the
shovel, the slow pace and weird accom-
panying light-this time 1t was passing
into the wood.
The countess, holding her daughters
hand firmly, stepped out from her hid
ing place as soon as 1t had passed
short distance beyond them.
Lady Felicie hung back moment,
obeying the somewhat impatient COM
maud of the countess, who whispered
cautiously:
DO not spoil all, Felicie; come with
me, or shall follow alone"
"Oh, mamma, suppose 1t turns
around and sees us?" returned Felicie,
in the same suppressed voice.
81 cannot help 1t; 1 will know who
and what 1t is; but the shade on this
side will prevent our detection II we
step cautiously"
And the heroic countess trod lightly
on the messy bank, taking care to
avoid the drier and more rustling path
way. and left her daughter to follow
behind her.
The luminous circle in which the
dark figure walked was their guide, for
as they advanced the gloomy darkness
deepened. 1t paused at length and was
stationary for few seconds.
| Inc countess, uOlulhE iici piotoi "'eti
desperate firmness, passed on to the
utter horror of Lady Fclicie, who dared
not. however, remain behind.
Nearer and nearer to the mysterious
figure advanced the two ladies. Lady
Felic:es heart beat suffocatingly, but
the countess compelled herself to be
sternly calm, when just as they seemed
TO reach ito! light, figure and all had
vanished.
There was a brad rift in the
dark canopy of leaves above
them. where a mighty monarch
of the wood had been stricken
from his place by & lightning stroke,
and the starlight a,lts pale radiance OF
the waxing moon saone down, dissi-
rating a little of the darkness They
cculd see the trunk of the trees, the
black shadows cast on the ground By
The huge limbs above, and 1t was very
evident there was no longer present tn .
.all figure OF the mysterious guide they
had followed thus far.
The countess stood motionless, pet
r,ced with astonished dismay. Her
laughter scarcely knew whether to feel
relieved. or more deeply terrified.
What can it mean?" whispered the
| countess; this seems incredible. l