Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-25
CHAPTER v.
A PRIEST AND A WOMAN.

lie ID my nusDanu!
The statement was made in the purcst
innocence; yet never, as may well be
imagined, did words fall with more
stunning force. Not one Of us an
swere1, or, believe, moved so much US
q limb or an cyelid. We only stared,
wanting time to take in the astonishing
meaning Of the words, ard then more
time to think what they meant to us in
particular.
Louis de Pnvannes' wife! Louis de
pavannes married. II the statement
were true-and we could not Doubt,
looking in her face, that at least she
thought she was telling the truth--it
meant that we had been fooled indeed!
That we had had this journey for moth
ing, and run this risk Tor a villain.
1t meant that the Louis de Pavnnnes
who had won our boyish admiration
was the meanest, the vilest of court
gallants. That Mile. de Caylushad been
his sport and plaything. And that
we IN trying to be beforehand with
Beers had been striving to save a
scoundrcl from his due. 1t meant all
that as soon as we grasped It in the
least
"Madame," said Croisette, gravely,
after pause so prolonged that her
smile faded pitifully from her face,
scared by our strange looks, "your
husband has been some time away from
you? He only returned, ! think, q
week or two ago?'
"That is So" she answered, naively,
and our last hope vanished. Put
what Of that? lie was back with me
again, and only yesterday-only yes
terday'" she continued, claeping her
hands, I'VE were SO happy
"And now, madame?"
She looked at mel not comprehend
ing.
II mean," hastened to explain, I'VE
do not understand how you come to be
here. And prisoner | was really
thinking that her story might throw
some light upon ours.
II do not know myself" she said.
yesterday, in the afternoon, paid a
visit to the Abbess Of the Ursulines.
"Pardon me- Croisette interposed
quickly, but are you not Of the new
faith? A Huguenot?"
"Oh, yes" she answered, eagerly.
"But the abbess is a very dear friend OF
mine, and no bigot.' Oh, nothing OF
that kind, assure you. When l am in
Paris | visit her once a week Yester-
day, when left her, she begged me to
call here and deliver message"
"rhen," | said, 'you know this
housew
"Nery well, indeed" she replied. 1T
is the sign of the Hand and Glove one
door out of the Rue Platriehe. have
been in Master Mirepoix's shop more
than once before. | came here ycster-
dav to deliver the message, leaving my
maid in the street, and was asked to
come upstairs. and still up until l
reached this room. Asked to wait a
moment, began to think it strange
that should be brought to so wretchcd
place, when | had merely message
for Mirepoix's ear about some gaunt-
lets. | tried the door; found it was
locked. Then was terrified, and made
q noise"
We all nodded. We were busy build
Ing up theores-or it might be one and
the same theory-to explain this
"Yes," | said, eagerly.
"NIirepoix came to me then. What
does this mean? | demanded. He
looked ashamed Of himself, but he
barred my way. Only this he said, at
last, that your ladyship must remain
here few hours--two days at most
| No harm whatever is intended to you
My wife will wait upon you, and wher
| you leave us all shall be explained III
would say no more, and it was in vail
that | asked him If he did not take Int
for some one else; il he thought was
mad. To all he answered: No Ant
when | dared him to detain me HI
threatened force. Then succumbed
I have been here since, suspecling
know not what, but fearing every
thing"
"That isended, madame" answered
my hand on my breast, my soul in arm
for her. Here, unless ! was mistaken
was one more unhappy and more deep
" wronged even than Kit; one too VIII
owed her misery to the same villain
"Were there nine glovers on the stairs,
| declared roundly, Eve would tax
you out and take you home! Where ar
vanr husbands anartmants2"
"In the Rue de Saint Merri, close t
the church. We have house there"
IN. de Pavannes," ! suggested, Gun
ningly, ais doubtless distracted by you
disappearance"
"Oh, surely" she answered, with ear
nest simplicity. while the tears spranl