The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-11-20

opposition here. III - are not twenty
able-bodied Brtons In the place. Most
Of them are In church, and they are al!
unarmed."
1 "Ahs ah! you have been amusing
yourself" said the captain. "Well
hasten and say your adieus to the fair
one. for am anxious to be gone"
1T is not matter Of farewell, moth.
Ing so dismal" replied the younger
brother, complacently twirling his mus
tache. ''The fair one Is ready to accom-
pany me whenever I take my depar
ture, but unfortunately she is In church,
and likely to remain there for another
hour. I have heard that the priest OF
Bosham is cleric Of long wind"
write the lady a note, asking her on
some excuse to leave the church." he
said. 81 have with me IN English sail
or who shall deliver it."
Camille scribbled a few lines on a
leaf in his pocket book, folded 1t and
handed it to his brother, who called
Greg to him.
"You know this lady by sight?" he
asked, pointing to the superscription.
| The young sailors face was as steady
as a rock as he answered In the affirma
tive.
Take it to her in the church, then,
and return yourself Immediately. II
you do not return will march my men
to the church and fire upon the people" :"
said Fournier.
Greg disappeared in the shrubbery
| which adjoined the churchyard.
Pushing open the door, he removed
his cap and tiptoed reverently up the
| aisle toward the chancel, where Peggy
Dempster was seated with the choir.
But without approaching the choir
Greg ran quickly up the pulpit steps.
Mr.. Gillyfower turned upon him angri.
ly, but on hearing the words which
| were rapidly whispered In his ear the
vicar looked first startled, then shrewd-
ly intelligent. His communication fin.
| ished, Greg left the church as quickly
as he had entered, with Camille Four
niers note still in his pocket, and with.
out once looking at Peggy.
On the manor house lawn, where the
French seamen made a picturesque
group under the trees, Greg's return
was hailed with acclamation by the
off1cers-by the two Fourniers espe-
cially.
what did she do when you gave her
the note?' asked Camille eagerly.
"She just did nothing" was the un-
concerned reply.
You see, my dear Camille, she has
changd her mind" said the captain.
Come, let us be Off out Of this"
What matter 80 long as I gain my
purposeT retorted the lieutenant bru-
tally. mo, take the others and sail
away II you please. AS for me, nothing
will move ME unless 1 can take the fair
Mile. Dempster."
Captain Fournier bit his Lip, but gave
In. At most 1t only meant waiting un-
I'll the close Of the service, which could
I0$. HSw'S& long deferred, and In the
seclusion Of the manor house grounds
the presence Of the landing party
would, in the meanwhile, remain un-
detected
But when the minutes grew into an
hour and half, yet no signal was given
by the man posted In the shrubbery to
watch the church door, the captain bel
gan to fume and stamp with rage.
He finally threatened to turn the pre-
tense of a forced abduction into a real.
ity and carry Camille on board the Fire.
fly whether or no.
IF you do that" said the lieutenant,
"my first act on reaching France will
be to demand of you satisfaction"
At last the elder Fournier's patience
was exhausted.
Fall in, men," he said to his crew.
eve will put the cloture on this loqua-
cious priest. and take the girl from un-
der his nose. Perhaps that will satisfy
you, ingrate?" turning to Camille.
"Excellently WELL" replied the lieu
tenant. and with the jaunty quickstep
OF France the column tramped into the
shady churchyard, where the sonorous
tones of Mr.. Gillyflower were plainly
audible.
"Peste upon the fellow" muttered the
captain, telling off twenty men to ac-
company him and his brother into the
church.
Greg, who had followed closely at his
elbow. plucking him by the sleeve, said,
quietly:
ut will be long time before you see
France again, captain. See therew
And, leading him to the churchyard
wall, he pointed mockingly at the Fire
fly. The brigantine lay high and dry
on the mud ut her anchorage, and
would not float again for ten hours at
least.
For moment the brave lads life
trembled in the balance. Then, with a
bitter oath, the captain put up his pistol
he had draw
"lf you do the folk no harm you'll be
made comfortable, l expect" said Greg,
with o grin, for he had foreseen that,