Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-12-03

flerre, you nave managed the thing
famously. You ought to go to Paris.
and take hand there"
Perhaps shall. when the outbreak
comes: to tell the truth, the peasants
OF the Languedoc lands owe me llttls
grudge, and I shouldn't care to remain
here when they obtain control. They
don't consider that the count compels
me to be harsh with them"
II shouldn't like to stand in his shoes
in that day." laughed the other man.
l don't doubt but they will tear him
limb from limb"
You will look out for the girl. II
shouldn't be around? she's my prize.
you know" said NJ. Pierre.
what. the daughter? she's comely
wench. they say"
'Yes, and as naughty MS a queen to
me. It's out OF revenge that mean to
take possession OF her, after her par
ents are killed." replied NJ. Pierre, in
fierce tone.
Felicie reached forward and grasped
her mothers icy cold fingers; their
unseen companion clenched his hand
| wrathfully.
NJ. Pierre went on:
1--WE brought some more Of the plate
tonight. The counts keeping away is
n store Of luck for us. They don't
think Of using the richest service at all,
and no one looks after 1t. 1t was a
bright idea, playing the ghost. They
| are all afraid OF their own shadow,
and don't think of attending to half
their duty. The moment the sun sets
not a soul OF them ventures out of the
| chateau, and I doubt II the peasants
leave their cottages. The field is left
clear to u.s."
'It is cleverly managed. comrade. l
grant you that. have brought
some more pixies. We must bury these.
too. But I reckon they won't lie long
| in the ground. If the signs don't fall,
1t won't be a month before we are
masters here"
DO you know what the signal will
be?'
| "All whom we dared to trust. But
we must wait for the tide to set in from
Paris. There are hundreds ready to
spread the spirit through the country
when the scheme Is ripe"
"I have spoken for fishing smack
to wait for me off st. Thomas" said
NJ. Pierre, at length.
| what is that for?"
ITO take the treasure to safety, and
maybe I shall go too
"That Is queer. should think you
would stay to see the fun out"
| Maybe; but l shall want to take
Lady Felicie away"
She'll have to leave of the lady
precious soon, I'm thinking. But come,
II we are to bury the pixies and the sill
yer, it's time to attend to the digging.
Jolly ghosts are we! 1t was rare sport
for me to throw my birthstone around
when that old demented Jeannot was
coming toward me-"
1--WE must thank him for the idea;
should never have thought of it but for
him. l believe you won't be able to
turn the old dotard; he'll stand up for
that proud woman and her daughter
to the last minute;-I can swear to
that"
Then he will get knocked over him
self. that's ALL" was the brutal re-
joiner.
| And taking up their shovels the
three worthless went forward a little dis
tance, and they in the tree could hear
the rapid shoveling and careless talk
for half hour at least. Then slowly
one by one they dispersed, and all was
silent in the forest.
When the coast was once more clear
the countess exclaimed fervently:
THANK Heaven that I was prompted
| ulrII ~ L. uyhQra
to look for my enemy. oh, why does
the count linger in PARISH"
Because he could not leave. An
edict has gone forth from the Assembly
prohibiting any one from leaving Paris.
It will not hinder him long. however. 1
left means for their escape, and you
may expect them any moment now."
"You are so kind" faltered the
countess.
France cleared frJm a weight of tyran-
n.y." was the sad-toned reply. Il learn
ed of this conspiracy through COM
rade of Jaques, in Paris, and have eau
tiously watched their movements. A
blessed accident revealed to me the
hollow trunk of this huge tree. went
to work cautiously and sawed out the
door. fitting it with secret hinges.
have excavated lateral passage below.
See. this board can be lifted. There
will be comfortable and safe retreat
under ground just below that huge
rock, in two days more. l shall store
! food there 1t Is for you and your
daughter, If the terrible days come l
dread-come before you are able to es-
cape from these shores. Innocent and
noble hearted as you are, you will be
sacrificed because of your connection
with Count Languedoc, unless l save
you"
Heaven bless you!" calculated Lady
Felicie.
The countess struggled a moment
with herself, and then said, firmly:
"You must save the count, likewise
| or I shall not stir step from the
chateau"
"If it be possible. will do my
| best" was the grave reply.
"Now / can exclaini also-Heaven
bless you, Emile" sobbed che countess.
"Emile!" exclaimed Lady Felicie,
"oh, mamma, is it Emile? How WISH
! it were not dark!
TO ne CoNrINUEp.b