Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-21
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had drawn his sword, and his oatns
came up to us, mingled with shrill cries
Of "Vive la messed" and half-drowned
by the Gathering Of the horses hoofs.
We saw stone strike him In the face,
and draw blood, and heard him swear
louder than before.
"Oh!" cried Catherine, clasping her
hands with sudden shrek Of lndig-
nation, any letter! They will get uy
letter."
DEATH" exclaimed Croisette-. "She
Is right 1t is NJ. de Payannes' courier!
This must be stopped! We cannot
stand this, Anne!"
"They shall pay dearly for 1t, by our
lady" I cried, swearing myself. "And
In peace time, too--the villains Gil!
Francis" shouted. "Where ore YOU"
And looked round for my fowllng
piece, while Crolsette jumped upon the
wall, and, forming trumpet with his
hands, shrieked at the top Of his voices
"Iack! he bears q letter from the
vicomte!"
/ But the device did not succeed, and I
could not find my gun. For moment
we were helpless, and before l could
have fetched the gun from the house
the horseman and the hootlng rabble
at his heels had turned corner and
were hidden by the roofs.
Another turn, however, would bring
them out In front OF the gateway, and,
seeing this, we hurried down the ramp
to meet them. | stayed a moment to
tell Gil to collect the servants, and, this
keeping me. Croisette reached the mr.
row street outside before me. As | fol-
lowed him | WIS nearly knocked down
BY the rider, whose face was covered
with dirt and blood, while fright had
rendered his horse unmanageablc.
Ihrting aside, | let him pass-he wos
blinded and could not see me-and then
found that Croisette-braye ladl-had
collared the foremost Of the ruflans
and was beating him with bis sheathed
sword,while the rest Of the rabble stood
back, ashamed, yet sullen, and with
unger in their eyes. A dangerous crew,
| thought; not townsmen, most Of
them.
"Down with the Huguenots" cried
one. as I appeared, holder than tie
rest.
s"Down with the canaille!" Iretorted,
sternly. eyeing the Unlocking ring
"Will YOU set yourselves above the
kings peace, dirt that you are2 Go
back to your kcnnelsI"
The words were scarcely out Of my
mouth before saw that the fellow
whom Croisette was furnishing had got
hold Of o dagger. shouted o warn
Ing, but It came too late. The blade fell,
and-thanks to God-striking the
buckle Of the lad's belt, glanced oil
harmless. I'saw the steel flash up
again-saw the spite In the mans eyes;
but this time WINS o step nearer, and
before the weapon fell passed my
sword clean through the wretch's body.
He went down like n log, Croisette fall
Ing with him, held fast by his stiffen-
ing fingers.
had never killed man before, nor
seen O man die; and II had stayed to
think about It, | should have fallen sick
perhaps. But 1t was no time for
thought; no time for sickness. The
crowd we're close upon us, u line of
flushed threatening faces from vol to
wall. A single glance downwards told
me that the man WINS dead, and set
my foot upon his neck. Hounds!
Beastsl" I cried, not loudly this time,
for though was like one possessed
with rage, It was inward rage, go to
your kennels. VIII you dare TO raise