Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-12-17
si;;:.fl INrG GRNATotlAL PRESS AssocIATioN.ig.Hsi;

| len look on some faces to-day,
and on others suppressed exult-
alton. which suggests to me that Paris
Some terrible thing has happened in
versailles. for one man muttered, when
he thought the count was too far away
to hear, What do you think of Ver-
sailles? How many are left of the
Guards? All, madam, l fear every
thing horrible"
The countess sighed, but would not
add to his disquietude by the revela-
tons in her power to disclose.
The days wore on into weeks; the
weeks became month. Continual re-
ports OF additional horrors arrived. but
no sign of the Marquis Edward. In
vain, also. Lady Felicie strolled off
morning after morning. to the meadow
bridge. No longed-for blossoms ap-
peared. II Emile fingered much longer
the chilly winter winds would despoil
them all. The father was restless and
miserable. and dared not return to
search for his son. The count. too.
grew anxious and less confident. 1t
was terribly trying time for all. The
countess wasted away fearfully; the
suspense seemed consuming her very
life. NJ. Pierre still remained with
them, and outwardly everything pro-
ceeded calmly; hut what a feverish
tide surged and throbbed beneath the
assumed mask OF Indifference on all
sides.
The count and his noble guest were
nnrfnO tho {t,Sf Mt twfIt0hf
October afternoon, when q ragged fig
ure, In a rough peasant blouse, came
slowly up the avenue. The count lifted
his arm in n gesture of rebuke for the
presumption, but the forlorn-looking
creature gave no heed, only hurriedly
approached nearer. Suddenly the mar
Quis with a sob OF relief and astonish-
ment rushed to meet him.
Edward! Good Heavens! In what
plightv
Yes. my father. Thank Heaven,
have reached you at last, but l am
nearly dead with exposure and suffer-
ing" exclaimed the youth. and as he
spoke he tottered and would have fall
en- but for the fathers outstretched
arm.
They carried him into the house
through the balcony window, to save
the prying curiosity of the servants
and SO came most abruptly upon the
countess and her daughter in the little
parlor they had used constantly since
the counts return. Lady Felicie's first
view Of her betrothed husband was
certainly not very fattering one. The
pale face, the disordered hair the rough,
stained clothing might well change
poor Edwards appearance. She retreat
ed in dismay, and left them busily re-
storing animation to the half insensible
youth When at length she summoned
courage to return, he had been moved
into an adjoining chamber. Her moth
er came out. and flinging her arms
around her neck, fairly sobbed.
What is it, dear mammal" exclaim-
ed Felicie.
"Oh, my child, what horrible times
have we fallen upon! That poor youth
has narrowly escaped with his life. He
has been in prison all of this time; he
escaped the day after fearful massa-
ere. The palace was sacked. the Guards
cut down; more than twenty thousand
souls sent into eternity. The poor king
and the royal family are close prison
ers. La Fayette himself, is denounced,
ard has fled to Germany. The whole
la2d will be stepped in blood"
But now the Marquis Edward has
CO ne, we shall all escape" said Fe-
lic,e, soothingly. alarmed at the fixed
look of anguish on her mothers face.
'vIeaven grant it, my child; for you,
at ;east, may there be safety, but wild
forgboding has seized me; l cannot
shake it Off"
";Iuuh hush, my precious mamma,
my blessed one, you are nervous and
exc,tee Perhaps, Emile has come,
likswye. Oh, do not give way, you
whp are all my support and strength"
Sic noble mother clasped her daugh-
ter .losely in her arms, closed her eyes,
ans FeIicie saw her lips moving in fer
vent prayer. After that she smiled
calG.ly
''it Is indeed wrong in me to frighten
yoa, my Felicie: the weakness is over.
Whatever 1t may be. accept my fate
hupt.y, as the portion dealt out to me
by Heaven"
ISow often afterward did these thrill
ing words return to the tender daugh-
ter! How much comfort and grace did
thea pour into her bleeding. mournful
hea,t!
'Gome one aided him. 1t was
strguse name-the Gray Falcon, think
he called it,"
tx was not Emile. then. Somehow
fnncied 1t might be this which de-
tairtd him SO long"
a! this moment the count came into
fhe apartment; he was fairly trembling
with terror.
Make ready for instant departure,
Vloignte," said he; "the moment Ed
w9ra is able to be moved. the marriage
must take place, and an hour after
wHrd must see us on the road to st.
Joseph, where fishing vessel lies wait
inS Tor us. The marquis and myself
haze converted everything possible into
die sionds, and we shall not need to
buIriu ourselves with anything bulky.
We iaight take the plate, if it can be
packed without discovery by the SER
vnrtl. No one but NJ. Pierre will know
~ s.r movements. till too late to him
he.'
''rs Pierre!'' exclaimed both mother