Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-21

perhaps 60" Beers answered. his
voice like the grating Of steel on steel.
1'Dut at any rate this will be memoir
able day for mademoisella The day on
which she receives her first congratula-
tions.-she will remember 1t as long as
she lives! Oh, yes, I will answer for
that, NJ. Anne" he said, looking bright
ly at one and another Of us, his eyes
more obIique than ever, "mademoiselle
will remember II, am sure!"
1t would be impossible to describe the
devilish glance he flung at the poor sink
ing girl as be withdrew, the horrid en-
phasis he threw into those last words,
the covert deadly threat they conveyed
to the dullcst ears. That he went then
was small mercy. lie had done all the
evil he could do at present. II his de-
sire had been to leave fear behind him,
he had certainly succeeded.
Kit, crying softly, went into the
house; her innocent coquetry more
than sufficiently punished already. And
we three looked at one another with
blank faces. 1t was clear that we had
made q dangerous enemy, and an enemy
at our own gates. AS the vidame had
said, these were troublous times when
things were done to men-ay and to
women and children-whch we scarce
dare to speak Of now II wish the VI
comte were here" Croisette said, un-
easily, utter VIC had discussed several
unpleasant contingencies.
"Or even Malines, the steward" !
suggested.
"He would not be much good" re-
piled Croisette. sand he is at St An
tonin, ind will not be back this week.
Father Pierre, too, is at Albi.'
"You do not think" said Marie,
"that he will attack us?"
certainly notl" Croisette retorted,
with contempt "Even the vdalne
would not dare to do that in time Of
peace. Besides, he has not half score
ofmen here" continued the lad, shrewd-
ly, "and counting old Gil and ourselves
we have as many. And Pavannes always
sud that three men could hold the gate
ut the bottom Of the ramp against o
score. Oh, he will not try that"
certainly not" agreed. And sowe
crushed Marie. "But for Louis de Pa
vnnnes-"
Catherine interrupted me. She came
out quickly, looking different person;
her face flushed with anger, her tears
dried.
"Anne" she cried, imperiously,
"what is the matter down below-will
you see?"
had no difficulty in doing that. All
the sounds Of town life came up to us
on the terrace, Longing there we
could hear the chaffering over the
wheat measures in the closters Of the
market square, the yell Of dog, the
voice Of n scold, the church bell, the
watchman's cry. | had only to step
to the wall to overlook IL all. On this
summer afternoon the town had been
for the most part very quiet. five had
not been engaged in our own affairs
we should have taken The alarm before,
rcmarking in the silence the first be-
ginnings of what was now very re-
spectacle tumult. 1t swelled louder
even as we stepped to the wall.
We could see--a bend in the street
laying it open--part of the vidame's
house; the gloomy square hold which
had come to him from his mother His
own chateau of Beers lay far away
In Franche Comte, but of late he had
shown q MISUNDERSTANDING could
best account for 1t, pcrhaps--for this
mean house in Caylus. 1t was the only
house in the town which did not be-
long to us. II was known as the'llouse
Of the Wolf, and was II grim stone
building surrounding courtyard.
Rows of wolves heads carved in stone
thanked the windows, whence their bare
fangs grinned day and night at the
church porch opposite.
The noise drew our eyes in this d.
rection; and there, lolling in window
over the door, looking out on the
street with u laughing eye, was Beers
himself. The cause of his merriment
we had not far to look for twas
o horseman who was riding up the
street under difficulties. lie was rein
ing in his steed--no easy task on that
steep, greasy pavement--so as to pre-
sent some front to score or so OF
ragged knaves who were following
close at his heels, hooting and throw
irr- mud ond ,ahhlce nj him The man