The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-29

the back of the pavilion, directly upon
the park of St. Cloud. Before the pris-
oner had realized anything of that
which was being done, he found him
self out upon the soft grass with the
bride rein of a horse in his left hand
and a groom at his right hand ready to
assist him to mount. The two men, in
their turn, went to horses waiting for
them and, all leaping into the saddles,
the leader said, presently:
"Seigneur, mount, beg of you. We
ride to Blois for your life"
ITO Blois?" gasped the Able.
But the groom had helped him into
the saddle now and the man having,
with lusty smack upon the quarters,
sent the horse off to join the others,
the Atbe found himself. for good or i'll,
galloping wildly through the Park to
ward the road for Sevres. So absorbed
was he in doubt and wonder that Re
failed to observe the young girl who
rode up to his guides as they left the
pavlllion-though she was masked as
the others were. Indeed, those with
him never drew rein nor spoke a sin
gle word until dawn broke in the sky,
and st. Cloud and it's woods lay far be-
hind them. Then for the first time they
permitted their foaming beasts to go at
the walk and the fresh wind Of the
morning to breathe upon their heated
faces.
The place was the summit of a hill
some Eve miles from the town of Ram
bouillet Below them a valley stretched
pleasantly, and in the far distance the
spire of the church at Yvette stood up
tsn n f,,g.N 81, Il.
My lord" said the leader of the
strangers halting suddenly at the spot,
"yonder is your home. AS for us our
work Is done. We have but to give you
this paper and to bid you make your
way to Blois with all speed. l doubt
rot that you will obey faithfully the
kings wish that you shall no: leave
your new diocese for the space of one
year"
My diocese, the kings wish! ex-
cllamed the Able whose face was
bathed with perspiration and whose
limbs were so sore that he could
scarce sit upon his horse.
Certainly" answered the masked
man. pressing the paper into the
priests hands; 'read that and all will
be known to you"
The Able read the paper, then he
| he raised his hands in an attitude of
humble tHankfulness.
'MerCiful heaven be praisedm cried
| he, they have made me Bishop of
Blois, me--the unworthy-the simple
priest-the humble cure of Yvettc.
| Surely the king has forgiven me then.
Gentlemen, / thank you from my heart
for this nights work. Never shall your
| services be forgotten. Tell me your
names, 1 beg of you, that l may re-
| member them in my prayers.
The first of the three men removed
his mask
| "Seigneur," said he, they call me
| Benoit, the swordsman."
| "'Seigneur," cried the second, un-
masking in his turn, II am the Comte
| de Guibert-the oldest friend Of youl
ward, Mademoiselle Corinne dc Mon
| lesson"
1t was the moment for the young girl
now. Swiftly unmasking and turning
her pretty face upon the astonshed
Able, she said
And L, 'Seigneur, am Corinne her
self"
The Able sat as one dumbfounded
| lears sWelleu up IN MS eyes. GRATITUDE
| choaked his words.
| "Corinne." he said. "Oh, it is TO you
that l owe my pardon and my fortune
then. God bless you thousand times
| But not at Clarendon" cried
| Corinne, merrily.
| Heaven forbid" exclaimed the Able
Return to your home and carry an
old mans blessing with you"
The Bishop of Blois was wont to tell
even in his old age, how that at St
Cloud he had once thrown a class OF
wine in the kings face. But the know.
ing ones shook their heads.
Bah said they among themselves
''it was one of pretty Corinnes jests
The only king our good Bishop evei
met was Lekain. the actor from the
opera"
| THE END