Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-02-04

less himself, am willing to
'Wen?'
ITO pay Father Pierre to say ten
masses for his SOUL
The way the vidame received this sur
prised me. He broke into boisterous
laughter. by our lady. my friend. -
he cried, with rough merriment, but
you are joker! You are, indeed.
Masses? Why, the man was Protes-
tanti'
And that startled me more than any,
thing which had gone before; more, in
deed, than 1 can explain. For it seemed
10 prove that this man, laughing his I'M
holy laugh, was not like other men. He
did not pick and choose his servants for
their religion. He was sure that the
Iuguenot would stone his fellow at his
bidding; the Catholic cry: 'Vive
Coligny!" I was so completely taken
aback that found no words to answe r
him, and it was Croisette who said,
smartly: .Then how about his enthu-
siasm for the true faith, NJ. lie Vidame?"
''The true faith,'' he answered-''for
my servants is my faith Then a
thought seemed to strike him. What
is more" he continued, slowly, ''that it
is the true and only faith for all, thou
sands will learn before the world is ten
days. older. Bear my words in mind,
boy! They will come back to you. And
now hear me- he went on in his usual
tone, Il am anxious to accommodate a
neighbor. It goes without saying that
] would not think of putting you. M.
Anne, TO any trouble for the sake of that
rascal of mine. But my people will ex.
81 he, ~ fol
who caused all this disturbance be given
up to me, that I may hang him, and let
US cry quits
THAT is impossible" I answered,
coOlly. 1 had no need to ask what he
meant. Give up Pavannes' messenger,
indeed! Neveri
He regarded me-unmoved by my re-
fusal-witb a smile under which
chafed, while L was impotent to resent
it. "Do not build too much on a single
blow, young gentleman" he said, shak-
ing his head, waggishIy. 81 had fought
a dozen times when I was your age
However, I understand that you refuse
to give me satisfaction
I'm the mode you mention, certainly"
I replied. "But-''
'BahI" he exclaimed, with sneer
business first and pleasure afterwards
Refers will obtain satisfaction in his
own way, I promise you that! And at
his own time. And it will not be on IN
fedged bantlings like you. But what is
this for?" And he rudely kicked the
culverin, which apparently he had not
noticed before. $50! so! understand -
ne continued, casting a sharp glance at
one and another of us. 'Fou looked to
be besieged! Why, you BOBBY, there is
the shoot of your kitchen hidden, 20
feet above the roof of old Fretis store!
And open, L will be sworn! Do you
think that should have come this way
while there was q ladder in Caylus?
Did you take the wolf for a sheep?"
With that he turned on his heel, swag-
gering away in the full enjoyment of
his triumph. For a triumph it was.
We stood stunned; ashamed to look one
another in the face. OF course the shoot
was open. We remembered now that it
was. and we were so sorely mortified by
his knowledge of our folly, that I failed
in my courtesy, and did not see him to
the gate, as 1 should have DONE We
paid for that later.
''He is the devil in person!" I ex-
claimed, aDgrily, shaking my fist at the
House of the Wolf. as 1 strobe up and
down impatiently. 81 hate him worse"
$50 do I!'' said Croisette, mildly.
'sBut that he hates us is matter of
more Importance. At any rate we viii
close the shoot"
''Wait moment!' replied, as, after
another voliey Of complaints directed
at our visitor. the lad was moving off
to see to it. what is going on down
THEREOF
upon my word, believe he is 1eav-
ing us!'' Croisette rejoined sharply.
For there was a noise of hoofs below
us, gathering on the pavement. Half
a-dozen horsemen were issuing from the
House of the Wolf, the ring of their
brides and the sound of their careless
voices came up to us through the clear
morning air. Beers valet, whom we
knew by sight, was the last of them. He
had a pair of great saddle-bags before
him, and at sight of these we uttered a
glad exclamation. HE is goingi" 1
murmured, hardly able to believe my
eyes. HE is going after alli''
'Wait!" Croisette answered dryly.
But he was right. We had not to
wait long. He was going. In another
moment he came out himself, riding
strong iron-gray horse; and we could