The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-02-23

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~ aI \ he prescribed i'm
G&S mediate rest and
quiet He looked
little doubtfulIy at each Of his listen
ers in turn as he said this:
You mean" inquired Camilla, chat
he must not be moved for the PRESENT."
WELL" was the reply, "of course it
might be managed, but it is a risk, and
if you could, without too much incon-
venience, keep him for a couple of
nights at any rate
OBJ cried the colonel, interrupting,
'do not think twice about it; conven-
fence is nothing in a case of urgency,
and Capt. Estcourt is a valued friend
of ours
The surgeon looked relieved and
went away promising to return the
same evening.
Camilla for herself approved the ar
rangement made by her brother-in-law,
but she was at the same time surprised
at it. He had not only spoken of Dick,
with whom he was in no way intimate,
as "a valued friend'-that was, per
haps, only a piece of his habitual po-
liteness-but he had also readily en-
tered into a plan which did in fact in
this was by no means so usual a thing
for him. At least, he always had a
personal motive for such acts, and she
was at a loss to see an adequate one
here; for the difficulty which he had
thus brought upon himself was no slight
one. The patient had been taken from
the draWing-room into a spare-room
adjoining it on the same floor, and
COY tod CTo1xr NV ooti
wall of slight construction, through
which the sound of conversation was by
no means inaudible Now, it happened
by i'll fortune that on this very evening
matters were to be spoken of in that
drawing room which must not be over
heard by any living ear. The meeting
was one which could not be postponed,
and no other room in the house was
suitable for it, for it was to be in APP
pearance a merely social gathering
And all this the colonel knew as we'll
as she did
AS they sat at dinner she alluded to
the question while the servants were
absent from the room.
Yes" replied M de Montaut, sit is
unfortunate, but it would be inhuman
to move our poor friend; his safety may
"On his remaining quiet" said Ca
milla. 'Our safety will certainly depend
on that if he does overhear u.s.
ETH bien, then we will remain quiet
cit will be his duty to inform against
u.s., she replied.
LAS an officer true" said her compan-
ion, cody; ''but on this occasion the
gallant captain will not fulfill that duty,
for he has another more imperative"
She looked at him in doubt.
'"The duty, / mean, of loyal cheva-
lier''
81 know him betterv' was the exclam-
alton on her lips, but she checked it,
and hesitated for an answer.
I'm reality" he said, 1--WE need fear
no such complication. have just recol-
lected that the doctor said he intended
to give his patient a composing draught
Mt an early hour this evening, so he will
hear no treason after all
You are sure?' she asked; ''sure, I
mean, that he will give it, and that it
will be effectual?"
81 will see to it myself, if you wish, y
he replied; 'but I am surprised to find
you so apprehensive for our security.
You used to think no risk too great to
run for the good cause
I'm that" she said, holly, 81 shall
never change; it is not that [ am luke
warm, as you will see tonight!'
He bowed, and rose from the table to
open the door for her. Before they had
been in the drawing-room half an hour
the surgeon returned. He brought with
him the sleeping draught.
"That is a good idea of yours" said
ITO Colonel de Montaut belongs the
credit of suggesting it, was the reply.
"RealIy?" she said; 'I should not have
suspected that"
The colonel looked a little confused
Within five minutes of the doctor
departure the bell rang twice in rapid
ushered into the drawing-room, where
Madame de Montaut was waiting to re-
ceive them. A conversation on the most
general subjects at once began, but
there was an air of expectation in the
manner of all, and when the colonel
entered every one turned to him as
though with an unspoken inquiry.
He greeted the two newcomers, and
turned to Madame de Montaut. Il
think we may begin now" he said.
She looked at him and raised her
| eyebrows interrogatively. He nodded to
signify that Dick was fast asleep, and