Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-03-18

the touch of his hand? Why did his
shadow come even between her and
her sister, and estrange them, so that
from the moment Payannes' wife saw
him standing by DANES side, she for
got that the latter had come to save,
and looked on her in doubt and sorrow,
almost with repugnance.
We left the vidame going back to the
fireplace. He stopped to set down the
candle by the hearth. ''They arc not
here he said, as he Strengthened him
self again. and looked curiousIy at his
companions. He had apparently been
too much taken up with the pursuit to
notice them before. ''That is certain,
SO have the less time to lose," he con-
tinued. "But I would-yes, my dear
coadjutor, I certainly would like to
know before I go what you are doing
here. Iirepoix-Mirepoix is an honest
man. I did not expect to fnL yon in
his house. And two ladies? Two. lie,
coadjutor. Ha, Nine. 10. is it: My
dear lady," he continued, addressing
her in whimsical tone, do not start
at the sound of your own name! 1t
would take hundred hoods to hide
your eyes or bleach your lips to the
COuuOh COlOf, Il SnOulO nave KNOWN
you at once, had looked at you. And
your companion? Pheugh!"
He broke off, whistling softly. Tt
was clear that he recognized Nine. de
Payannes, and recognized her with as
constituent. The bed creaked as I
craned my neck to see what would fol-
low. Even the priest seemed to think
that some explanation was necessary,
for he did not wait to be questioned
"Mmc. de Pavanncs," he said, in dry,
husky voice, and without looking up,
was spirited hither yesterday, and de-
tanned against her will by this good
man, who will have to answer for it.
Nine. DO discovered her whereabouts,
and asked me to escort her here with
out loss of time to enforce her sisters
release"
"And her restoration TO her dis
tracted husband?"
"Just So" the priest assented, ac-
curing confidence, l thought.
"And madame desires to go?"
Surely! Why not?"
"Well," the vidame drawled, his man
ner such as to bring the blood to Nine.
de Pavannes' cheek, sit depends on the
person whO-to use your phrase, NJ. lie
Coadjuteur-spirited her hither."
"And that" madame herself retorted,
raising her head, while her voice quiv-
cred with indignation and anger, ''was
the abbess Of the Ursu!ines. Your
suspicious are base, worthy of you and
unworthy of me, NJ. lie Vidame! Dianel"
she continued. sharply, taking her sis
ter's arm, and casting a disdainful
IgI1
be with my husband. L am stifled in
this rOom.''
eve are going, little one" Diane
murmured, reassuringly. But L no
ticed that the speakers animation,
which had been as soul to her beauty
when she entered the room, was gone.
A strange stiffness was it fear of tie
vidame ?-had taken it's place.
''The abbess Of the Ursulines?" Be
zers continued, thoughtfully. ''She
brought you here, did she?" There
was surprise, genuine surprise, in his
voice. ga good soul. and, I think I
have heard, friend of yours. Umph!"
GA very dear friend" madame an
swered, stifhy- ''Now, Diane!"
GA lear friend! And she spirited
you hithcr yesterday" commented the
vidame, with the air of one solving an
anagram. "And Mirepc.ix detained
you; respectable Mirepoix, who is said
to have well-illed stocking under his
pallet, and stands well with the bour
geoisie. He is in the plot. Then at a
very late hour, your affectionate sister,
and my good friend the coadiutor, en-
ter to save you. From what?"
No one spoke. The priest looked
down, his cheek livid with anger.
"From what?' Beers continued,
with grim playfulness. ''There is the
mystery. From the churches of this
profigate Mirepoix, suppose. From
the dangerous Mirepoix. Upon my
honor" with q sudden ring of reso1u-
ton in his tone, 81 think you are safer
here; think you had better stay where
you are, madame, until morning! And
risk Mirepoix!"
'Oh, no! mol" madame cried,
vehemently.
ooh, yes! yes!'' he replied. ''What do
you say, coadjutor? Do you not think
SOP"
The priest looked down sullen1y. His
voice shook as he murmured, in an
swer: Madame will please herself. She
has character, NJ. lie Vidame. But if
she prefer to stay here-well!"
ooh, she has character, has she?''
rejoined the giant, his eyes twinkling
with evil T11irth sand she ShoIJ1d ero