The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-07

HE pEHELD TWO OF THE MASKED
MEN.
eyes TO make sure that IL was not
dream; and II was not until the taller
of the two spoke that he believed alto
gether in the reality of that which he
saw.
"My Lord Bishop" said the stranger
''we have kept our promise and you see
us again. is il gladly?"
Gentlemen" cried the Able, GLADLY,
indeed. Oh, heaven knows! You have
heard of my misfortunes?"
The masked man raised his hand.
"Hush!" he said. "A word may cost
you your life. We know all and have
come 10 save you. Lollow me, 'Seigneur,
and say nothing whatever you may see
or hear"
With this he laid his hand upon but
ton in the picture and the panel slid
back noiselessly, showing u narrow
aperture, through which the three men
passed, and then the dazed Able. The
aperture thus disclosed gave access TO
narrow flight of stairs, at the foot of
which was n little door, opening at
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 himself
out upon the soft grass with the bride
rein of horse in his left hand and
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 Tor your life"
ITO Blois?" gasped the Able.
But the groom had helped him into
the saddle now, and the man having,
with n lusty smack upon the quarters,
sent the horse off TO join the others,
the Able found himself, for good or ILL.,
galloping wildly through the Park to-
ward the road for Sevres. So absorbed
was he in doubt. and wonder that he
failed TO observe the young girl who
rode up to his guides as they left the
pavilion-though she was masked as
the others were. Indeed, those with
gle word until dawn broke in the sky,
and st. Cloud and its 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 hill
h., Of Dor
bouillet. Below them valley stretched
pleasantly. and in the far distance the
spire of the church at Yvette stood up
like needle against the cloudless sky.
.My lord" said the leader of the
strangers. hating 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. Idoubt not
that YOU will obey faithfully the kings
wish that you shall not leave your new
diocese for the space of one year"
my diocese, the kings wishl" ex-
claimed 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 nc
raised his hands in an attitude of hum
BILE thanlSfulness.
"Mercful heaven be praised!" cried
he, "they have made me Bishop of
Blois. me--the unworthy--the simple
priest the humble cure of Yvette.
Surely the king has forgiven me then.
Gentlemen. / thank you from my heart
for thsg-nights work. Never shall your
services be forgotten. Tell me your
lanes, beg OF you, that ! 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. I'M
masking in his turn. 81 am the Comtc
Ge Guibert-the oldest friend OF your
ward. Mademoiselle Corinne de Monte.-
SON"
It was the moment for the young girl
now. Swiftly unmaslSirg and turning
her pretty face upon the astonished
Abbe. she s?id:
And /. 'Seigneur, am Corinnc her
self"
The Abbe sat M one dumfoundcd.
Tears welled mp in his eyes. Gratitude
choked his words.
"Corinne." bc said. "Oh. IL is 90 you
that | owe my pardon and my fortune
then. Cod blcss you Thousand ,ires"
"Brt rot at Clarendon" criod
CorinAe, Desrily.
"ueasss tsghidi" snsankned Shs