Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-12-15
CHAPTER xv.-(CoNrINuEp.)


ough precautions taken to intercept
them, and of the dogged persistence
of NJ. Pierre's belief in their vicinity.
This man was outwardly among the
most eager of NJ. Pierres supporters,
and was much in his confidence; and
he assured Emile that 1t would be ex-
tremely hazardous to attempt escape
for month at least, although he was
willing to do the best he could for
them.
Emile heard his unfavorable account
thoughtfully, and replied:
Il see plainly that l must mix among
you here. l will remain secreted with
you through the day, and make my
way back to my hiding place at mid
night. The next night l will manage to
get out on the highway; and do you
give out publicly that you have re-
ceived word that the Gray Falcon is
coming down from Paris to stir up
the populace of Frejus. Come and
meet me, If you can, and introduce me
to this Pierre. Let me gain the conh-
dence of the majority and think
can manage the matter.
Getting back into the forest was not
so easy a matter; the change of guards
had given control to a more faithful
and vigilant set of men.
Emile was challenged twice, and CIV
ing some hasty excuse, saying he was
trusty citizen of Frejus out TO look
at the chateau ruins, was gruifiy or
dered back to the town.
He turned back little way, and
laid himself down among the bushes,
Just in sight of the pacing figures.
What must he do? Daylight was at
hand, and it was absolutely necessary
he should prepare his young charges
for his absence. and acGuaint them
with his future plans. Lying prone on
his face he crawled along, the recon-
noisance showing him there was one
spot at a projecting knoll where but
one sentinel was stationed, and he
hardly in sight of the others, when he
! turned the rather sharp corner.
Emile's mind was made up at
once. He found heavy stick, and In
the same serpent fashion crept eau
tiously along on the ground toward
the spot.
HAVING lut uSoiiSu poS'NiS'A
he remained perfectly quiet, allowing
the unconscious guard to pass three
times over his beat before he made
any demonstration. On the fourth, as
! the man slowly moved around the
/ point, he leaped TO his feet, and in the
twinklng of an eye tripped him up,
and sent him sprawling some two OF
three yards away.
In the brief time required for the as
tonished man to gather himself up
Emile had darted into the wood Away
he sped, the swifter for the loud hal
loo of the sentinel.
He was familiar with every spot In
the forest, and gained his object long
before the aroused sentinels could fol
low him. He found his faithful friends
anxiously awaiting his return.
Jules had recovered entirely, and he
listened anxiously to the plans of EN-
| lie.
"It will do very we'll for me who
shall have my old strength in few
days longer, but for your niece, for
Mademoisene Chlotilde, it would be
more trying. But, why indeed, should
! they bear any i'll will to herr"
Because she has lived in a noble
| family and was extremely attached to
it's members; because this wretch o.
an M. Pierre means to make her hi:
wife. and she abhors the idea"
"Abhors, indeedv' CALCULATED Jules
gazing after the slender figure which
had passed into the further room
which she had taken for her own pri
yate retreat; so singularly- gifted anC
refined creature to marry that odioui
overseer! The very idea is distressing
even to me. All, Monsieur Emile, !
YOU and your niece are impartial type
of your class. | cannot help feeling
humiliated that we have ever pre-
sumed to call others noble in compar
ison"
"Chlotilde has had superior advan
tages." observed Emile, quietly;
doubt if the hapless Lady Felicie Lam
guedoc herself was more accomplishe
or graceful
81 am sure l have not moment
question about it," replied Jules, has
tily; none of the noble ladies l hav
ever seen could equal Chlotilde TO
loveliness or grace"
THE care of this retreat will devolv
upon you in my absence 1t will
safe TO go a few yards from the tire
at night. but no farther than that.
would not have you even venture
the spring. / will fill up the waite
casks before / leave. l am thankfl
for the few books | brought from ii
chateau; with them and each other
society, | trust you will not find yoI
Imprisonment underground too irl
some"
"Oh, no. that is. l must speak fl
myself 1t is a peaceful refuge fro
carnage and violence. But for pa
horrors and anxious fears of the f
ture, | could not ask happier lif
Chlotilde, too, seems weighed down
some grievous recollection. l do NJ
like to question her"
do not. l beseech you. Allow the
to die away, if possible. 1t is wor
than idle to dwell upon the past, sim
nothing can remedy it: and it weal
ems your vigor and energy for copir
with future perils."
= Il have endeavored to follow yo'
| directions. What more did you he