Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-02-18


Az diplomatic in talk
& ing confidently be-
fore the servants,
Of the series of festivities which should
follow that event. He affected an air
Of the utmost security, and laid out
score Of improvements to be made in
the garden, at a period when he meant
to be safely landed on foreign shore.
And every few hours he exchanged
a knowing nod with NJ. Pierre, as If
glOrying over his wise sagacity. In
these preparations, of course, the abb
Bence Of the most valuable service Of
silver was discovered, but the willy M.
Pierre had forestalled the need Of ex-
PLANTATION by informing his credulous
master that he had taken the precau-
ton, In consideration OF the disturb
Ances in other places, to secrete 1t, and
that 1t should be ready for him at the
wedding festival, unless he preferred
to have 1t snugly packed for transport
alton to the fishing sloop, which last
idea the count eagerly seconded. He
rode over to Frejus to find some one
to perform the ceremony, and on the
way thither met a bishop coming to
him for protection. He had left Paris
expecting to find a relative at Frejus,
but every one who held the slightest
claim to aristocracy had fed from
Paris.
The count received him warmly, and
carried him back to the chateau in tri-
umph. Now everything was prepared,
only waiting for the bridegroom to be
able to perform his share of the cere-
mony. M. Pierre was ostensibly most
active in carrying forward the prepare
tions, but the countess shuddered every
time she met his eye. The bishops
presence gave the ladies more excuse
for lingering in their own rooms; and
it also seemed an opportunity to visit
the Little Forest. Therefore, that very
evening they stole forth cautiously and
went speeding along toward the hollow
tree. Before they reached the edge Of
the wood the form Of Emile started up
from the hedge which bordered the
meadow He spoke their names eager
ly, and dispersed the momentary terror
which his sudden appearance had
caused.
THANK Heaven you have come! l
was trying to conjure up an opportu-
nifty for speaking with you. How pro-
coed matters at the chateau?"
'Illy enough, 1 fear. though the
count fancies everything favorable"
answered the countess.
"And the overseer"
"He is there still. The count trusts
him implicitly and has confded to him
all his plans Of escape"
mon Dieu! is the man demented?"
"He will not listen to our remon-
strances," answered Felicie, while her
mother kept silence.
Have you told him what you
heard?"
mo; though we assured him that we
had proof of his treachery. He declared
he should go to NJ. Pierre with our accu-
sations, and we dared not reveal all
without first consulting YOU"
THAT was prudent" said Emile,
while between his teeth he muttered,
"Dolt! idiot! brute! the man does not
deserve to live" And in a moment he
added gravely, at would be the ex-
tinguishment of your best hopes of es-
cape to reveal my presence here, or the
locality of the retreat have provided.
half expected to find you gone; and
fervently hoped it might be So"
I'VE waited for the Marquis Ed
ward"
"And he arrived two nights ago.
Why were you not away before this?
Every hour is of priceless value"
The countess sighed heavily.
"He is i'll; we are only waiting for
his recovery; then the marriage is to
take place, and we are to ride directly
to the wharf at st. Josephs."
II wish 1 knew their plans better;
not a soul has entered the woods since
came, and the pixies have been re-
moved. lost the precious opportunity
~ my long absence"
"Ah," cried Felicie, I'VE looked for
you so anxiously. We grew so troubled
about you"
II could not come. I have learned a
bitter lesson in my absence. l, who !
held them to my sway before, have
found the tide so swollen that 1t bore
me along like feather. lifted up my |
voice for freedom, equality, manhood
did know they would interpret 1t law
lessness, Generalization, brutality? |
Alack! one cannot play with fire ex-
cept to be scorched. My heart has died |
within me to witness the horrors which |
reign triumphant, conscious, as 1 am,
that helped to nurse the spark |
which has become such a madly de-
vouring element. There is but one
course left me; 1 must secretly aid all |
who come within reach OF my helping
hands"
You counsel us to refrain from men,
tioning the adventure In the woods that
night?" questioned the countess, anx-
lous to return as speedily as possible.
; II certainly do, If it is to be retailed
at once to the arch villain, Pierre. Be-
sides, it is too late now. Pierre is aware