Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-04-01

where L made out a couple oil posts set
! up on the brink-doubtleSs to mark the
| landing place.
had not gone ten p9ces, however,
out of the shadow, before CHANGED to
look round, and discerned with an IN
| pleasant eerie feeling three figures
| detach themselves from il. and advance
| in row behind me, so as the better to
cut off my retreat. Twas not to succeed
/ in my enterprise too easily, then. That
was clear. Still I thought it better to
act as If had not seen my followers,
and collecting myself, [ walked as
quickly as I coulL down to the steps.
| The three were by that time close upon
| me-within striking distance almost.
I turned abruptly and confronted them.
who are you, and what do you
| want?" said. cycling them warily, my
hand on my sword.
They did not answer, but separated
more widely, so as to form half
circle; and one of them ~histled. On
the instant a knot of men started out
of the line of houses, and came quickly
across the strip of light towards US.
The position seemed serious. If I
could have run, indeed-l,ut 1 glanced
round, and found escape III that fashion
impossible. There were men crouch
ing on the steps behind me, between me
and the river. I had fallen :nto trap.
Indeed, there was nothing for it now
but to do as madame had hidden me,
and play the man boldly. I had the
words still ringing in my ears. I had
enough of the excitement I had lately
felt still bounding in my veins to give
nerve and daring I folded my arms
and drew myself up.
''Knaves!" said, with as much quiet
contempt as could muster, you mis-
take me. You do not know whom you
have to deal with. Get me a boat, and
let two of you row me across. Hinder
me, and your necks shall answer for it
--or your baci.s!"
a laugh and an oath Of derision
formed the only response, and before
I could add more the larger group ar
rived, and joined the three.
''Who is it, Pierre p asked one of these
in a matter-offact way, which showed
l had not fallen amongst mere thieves.
The speaker seemed to be the leader
of the band. He had feather in his
bonnet, and I saw a steel corselet CLEAN
under his cloak, when some one held up
a. lanthorn to examine me the better.
His trunk-hose were striped with black,
white and green-the livery as [
learned afterwards of monsieur the
kings brother, the duke of Anjou, aft
erwards Henry the Third; then close
friend of the duke of Guise, and later
his murderer.
The captain spoke with foreign ac
cent, and his complexion was dark to
I, Id
flashed like black beads. 1t was easy
to see that he was an Italian.
"a gallant young cock enough" the
soldier who whistled answered. ''Not
quite of the breed we expected" He
held his lanthorn toward me and point
ed to the white badge on my sleeve.
st strikes me we have caught crow
instead of pigeon!"
''How comes this?'' the Italian
asked, harshly, addressing me. 'W1.o
are you? And why do you wish to
cross the river at this time of night,
young sir?"
[ acted on the inspiration of the mo-
ment. play the man boldly!" mad
anne had said. would; and did with
a vengeance. I sprang forward and,
selling the captain by the clasp of his
cloak, shook him violently, and flung
him off with all my force, so that he
reeled. ''Dog!" I exclaimed, advanc-
ing, as if I would seize him again.
Learn how to speak to your betters!
Am to be stopped by such sweepings
as you? Hark We, am on the kings
service!"
He fairly spluttered with rage.
''More like the deviIs!" he exclaimed,
pronouncing his words abominably,
and fumbling vainly for his weapon.
Kings service or no service, you do
not insult Andrea Pallavicini!''
I could only yindicate my daring by
greater daring, and 1 saw this even as,
death staring me in the face, my heart
seemed to stop. The man had his
mouth open and his hand raised to
give an order which would certainly
have sent Anne de Caylus from the
world, when I cried, passionately-it
was my last chance, and never wished
to live more strongly than at that mo-
ment-I cried passionately: andrea
Pallavicini, if such be your name, look
at that! Look at that" I repeated,
shaking my open hand with the ring
on it before his face, land then hinder
me, if you dare! Tomorrow, if you
have quarterings enough, will see to
your quarrel! Now send me on my