Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-11-18

around me very keenly as we fitted
across the road and knocked gently at
the door. 1 thought it so likely that
we should be fallen upon here, that
stood on my guard while we waited
out we were not molested. The street,
being at some distance from the center
IF the commotion. was still and empty,
with no signs of life apparent. except
the rows of heads polxed through the
windows-all possessing eyes which
watched us heedfully and in per
feet silence. Yes, the street was quite
empty. except, ah! except, for that
lurking figure, which. even as l spied it.
shot around distant angle of the wall
and was lost to sight
"There!" / cried. reckless now who
might hear me. knock! knock louder!
never mind the noise. The alarm is
given. 4 score of people are watching
us, and yonder spy has gone off to sum
mon his friends"
The truth was my anger was rising
l could bear no longer the silent re-
CARDS of all those eyes at the windows.
writhed under them-crul, pitiless
~ my NNAOs ANAA III blltlD d iilOE~
bid curiosity, patient anticipation
that drove me wild. Those men and
women gazing on us so stonily knew
my companions rank and faith. They
had watched him riding in and out
daily, one of the sights of their street,
gay and gallant; and now with the same
eyes they were watching greedily for
the butchers to come. The very chill
dren took a fresh interest in him, as
one doomed and dying; and waited
painting for the show to begin. So
read them.
"Knock!" I repeated, angrily, losing
all patience. Had 1 been foolish in
bringing him back to this part of the
town where every soul knew him?
KNOCK; we must get in, whether or
no. They cannot all have left the
housed"
kicked the door desperately, and my
relief was great when it opened. A
servant with a pale face stood before
me. his knees visibly shaking. And
behind him was Croisette.
think we fell straightway into one
another's arms.
And Marie" / cried. "Marie?"
Marie is within, and madame" he
answered, joyfully; Eve are together
again and nothing matters But oh,
Anne, where have you been? And what
is the matter? Is it great fire? Or
is the king dead? Or what is itP"
told him. hastily poured out some
of the things which had happened to
me, and some which ! feared were in
store for others. Naturally he was
surprised and shocked by the latter,
though his fears had already been
aroused. But his JOY and relief, when
he heard the mystery of Louis de Pa
yannes' marriage explained, were so
great that they swallowed up all other
feelings He could not say enough
about it. He pictured Louis again and
again as Kits lover, as our old friend,
our companion; as true, stanch, brave,
without fear. without reproach; and
it was long before his eyes ceased to
sparkle, his tongue to run merrily, the
color to mantle in his cheeks-long
that is as time is counted by minutes.
But presently the remembrance of
Louis danger and our own position re-
turned more wildly. Our plan for
rescuing him had failed-failed.
No. no." cried Croisette, stoutly.
lie would not hear of it. He would rot
have it at any price. "No, we will not
give up hope! We viii go shoulder to
shoulder and find him. Louis is as
brave as lion and as quick as IL wea
4 IL. =, 4 u.
will go when-I mean as soon as"
He faltered and paused. His sudden
silence, as he looked around the empty
:orecourt in which we stood was elo-
quent. The cold light, faint and I'M
certain yet, was stealing in the court,
disclosing a row of stables on either
side, and tiny porter's hutch by the
gates. and fronting us a noble house
of four stories, tall, gray, grim-look
'ng.
| assented, gloomily. however. YES"
| said, I'VE will go when
And too stopped. The same thought
was in my mind. How could we leave
these people? How could we leave
madame in her danger and distress?
How could we return her kindness by
descrlion? We could not. No, not
for Kits sake. Because, after all, Louis,
our Louis. was nan, and must take
his chance. He must take his chance.
But l groaned.
So that was settled. had already ex-
planned our plans to Croisette; and
now as we waited he began to tell me
a story, long, confused ctory about
Nine do. thought he was talking for
the sake of tallking--to keep up our
spirits-and / did OF attend much to
him, - that he had not reached the
gist of il, or at least / had not grasped
{, when noise without stayed his
tongue. 1T was the tramping of foot
steps. apparently of large party in
The street. 1t forced him to break off,
and promptly drove us all to our posts.
But before we separated slight
figure, hardly noticeable in the dim,
uncertain light, passed me quickly, lay
of s,,y