Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-01-14
CHAPTER Xv.-tCoxrIsuEp.)


them, and of the dogged persistenc
Of NJ. Pierre's belief In their vicinity
This man was outwardly among tn
most eager of NJ. Pierre's supporters
and was much In his confidence: an
he assured Emile that 1t would be ex
tremely hazardous to attempt escap
for month at least. although he wa
willing to do the best he could 10
them.
Emile heard his unfavorable accovn
thoughtfully. and replied:
II see plainly that must mix anon
you here. will remain secreted VIII
you through the day. and make m!
way back to my hiding place at mid
night. The next night will manage u
get out on the highway: and do yo'
give out publicly that you have re
ceived word that the Gray Falcon Il
coming down from Paris to stir NJ
the populace OF Frejus. Come ant
meet me, II you can. and introduce mt
to this Pierre. Let me gain the conn
dence OF the majority and 1 thihR
can manage the matter.
Getting back into the forest was no
SO easy a matter; the change OF guards
had given control to more faithtu
and vigilant set of men.
Emile was challenged twice. and CIV
ing some hasty excuse. saying ne was
trusty citizen Of Frejus out to looH
at the chateau ruins. was gruMy or
dered back to the town.
He turned back little way, and
just in sight of the pacing figures.
What must he do? Daylight was NJ
hand, and 1t was absolutely necessary
he should prepare his young charges
for his absence, and .acquaint them
with his future plans. Lying prone on
his face he crawled along. the recon-
noisance showing him there was one
spot at 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 al
once. He found heavy stick, and In
the same serpent fashion crept eau
tIously along on the ground toward
the spot.
Having obtained the desired position
he remained perfectly quiet, allowing
the unconscious guard to pass three
times over his beat before he made
any demonstration. On the fourth. ms
the man slowly moved around the
point, he leaped to his feet, and In the
twinkling OF an eye tripped him up.
and sent him sprawling some two or
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.
1T will do very well for me who
shall have my old strength in few
days longer, but for your niece, for
Mademoiselle 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
its members; because this wretch of
an NJ. Pierre means to make her his
wife, and she abhors the idea"
"Abhors, indeed! calculated Jules,
gazing after the slender figure which
had passed into the further room,
which she had taken for her own pri-
vate retreat; so singularly-gifted and
refined creature to marry that odious
overseer! The very idea is distressing
even to me- All, Monsieur Emile, If
you and your niece are impartial types
of your class, l cannot help feeling
that we have ever pre-
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 accomplished
Or graceful"
Il am sure 1 have not a moments
question about it," replied Jules, has
tily; none of the noble ladies have
ever seen could equal Chlotilde for
Ioveliness or grace"
THE care of this retreat will devolve
upon you in my absence. 1t will be
safe to go few yards from the tree
at night, but no farther than that.
would not have you even venture to
the spring. 1 will fill up the water
casks before leave. am thankful
for the few books l brought from the
chateau; with them and each others
society, 1 trust you will not find your
underground too irk-
some"
"Oh, no, that is, I must speak for
myself. 1t is peaceful refuge from
carnage and violence. But for past
horrors and anxious fears of the fu-
ture, I could not ask happier life.
too, seems weighed down by
some grievous recollection. l do not
like to question her."
do not, beseech you. Allow them
to die away, if possible. 1t is worse
than idle to dwell upon the past, since
nothing can remedy it; and it weak
ems your vigor and energy for coping
with future perils."
"I have endeavored to follow your
What more did you hear
from Paris?"
Additional horrors-the people
have gone mad. They must become
porqed with blood ere the reaction