Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-10-27
CHAPTER lV.-(CoxTINugp


such place and that it carried shovel
and strange flames danced along It's
pathway. | laughed at his credullty'
till suddenly he turned and dared me to
accompany him, to have proof gwen
me by my own eyes"
/ Dared you, Felicie? Could old
Jeannot have been so insolent and I'M
prudent?"
"Oh, he was perfectly respectful; and
remember, | had stung him TO retort
by my railery and unbelief lie called
to me at sunset, as | was on the ter
race, that the apparltion had passed,
and | might see it return If ! would
hasten to the forest. So ! went, mann
ma"
The countess looked startled.
ut was fortunate the count was ab-
sent; what would he have said?'
"Ah, but | knew he was not here, and
| trusted to obtain your forgiveness.
Yes, mamma, | went with Jeannot, and
l saw the ghost"
you are jestlng, Felicie"
mot at all; | certainly saw the dark
figure, with the spade over his should
ers, and a weird circle OF blue hsht
followed him, or, rather. surrounded
him. Don't let Jeannot dream or IT,
but / was truly frightened. 1t is
really very strange, especially II, as
Jeannot asserts, there is no trace or
human working in the forest, for we
heard the blows distinctly"
This is extremely singular; 1t must
be investigated at once. dld not tel
you the rest that your father wrote.
He said all Paris was in terment OF
secret agitation. The Assembly are al
their wits end how to remedy the dlsas-
trous condition OF the whole country
the lower classes are sullen, and nave
been detected in a vast organization
for some unknown purpose he bade
me charge NJ. Pierre to keep jealous
watch over our peasantry, and FORBID
their leaving the place, or receiving
strangers, who might spread among
them the incendiary disaffection OF the
larger towns. ! was in hopes there was
no need of the caution, but this story oil
Jeannot's alarms me; of course ! reject
the supernatural part of it, but that a
stranger is lurking around here cannon
| be doubted If you have seen him with
your own eyes. Ring the bell, my love
| will speak to NJ. Pierre at once.
Il wonder my father did not write tC
NJ. Pierre his instructions; he knows
how disagreable the man is to you!
observed Felicie, as she obeyed.
The countess did not answer; sh
was gazing thoughtfully upon tn
ioor.
Il will send for Jeannot, too, afte
NJ. Pierre is gone" she said at length
I'VE must neglect no possible precau
ton"
"What do you fear, mamma? | an
cure we have no one on the estate Du
would willingly risk his own life t
save yours, or mine, either, for ina
matter"
81 was not thinking of myself, Fe
licie, but of your father; ] fear he Il
not liked by any of our people. III
does not understand their trials, ani
Is impatient with them sometimes
fear they call him harsh master.
81 am sure | cannot blame them
often and often have | blushed II
shame for him, and glowed with indlg
nation for the n," answered the candi
daughter.
The crimson tide swept over tn
countess face, as though 1t We're he
own sinfulness Felicie had alluded tt
She waved her hand deprecatingll
and Felicie knew that insinuation
against her father would not be lis
tened to.
Here comes the adorable NJ. Pierr
y hear that mincing footstep OF hi
Put on your statliest dignity, mamma
II the peasantry bear malice agaln'
others. ! am certain they could tee
him limb from limb. | am sure 1t
like a blast whenever he come
near me. Ugh! one must endure loatl
some things now and then | SUI
pose"
Hush. Felicie! NJ. Pierre is yor
fathers confidential agent"
! But you despise him-you know yo
do mammal. Why may not one spea
the things they cannot help thinking
There was no opportunity for answe
ing. The door was noiselessly III
= closed. and middle aged man, dresst
in a tightly fitting suit of snuff colort
' broadcloth, with silk stockings of Il
, same color, and shining steel KIN,
, buckles. came forward, bowling with
singular mixture of seryility and aud
city
The low obeisance said plainly r
spect your rank; you are my lady &
countess. But the bold eye and supe
!, cilious smile added-you detest me, b
/ do not care / am above any har
! from you. Let me do or say what
will, you are powerless to send /
away.
} You sent for me, my lady-you wi
to speak to me" said he, in a smoot
| oily voice, bowling once more.
You are right wish for few m
!. ments conversation. Be seated
c One who had lately seen her gent
and affectionate department in the pr
l. vious conversation with her daught
could not have imagined that queen
dignity was in the power OF the Gou
less Languedoc to assume.
She waved her hand toward the cha
II beyond her, and NJ. Pierre, while
lt shot one swift glance of defiance iowa
IL her, accepted it.
=, Il have received letters from I
count, as you are aware, VI. Pierre.