Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-11-04

80 W AANAA ~ > & 4 gill OA lnG King :
seryicel"
He fairly spluttered with rage.
More like the devil's." he exclaimed.
pronouncing his words abominably.
and fumbling vainly for his weapon.
Kings service or no service, you do
not insult Andrea Pallavicini!"
could only vindicate my daring by
greater DARING. and I 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 l cried, passionateIy-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
ut that, Look at that" / 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, l will see to
your quarrel! Now send me ON my
way or your fate be on your own head!
Disobey-ay, do blu. hesitate-and l
will call on these very men of yours to
cut you down."
1t was a bold throw. for s-aked all
on talisman of which did not know
the valuel To me it was the turn of
die, for had had no leisure to look at
the ring, and knew no more than
babe whose it was. But the venture
was as happy as desperate.
Andrea Pallavicinis expression-no
pleasant one at the best of times
changed on the instant. His face fell
as he seized my hand and peered at the
ring long and intently. Then he cast
a quick glance of suspicion at his men,
of hatred at me. But cared nothing
for his glance, or his hatred. saw al
ready that he had made up his mind
to obey the charm; and that for me
was everything. IF you had shown
that TO me little earlier, young sir,
it would, maybe, have been better for
both of us" he said, surly menace
in his voice. And cursing his men for
their stupidity, he ordered two of them
to unmoor boat.
Apparently the craft had been Sc
cured with more care than skill, for to
loosen it seemed to be a work of time.
Meanwhile stood waiting in the midst
of the group. anxious and yet exultant,
an object of curiosity, and yet curious
myself. l heard the guards whisper
together, and caught such phrases as:
1t is the Due d'Aumale."
No, it is not D'Aumale. 1t is moth
ing like him."
We'll, he has the dukes ring, fool"
The duke's?"
"Ay."
Then it is all right, God bless him!"
This last was uttered with extreme
fervor.
| was conscious too of being the OBJ
ject of many respectful chances; and
had Just hidden the men on the steps
below me to be quick, when l discov-
cred with alarm three figures moving
across the open space wards us, and
coming apparently from the same point
from which Pallavicini and his men
had emerged.
In a moment foresaw danger. "Now
be quick there!" ! cried again. But
scarcely had ! spoken before / saw
that it was impossible To get afoat be-
fore these others came up, and | pre-
pared to stand my ground resolutely.
The first words, however, with which
Pallavicini saluted the newcomers scat
tered my fears. We'll. what the foul
tiend do you want?" he exclaimed,
rudely; and he raped out half dozen
corpos before they could answer him.
What have you brought him here for.
when l left him in the guardhouse?
Imbeciles!"
Capt. Pailavicini," interposed the
midmost of the three. speaking with
patience-he was man of about 80,
dressed with some richness, though his
clothes were now disordered as though
by a struggle-''I have induced these
good men to bring me down."
Then" cried the captain, brutally
interrupting him. you have lost your
labor, monsieur"
You do not know me-" replied the
prisoner with sternness-a prisoner he
seemed to be. you do not understand
that am a friend of the prince of Con-
de. and that"
He would have said more, but the
Italian again cut him short. "A fig for
the prince of Condei" he cried; ~ I'M
derstand my duty. You may as we'll
take things easily. You cannot cross,
and you cannot go home, and you can
not have any explanation; except that
it is the kings will! Explanation?
he grumbled, in lower tone, ''you will
get it soon enough, l warrant, Before
YOU want it'll"
TO BE CONTINUED.