Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-11-03
CHAPTER Y.-LCoNr1Nurn.N J

ested in the accomplishment of our
purpose. | have an uneasy conscious
ness of brewing tempest, and If it be
possible ! wish to ascertain in what
quarter to mistrust treachery"
IF you remain undaunted | shall be
sure to keep my courage"
Go then, my love, to prepare warm
mantle, and we will take our dinner
upstairs, and the moment the tray is
removed we will slip away unperceiyed .
into the garden, from which it will be
/ easy to steal across the lawn, since
none of the servants venture out after
/ sunset"
4 As they had arranged the countess
and her daughter slipped through an
unfrequented corridor and reached the
balcony. from which long flight of
steps descended to the garden, and
while the whole household believed
them sitting quietly in the little bou-
aoir, as was their custom after dinner,
they were speeding along across the
park holding each other by the hand,
while the evening shadows gathered
quickly around their pathway.
Mamma whispered Lady Felicie,
as soon as she found breath, M. Pierre
may have seen us as We crossed the
terrace"
mo, my love-" answered the coun-
tess triumphantly. From my retreat
in the rear saw him emerge from that
long unused door under the portico; he
locked it carefully behind him, and
stole along through the shrubbery like
a guilty creature. He had something
under his arm too; he his half an hour
at least the advantage over us, but l
hope to discover something concerning
his movements before We return"
"And you are not afraid?" queried
Lady Felicie in a trembling voice.
"Ah. my child, does not love for her
young make the tigress fight desperate
ly against fearful odds? VIII not the
: gentlest and most timid Of the brute
creation dare anything to protect their
offspring from menacing danger? |
have an instructive fear that peril is at
hand; for myself | should be little
alarmed for your sake, my Felicie, l
am ready to brave anything.
Lady Felicie pressed her hand warm
ly, but she still trembled.
81 am not sure that l am more afraid
of NJ. Pierre if he discovers us than
of the ghostliest ghost that was ever
seen"
"He is the more dangerous person
certainly; but we will not be seen. You
+ said Jeannot put you into place com.
# pletely screened with vines. Can yol
o find it again?'
l. "Oh, yes; keep hold of my hand
e mamma. and will lead you thither'
.s They passed on the rest of the wa.
In silence. walked very swiftly till the,
+, reached the low underbrush and keep
: ing as much as possible in the shade o
the trees.
J. Felicie drew her breath more quiver
L lngly as they gained the woods, bu
$. went on steadily to the same retreat in
y to which Jeannot had introduced her.
/, They were scarcely settled there be
:. fore the cracking boughs announce
an approach.
The TWO watchers held their breath
IF and peered forward.
$ The same dark figure with tn
r shovel, the slow pace. and weird accom-
=. panying light-this time it was passin
"A into the wood.
The countess. holding her daughter
hand firmly stepped out from her hit
. ing place as soon as it had passed
lie short distance beyond them.
e, Lady Felicie hung back a momen
at obeying the somewhat impatient con
at mand of the countess, who whispere
he cautiously
d. do not spoil all, Felicie; come wit
er me, or l shall follow alone"
"Oh, mamma, suppose it turl
around and sees ns?" returned Felici
in the same suppressed voice.
tai Il cannot help it; l will know WI
a. and what it is; but the shade on th
n side will prevent our detection if y
step cautiously"
And the heroic countess trod light
81 on the messy bank, taking care
nc avoid the drier and more rustling pat
nd way, and left her daughter to follc
in behind her
lad The luminous circle in which t
60. dark figure walked was their guide,
.ict as they advanced the gloomy darknt
Ice deepened. 1t paused at length and v
-. stationary for few seconds.
The countess, holding her pistol W
desperate firmness, passed on TO
utter horror of Lady Felicie, who dan
L. not. however, remain behind.
- Nearer and nearer to the mysteriC
figure advanced the two ladies. La
Felieie's heart beat suffocatingly,
au' the countess compelled herself to
1le sternly calm, when just as they seen
TO reach ito! light, figure and all
, to vanished.
an There was a brad rift in
,old dark canopy of leaves abb
AZ them, where a mighty mona
of the wood had been stircl
from his place by lightning stro
ing and the starlight and pale radiance
ON the waxing moon shone down, dit
lara pating little of the darkness. r.
the could see the trunk of the trees,
ave black shadows cast on the ground
~ the huge limbs above, and it was V
evident there was no longer present
tall figure of the mysterious guide L
civ had followed thus far
she The countess stood motionless, |
ger, rified with astonished dismay.
and daughter scarcely knew whether to
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