The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-27
CHE Dcl1le Reading Circle
By MAX PEMBERTON.

| argument; but the three horsemen,
| who maintained q fine gravity of de-
meanor during the parley, would not
be put off by it; and they now held
their horses at the walk while the lead
er answered the obstinate Abbe
MY lord Bishop" said he, Il fear
you Jest with us. We know you well,
and we are concerned to find you
abroad here at such an hour. The
church has too few faithful servants
that one of the stouteat of her cham
pions should make himself g. mark for
footpads. Dame, do you forget that
you are about TO enter the woods of
ST. Cloud ?--and that it is sunset?"
The Able looked surprised.
"Sirs," said he "I have never rid
den to Paris but once before in all my
life; and whether this be St. Cloud or
another place, 1 am, indeed, unable to
tell you. Yet for any warning or direc-
ton you may be pleased to give me,you
will find grateful listener. l am but
simple priest gentlemen, and 1 can
not think that any robber would stoop
to find a victim so Improbable!
! Heaven be my witness that l have an
unpleasant duty to perform in the city
| yonder Authority, sirs, is a physic
which the surgeon may hesitate to en-
ploy, until both persuasion and coun-
sci have been administered. Too long
| have l been latient-the day for that
has passed. Even though the king him
self were to intercede, my purpose
should be delayed no more. Tomorrow,
| gentlemen, all Paris shall hear that the
| Hotel Beautreillis Is closed and that it's
| mistress, Corinne, my ward, is safe
! within the convent walls at Charen-
ton"
The Able was emphatic. He brought
| his Dompous speech to a fitting close
| with good thwack of the Cudgel,
| nicely laid upon the pony's quarters.
His two servants, always initiative, laid
| two sticks smartly upon the backs of
their asses, and all began to ride at a
| good trot toward the park of ST. Cloud.
AS for the three horsemen, they seemed
to enjoy the Abbe's company immense
| ly; and they kept close at his side while
| merry glances passed between them,
and the youngest of the three-who had
the figure of a girl-bent low, the bet
ter to escape observation. Thus they
came altogether to the summit of the
hill wherefrom they could see the thick
woods about the chateau of ST.. Cloud
with the river Seine flowing like a river
of blood in the valley, and Paris herself
away in the distance, the sunlight maxi
ing mighty jewels of her domes and
towers, and shining with deep GRIM
son from thousand west-turned win
dows. Here, the three strangers drew
rein, and one of them who had not
spoken before addressed the Able in
a parting word.
AINy i
of the Abbe's protests, you go on a
bold task. There have been many be-
fore this VITO have sought to stand be-
tween Corinne de Montesson and her
pleasures. Do you seek for those per-
sons you will find them in all the pris-
ons of Paris-or gone to the wars for
shame Of their defeat. Beware how you
act then, and think yourself a lucky
man if you ride into Paris at ALL Nay.
l will wager you a thousand crowns
that this time tomorrow night you
shall be very glad to see us and to get
back to Yvette with what speed you
may. Yon wood is full of strange sights
and sounds, Monsieur; many a man
who has entered it at sundown has
been known no more when dawn has
come. Look to your steps, l beseech
lyou; and heaven grant that the witches
OF st. Cloud may respect the path of
the Lord Bishop of Blois."
He doffed his cap as the other had
done, and all three bowing with ready
grace, presently they set spurs to their
horses and disappeared at a gallop into
the heart of the wood. The good Able.
who had been content at first to think
that some mistake had led them to give
him so distinguished a title, now be-
came very angry and not a little
alarmed.
"A plague on them and their Bishop
of Blois as WELL" cried he; three tip
sy gallants, l will wager, ridden out
of the palace to point the finger at me-
l should not be surprised to hear that
Corinne has sent them. 1t is we'll known
that she is friend to footpads. Pos
sibly, she has saved them from the gall
lows. But she shall gain nothing by
this. Though she fall on her knees be-
fore me, will carry her to the con-
vent. The day for mercy has passed 4"
The reflection pleased the Able. He
mad been made guardian of pretty
Corinne de Montesson (who, as all the
world knew, was mistress of the Hotel
Beautreillis in Paris), upon the death
of her father, the Count For his part
iC "Ouli nave sent DeT 10 u convent
at once, there to complete her educa-
tion which, he thought, had been sadly
neglected. But the king had put in a
word; and so Corinne was left in her
great house to be the friend of all the
ne'er-do-wells in the city and to dis
grace, as the good Able said, the proud
position to which she had been called
Had she done anything for him per-
sonally, his anger possibly, would have
been more moderate. But, notwith-
standing her professions of love, he
remained the simple cure of Yvstte-
and there he had fretted two years
over his misfortunes. Then came the
tidings that Corlnne had helped the
notorious Coq-le-Roi, the highwayman,
to escape from Sartines, the new lieu
tenant of police. The news awoke the
Abbe to his old resolutions.
Il will go to Paris" said he. "and
place her with the good nuns of Char
enton. She is like a little wild ami
NAL; her claws must be cut. / have
been merciful too long"
(To Be Contnued.)