Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-26


me to get the knot of ribbon. so, stoop-
ing low, picked up the.bow and the
cut cords, and, with a careless move
ment, flung the latter on the table, say
ing quietly: They have escaped, Your
Excellency."
"And with them your explanation,
NJ. d'Auriac, eh?' Corbleu! But the
camp-marshal will have his hands full
tomorrow" and Nicholas halberd all
but fell from his hands as the Gener-
ais eye rested on him. l had nothing
to say; and de Rome went on. M.
de Gomeron, you have given me rea-
son for your conduct that will hold good
this once. Further orders will reach
you at daylight about your neglect Of
your prisoners AS for you" and he
turned on me with the sharp COM
mand: Follow me! You-knaves!
fetch me my horse-he is tehered to
the clump of elms to the right there"
Two men vanished from the door to
do his bidding, and ! adjusted my at
tire as well as | might. taking the OPP
portunity TO secrete the knot of rib
bon. In a minute or so we heard the
sound of horses hoofs and as we went
out. saw there were two beasts at
the door. and. from the whinny of well
com that came to me, that one was
mine. and Nicholas was at his head.
As I sprang into the saddle the good
fellow leaned forward and whispered:
make a dash for it, Cheyalier, and
change the flag"
l shook my head and followed de
Rome. who had already moved few
PAGES EDWARDS. And yet, as | rode Oh,
Nicholas words came back to me with
an ins!stent force 1t was not possible
for me to expect any other issue tnan
the worst after what had happened.
NV big Norman horse was feet ana
strong; but turn of my wrist, touch
of my spur, and we should be hundred
wards away before de Rome could realize
what had happened; and then the road
was clear to the banks Of the Lelle,
where the King was himself; yes, the
King. He was that to me, in my heart,
although loyalty to my family and its
chiefs had made me throw in my lot
with the little band of eXlles VINO re-
manned true TO the dead legend of the
League. and preferred TO eat the bread
of Spain rather than accept the great
Frenchman who had fought his way
IN his birthright. Even now, whispers
were stirring the air that the end was
coming. that the Archduke was sick OF
the war: that d'Aumale pined for his
stately park of Anet; that Mayenne had
practically submitted, and the Gulsard
WAS himself unsteady. If so, why
should not I, Alban de Breuil, whose
crows nest of Auriac was half IN ru-
ms and who reckoned an income OF
a hare two hundred pistoles see the
error of my ways as well? Behind me
was safety. In front, between the nod
ding ears of my horse, there dangled
a vision of a rope with moose at the
end of il; and | a noble!
It was now midnight and we distinct
" heard the bells of Ste. Genevieve
ringing the Sexts. They came to me
with a refrain of Turn and ride, Turn
and ride" Mordieu. but l was sorely
tempted.
"Galop."
De Rone's sharp command broke the
thread of my thoughts, and ended all
chance of escape. We set spurs to our
horses and spashed through the ford
of the Disc. a half mile from the out
pest. On the other bank a picket chal-
lenged. and, giving them the word, we
rode in the direction of the even white
line of the camp. A few strides more
and we refined in at the door OF the
Generals tent. The guard presented
arms and received brief order to dis
mount and follow de Rome.
entered the tent, and stood patiently
whilst he walked backwards and for
wards for a little time. Suddenly he
stopped and, facing me, said:
well, NJ. dAuriac?"
at could not be helped, Your Excel
lency," 1 stammered.
You said that of de Conner, and
promised it should never occur again.
But there were circumstance"
"Pshaw." he exclaimed, Il guess
them all-wine-d ice-women. One of
the prisoners was a women. saw you
pick up that knot Of ribbon. There is
no excuse-Croix Dieu! None"
Il had the honor to be first man be-
hind Your Excelency at the storm Of
Laon." said, with happy recollection.
And saved my life, you were gong
to say" he cut in. l bowed, and de
Rome began again to pace up and down
Juggling at his short pointed beard.
was determined to seize the three hairs
occasion offered, and continued:
And that was after M. de Gonnor's
unfortunate accident.
Accident" he laughed shortly.
aaAnd ~ nnnidnnt hnrinn han nnn-