Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-15

advanced to meet them. He bowed low
before her, but his strength gave out
and he reeled into the arms Of hi;
watchful attendant. Well was il fol
Anne. for she was unable to concea
the horror of her face; and turning Il
Burke she clutched him wildly by the
arm, eXclaiming:
"Oh, Gilbert. what
"Hush,' he whispered, and cried
aloud: Take Sir Louis to his room and
look up the surgeon. Do you, Roberts
see that his men have the best the cas-
tie can give and make ready for the
coming OF our lord
He superintendent the safe slowing OF
ID'Egremont in his chamber. the young
man being too exhausted to interfere,
and hUrriedly communicating to Anne
all ne knew, hastened to obtain more
from Denison's page. The few men
alarms left by BoradeIl to guard the
castle were royalty feasting D'Egre-
mont's followers, and listening in
breathless attention to their tales Of the
battle. The moon was about an hour
high and the side o. the castle nearest
the park was shrouded in deep gloom.
1T is a right good hour for the hare
brains if they could take it now" NUT
tered Burke, as he paused beforeAnne's
door. She was awaiting him.
oh Gilbert" she breathed Il am en-
during torture. Are you sure he is
safe?"
"Of course he is safe now, but
would he were well beyond the castle.
| Somewhere he is about, but unless he
gives warning We cannot tell. 1t is TO
warn you to be circumspect | come. If
we cannot get Denis0n away from here
he is a dead man, for your father comes
in the next hour and Louis will have
his life. l fear your marriage to Louis
will be hurried at once. Do you get to
his room and watch over him, while
try to sound his man, whom he has
left at the gates with orders not to
leave them a moment"
What can it NEAR, Burke? While
was waiting without Louis door, |
heard him call for his man and bid him
let no one in or out, and the instant he
came to wake him, whatever the sur
geOn'S commands
Burke was silent He looked at her
to gauge her strength.
She read the glance.
"Gilbert," she said firmly, Il have
the courage Of my race which never
faltered in a crisis. And my foster
father should place no service 50 high
as that of his foster-child.'
"Ah, dear mistress, twas not doubt
Of your courage nor reckoning pru-
dence that made me halt, but I only
fear. Dearest mistress, do you renem-
Der what the earl said when lest
George pleaded his love to him."
She nodded, snlvering, but the light
III her eyes deepened and on her face
came the look Of high resolve.
Mistress" began Burke, but she
interrupted him. Speak not of mis-
tress. thou hast been more tender and
loving to me tnan the father who gave
me life. Dearest Gilbert, by the great
love thou hast for me, thou wilt aid
me? There is no way Of getting the
man from his post?'
Gilbert's hand dropped on his sword
Not unless nothing else will avail.
The surgeon spoke of giving Louis a
draught. Could 1 not drug it? But
have forgotten George. If Louis found
out, it must have been only through
Georges death, for only then would he
part with my letter. Gilbert, thou hast
rot been dealing me false h0pe?"
mo. no." he quickly treasured her.
George is safe and-here."
Here! A prisoner"
Said I not he was safe? Now listen
and | will tell thee" He rapidly related
to her what had been told him by the
man and Anne laughed as she thought
of the rage that Louis would feel when
he discovered, and wept as she pictur-
ed her lovers danger.
Il bear his message that he will be
at the north tower at midnight and
though I tell you frankly l tried to
make him mount good horse and put
safe distance between him and the
castle, he answered me did he give his
life the next moment he would consider
it happiness after having seen you.
Thus do fools and lovers speak"
She smiled, and was charging him
with tender messages, when the tramp
of horses feet on the draw-bridge made
Gilbert start and cry
It's the earlr' and rush as swiftly
as his legs would bear him to the great
hall. Barely in time, for the steward
had but opened his lips to give an
order When the great doors were swung
back and Boradell stood in the hall. BY
his side was a man shorter and Sparer
than the gigantic earl, wrapped in
! cloak and with his hat well over his
eyes Yet but one swift glance from
them was needed to tell Gilbert who it
was that was honoring the castle. He
started forward, but Boraden in a voice
of thunder cried:
: Back, Burke! you must answer for
| this underhand business you have per-
mitted with my daughter. Were it not
that your father served mine and you
the brave soldier you are, I would
make short work of you. But ere you
are again in my favor, you must earn
it. Where is Sir LOUISE
He is in chamber where he was
taken overcome by his wound"
And the Lady Anne? Hark We, Gil
bert, I am told Louis hath Denison in
custody Try not to bring a meeting
about between those two, for if you
do
For an Instant the heart of the OLD