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

I4CASCu - Nv etdCuidAcu.
ITO see NJ. de Payannes?"
"Yes."
1 was conscious that she was looking
al me with eyes of DOUBT, almost Of
suspicion.
why? Why?" she asked, with evil
dent surprise. "You have restored
end nearly frightened me 70 death in
doing this wife TO her home; what
more do you want with HIM. most val
liant knight-errant?"
Il must see him. I said, firmly. /
would have told her all and been
thankful, but the priest was within
hearing-or barely out of it; and 1 had
seen TOO much pass between him and
4 Bezers to be willing to say anything
before him.
You must see NJ. de Pavannes ," she
repeated, gazing AT me.
Il must" / replied, with decision.
Then you shall. That is exactly
what l am going to help you TO do"
she exclaimed. He is not here. That
is what is the matter. He went out
at nightfall seeking news of his wife,
and crossed the river. the coadjutor
says, TO the Faubourg St. Germain
Now it is of the utmost Importance
that he should return before morning
return here"
But is he not here?" l said, finding
all my calculations at fault. You are
sure of it, madame?"
"Quite sure" she answered, rapidly.
''Your brothers will have by this time
discovered the fact. Now, NJ de Cay
lus, Pavannes must be brought here be-
fore morning, not only for his wife's
sake-though she will be wild with
anXiety-but also"
II know" / said, eagerly, interrupt
ing her, ''for his own, too! There is a
danger threatening him"
She turned swiftly, as if startled, and
l turned, and we looked at the priest. I
thought we understood one another.
There is she answered, softly, land
[ would save him from that danger;
but he will only be safe, as l happen to
know, here! Here, you understand!
He must be brought here before day
break, NJ. de Caylus. He must! He
must!" she exclaimed, her beautiful
features hardening with the earnest
ness of her feelings. "And the coad-
jutor cannot go. L cannot go. There
is only one man who can save him, and
that is yourself. There is, above all,
not moment TO be lost"
My thoughts were in whirl. Even
as she spoke she began to walk back the
way we had come, her hand on my
arm; and l, doubtful and in a confused
way unwilling, went with her. 1 did
not clearly understand the position. I
would have wished to go in and confer
with Marie and Croisette; but the
juncture had occurred so quickly, and
it might be that time was as valuable
as she said, and-well, it was hard for
me, lad, to refuse her anything when
she looked at me with appeal in her
eyes. did manage to stammer: "But
do not know Paris. I could not find
my way, l am afraid, and it is night,
madame"
She released my arm and stopped.
Night" she cried, with a scornful
ring in her voice. might! thought
you were man, not boy You are
afraid"
Afraid 1 said, hotly; 1--WE Caylus'
are never afraid"
''Then 1 can tell you the way, if that
be your only difficulty. We turn here.
Now, come in with me moment" she
continued, "and will give you some
thing you will need-and your direc-
tons"
She had stopped at the door of a tall,
narrow house, standing between larger
ores in a street which appeared to me
to be more airy nnd important than any
I had yet seen. AS she spoke, she rang
the bell once, twice, thrice. The silvery
tinkle had scarcely died away the third
time before the door opened silently;
saw no one, but she drew me into mar
row hall or passage. A taper in an en-
bossed holder was burning on
chest. She took it up, and telling me to
follow her, led the way lightly up the
stairs, and into a room, half parlor,
half bedroom-such a room as had
never seen before. It was richly hung
from ceiling to floor with blue silk, and
lighted by the soft rays of lamps
shaded by Venetian globes of delicate
hues. The scent of cedarwood was in
the air, and on the hearth in a velvet
tray were some tiny puppies. A dainty
disorder reigned everywhere. On one
table a jewel case stood open, on anoth-
er lay some lace garments, two or three
masks and a fan. A gemmed riding
whip and a silver-hilted poniard hung
on the same peg. And, strangest of all,
huddled away behind the door, espied
plain, black-sheathed sword and a
mans gauntlets.
She did not wait moment, but went
at once to the jewel case. She took from
it gold ring-a heavy seal ring. She
held this out to me in the most matter
of-fact way-scarcely turning, in fact.
PUT it on your finger" she said, hur-
riedly. IF you are stopped by soldiers,
or if they will not give you boat to
cross the river, say boldly that you are
on the kings service. Call for the Off
Ger and show that ring. Play the man.
Bid him stoD Won at his merrill"