The times., 1897-04-06
THE MORNING TIMES. TUESDAY. APRIL 6, 1897

that which was being done, he found him
self out upon the soft grass with the
bride rein of horse in his left hand and
a groom at his light hand ready to assist
him to mount The two men, In their
turn, went to horses waiting for them and,
all leaping into the saddles, the leader
said, presently:
'Seigneur, mount, beg OF you we
ride to Blois for your life.
Ito Blois?' gasped the able.
But the groom had helped him into the
saddle now, and the man having, with
luSty smack upon the quarters, sent tne
horse off to join the others, the able found
himself, for good or i'll, galloping Wildly
through the park toward the road Tor
Sevres. So absorbed was he In douDt ana
wonder that he failed to observe the young
girl who rode up TO his guides as tney ielt
the pavilion she was masked as the
others were. Indeed, those with him never
drew rein or spoke single word until
dawn broke in the sky, and st. Cloud and
it's woods lay far behind them. Then, Tor
the first time, they permitted their foam
ing beasts to 20 at the walk and the fresh
wind of the morning to breathe upon their
heated faces.
The place was the summit of a hill some
five miles from the town of RambOuillet.
Below them a valley stretched pleasantly,
and in the far distance the spire OF the
church at Yvette stood up like a needle
against the cloudless sky.
MY lord" said the leader of the
strangers, halting suddenly at the spot,
"yonder is your home. AS for us, our
N.a ha f,ntt tO piy
paper and TO bid you make your way to
Blois with all speed. / doubt not that you
will obey faithfully the kings wish that
YOU shall not leave your new diocese for
the space Of one year"
MY diocese, the kings wish!'' exclaimed
the ahbe. whose face was bathed with
perspiration and whose limbs were so
sore that he could scarce sit upon his
horse.
Certainly. = answered the masked man,
pressing the paper into the priest hands.
read that and all will be known to
you"
The able read the paper, then he raised
his hands In an attitude or humble thank
fulness
"Mercful heaven be praised'' cried he,
''they have made me Bishop OF Blois; me
the unworthy y-the simple priest-thc
humble cure of Yvette Surely the king
has forgiven me then. Gentlemen, thank
you from my heart for this nights work.
Never shall your services be forgotten. Tell
me your names, I beg OF you, that may
remember them In my prayers
The first OF the three men removed his
mask.
"'seigneur," said he, "they call NE
Benoit, the swordsman.h
'Seigueur cried the second, uDmask-
ing in his turn II am the Comte de
Guibert-the oldest friend Of your ward,
Mademosene Cnrinne de Montesson.'
It was the moment for the young girl
now Swiftly unmasking and turning her
pretty face upon the astonished abbe, size
said:
And I. 'Seigneur. am Corinne herself. -
The abhe sat as one dumbfounded. Tears
welled up in his eyes Gratitude choked
his words.
"Corinne." he said "oh, 1T is to you
that | owe my pardon and my fortune
thent God bless you a thousand times"
But not at Clarendon cried Corinne,
meuily
Heaven fortddr' exclaimed the abhe.
"Retum 10 your nome anu carry al Oio'
mans blessing with you"
The Bishop of Plois was wont to tell
even In his old age how that at st. Cloud
he had once thrown glass OF wine In
the kings face But the knowing ones
shook their heads
Bah" said they among themselves, ''it
was one Of pretty Corinne's tests. The only
king our good bishop ever met was Lekain'
the actor from the opera"
THE END.