Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-01-07

tne estate were Always ready 10 klS
, the ground Felicie and her mothe
stood on. much as they hated til
count. We must keep sharp eye oi
all: there is old Jeannot. where is he
IN all this excitement? Not a sig
have 5ccn OF him."
Never you fear. comrGds; II they'r,
around we'll beat them up. But WHIT
could they have been. those blacl
masked villains who beat us. when w
thought We held the 'chateau?"
'Perditior seize them! 1t must be
looked to. There's not much fear Of
thei- appearing another time: :hinss
will b. more orderly in future; ind the
whole country is up now. | half sus,
pect they had our motives. Pepin, Ia
ge: the diamonds and treasure for
themselves. and. curse them! they
v!ved. and bolted with bride and
money both; but shall find them yet.
lei me alone for that"
'Tho man l saw certainly came as
far as here. but where he went then, lie
diable only knows. ! lost him. like as
IL the earth had opened and swallowed
him."
Wen hunt the whole place over
thoroughly, when daylight comes: this
confounded dry ground won't give us a
trace OF steps. But come. let's station
pack OF our men around the whole
place"
Talking eagerly. they moved slowly
cfT.
we must lie close for our lives"
Tuttered Emile. as he sa; down again:
but / feel pretty secure. left no
trace Of my work when excavated.
The door would defy n police officer
to find, without acquaintance with the
secret. Let the villain Pierre search.
the Gray Fa.con is too keen-eyed TO
be caught. And yet it will change my
plans-I must not attempt to leave by
the Mediterranean. l see that. It Is
safest to so where the danger is most
imminent, VIXEN You are followed, fer
there no cne suspects you have the
temerlty to venture. Yes, we must all
get away from here to some large city
Il am not sure but it were better to
so direct to Paris itself. For Felicle
youth great deai-yet 1t will mar my
plans to separate them! Well. l am
not Obliged to decide tonight. Now is
my opportunity for the much-needed
rest-an hour or co will freshen me
wonderfully"
He drew over him a blanket he had
lsft there for the purpose. and curled
himself up for sleep. and was evidently
accustomed to obtain rest in this man.
ncr. or he would not SO soon have
fallen into sound sleep, in such an un-
comfortable position.
Below. the sick youth was lying stir
less rs n log, only the heavy breathing
showing signs Of life, and Lady Felicie,
wrapt in sweet slumber, was dreaming
that her mothers arm encircled her,
and they were pacing softly on the
chateau terrace.
The gray dawn broke slowly over tho
scene. the roseate flush crept up the
sky, and touched pityingly the black
ened heap of ruins where but yester-
day had risen SO proudly the grand
old building. Softly the growing gold
flooded the trampeled ground, the
desecrated graves. the melancholy
pitiable wreck of the home the Count
Langucdoc so fondly believed should
stand in pride throughout the century
And he, it's naughty master. was lying
in a bloody and unhallowed grave.
Mellow and warm were those sun
beams ere they creps through the leafy
canopy of the forest. and bathed crate.
fully the massive trunk of the g-ea;
tree, whose hollow stairway gave safe
shelter to the harless orphan.
They all slept far into the day; bu'
when Emile came down he found
Felicie quietly giving the youth slas:
of water. and bathing his head.
His eyes looked rational and intrlli.
gent: as Emile came forward. they
frightened perceptibly.
You are BETTER said the latter
joyfully.
Thank you. believe so; have
been i'll? Shall we get along on tht
journey to-day? My friends will re &c
painfully anxious, l would risk a grea
deal. Bu. you seer, destined to be n,
preseryer."
Emile looked little embarrassed.
Not so rational as supposed" ssit
he. in an under;oae. "Mademoisell'
Chlotilde. will you be so good as 10 ge
me little OF the bread for my break
, fest, and there is come cold meat,
think"
She obeyed at once. and this errant
took her to the farther apartment.
Emile seized the moment to bent
over the youth.
Have you forgotten the terrible
night at the chateau, how you wer'
knocked Gcnselcss, how brough. yo,
to the forest, to my secret retreat, ant
do you remember that your name i
Jules Hentz, and that there is caution
to be maintained before all, even m.
little niece herc?"
| He spoke the words rapidly, but wit!
emphasis; Jules stared At him a no
rnent vacantly, then shuddered eron
head to foot.
Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! oh. yes,
remember Heaven help me-" criet
| he, in voice of anguish.
Emile laid his cool hand upon tn
| fevered forehead.
you are cafe, it shall be we'll witt
you, only promise to be calm. I shal
, care for you"
He caught the hand in his. and tn
tears gushed over it.