Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-11-05
CHATTER v.-(CoNrINuED.)

ness Of brewing tempest, and If it b.
possible / wish to ascertain in wha
quarter to mistrust treachery."
IF you remain undaunted l shall b'
sure to keep my courage"
GO then, my love, to prepare warm
mantle, and we will take our dinner
upstairs, and the moment the tray is
removed we will slip away unperceived
into the garden, from which it will be
easy to steal across the lawn, since
none of the servants venture out after
sunset"
Mamma" whispered Lady Felicie.
us soon as she found breath, IN. Pierre
may have seen US as we crossed the
terrace"
NO. my love-" answered the coun-
tess triumphantly. From my retreat
in the rear | saw him emerge from that
long unused door under the portico; he
locked it carefully behind him, and
stole along through the shrubbery like
a guilty creature. He had something
under his arm. too; he has half an hour
at least the advantage over us, but
hope to discover something concerning
his movements before We return"
"And you are not afraid?" queried
Lady Felicie in a trembling voice.
"Ah, my child, does not love for her
young make the tigress fight desperate
ly against fearful odds? Will not the
gentlest and most timid Of the nru
creation dare anything to protect their
offspring from menacing danger?
have an instructive fear that peril is at
hand for myself | should be little
alarmed; for your sake, my Felicie,
am ready to brave anything"
Lady Felicie pressed her hand warm
ly, but she still trembled
81 am not sure that l am more afraid
Of M. Pierre If he discovers us than
of the ghostliest ghost that was ever
seen"
"He Is the more dangerous person,
certainly: but we will not be seen. You
said Jeannot put you into place COM
pletely screened with vines. Can you
find it AGAIN."
"Oh, yes; keep hold of my hand,
mamma, and 1 will lead you thither."
They passed on the rest of the way
in silence, walked very swiftly till they |
reached the low underbrush and keep
ing as much as possible in the shade of
the trees.
Felicie drew her breath more CULVER
ingly as they gained the woods, but
went on steadily to the same retreat in
to which Jeannot had introduced ner.
They were scarcely settled there be-
g hOrUhc onnnnnppH
an approach.
The two watchers held their breath,
and peered forward.
The same dark figure with the
shovel. the slow pace and weird accom-
light-this time it was passing
into the wood.
The countess, holding her daughters
hand firmly, stepped out from her hid
ing place as soon as it had passed a
short distance beyond them.
Lady Felicie hung back moment,
1beylng the somewhat impatient COM
nand of the countess, who whispered
cautiously:
do not spoil all. Felicie; come with
ne, or l shall follow alone"
"Oh. mamma, suppose it turns
lround and sees us?" returned Felicie,
n the same suppressed voice.
81 cannot help it; l will know who
md what it is; but the shade on this :
.de will prevent our detection if we .
tep cautiously"
And the heroic countess trod lightly
m the messy bank, taking care to ,
void the drier and more rustling path
way, and left her daughter to follow
ehind her.
The luminous circle in which the =.
ark figure walked was their guide, for !
$ they advanced the gloomy darkness =
eepened. 1t paused at length and was
.ationary for a few seconds. :,
The countess, holding her pistol with
esperate firmness, passed on to the
tier horror Of Lady Felicie, who dared u
OF however. remain behind. Il
Nearer and nearer to the mysterious
cure advanced the two ladies. Lady u
elicie's heart beat suffocatingly, but 9
lie countess compelled herself to be u
ernly calm. when just as they seemed III
reach ito! light, figure and all had u'
inished.
The countess stood motionless, pet -
fed with astonished dismay Her
lughter scarcely knew whether to feel q,
lieved, or more deeply terrified. =,
what can it mean?" whispered the
,untess; this seems Incredible. | f.
w him so plainly just here by this Xxi
ige tree. and as if by magic he has II,
inished entirely. He certainly could a
1t have passed on-that is impossi- hi
Q; and he is not here-that is equal es
certain" tr