The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-02-26


provided. He laid her down on a mar
row, but comfortable bed, and hurried
back to close the door and replace the
flooring. That secured, he lighted
candle standing ready on the rude Ia
BILE, poured out glass of wine, and ap-
preached her.
"Try this first, and then tell me II
you arc injured, dearest child
She looked up, pitifully into his lace.
ooh, Emile, Emile. my mother is
dead"
His face writhed in overmastering
anguish.
II know it, my child; God help us! l
was powerless to prevent l discovered
that a body of men had left FreJus IN
that direction, and hurried after them.
If l had only known this was TO De
the wedding night, l should have peen
prepared. AS it was, when came IL
was too late. We fought them desper-
ately. and drove them off for a time
but l believe it was a useless victory
thought you were slain too, my chila'
I was sure I saw your white face ~
Ing by the counts; but when return
ed to the dreadful scene, l found no
trace of you, only your torn veil.
feared that they had carried you on;
but a wild hope also led me TO seek
Won here. Heaven be praised that you
are spared!'
ooh. nv mother, my mother" moan
ed Felicie.
BE comforted, my dear child, as l
was-there was no sign of violence, not
a. single marring blow, the fright must
have killed her. She Is secure now
from all these terrors which we are leil
to face"
"She has complained of her heart;
YES. thank Heaven, their vile toucn
did not send that pure soul to heaven
murmured Lady Felicie, weeping pite-
ously, ooh, am all alone, now.
my child, you must be calm; Will
trv to he father and mother both-the
love bore the sainted dead, is uouoly
yours. Other perils are still ABOUT us,
1 shall need your courage to help me.
She wiped away lcl ISoiS' ~
her hand trustingly in his.
81 will do my best, mon pere Emile
He turned away to hide the tears
which came swelling into his eyes at
these touching words, and SAID
huskily:
81 must go back to the chateau pc
fore that ruffian band return WIN
augmented strength. We will secure
all valuables possible, that they may
believe we were there only for the sake
of plunder. And you will need cloth
ing; can you tell me where to ma IL!
She gave him brief directions, anu
added anXiously:
But if they return, and overpower
you-what will become of me-"
"There is no danger. They must go
to Frejus, first; my men still hold the
chateau. We are all masked, SO they
cannot recognize us; in an hours time
we shall be safely dispersed. l shall
hiring what is needed for you, for one
cannot tell how long they may keep
ns here. The bodies are decently in
tered in the garden, by this time.
Have no fear of violence, and try TO
spare yourself more anguish than is
nossible. You will be calm and pa
tent while leave your?
81 will try. Will the light show?'
ooh. no; the ventilation comes
through the trunk of another hollow
tree. We need be cautious about
smoke: but light, not in the least
Won would be dreary enough in the
dark"
Thank you; do not delay. Go
now"
He left her to two hours solitude,
but it was not so trying to bear as she
had feared. The extreme anguish and
excitement of the terrible scene
through which she had passed had left
her brain numb and torpid. Sitting
down by the couch, with her head
leaning against the pillow, she dozed
away the time, and started to her feet
in the vague alarm of sudden awaken
ing from sleep, when Emile again de-
scended from the upper room. A
Young man with very pale face and
evidently weak and suffering-who
was dressed in plain citizens suit,
accompanied him. Emile at once OK
planned.
"a friend of mine, mademoiselle,
who has got into difficulty with the
mob. and he must be concealed, like
wise"
She bowed, and looked compassion
ately at the pale-featured youth.
"I hope 1 will not intrude upon the
lady," observed the stranger in very
weak accents; "if were not so be-
wildered and helpless, 1 would try to
ind other shelter" .
Nay" answered Lady Felicie, earn
estly; 81 have stood too sorely in need
of a friend myself, to be chary of my
sympathy for Others"
HE ought to lie down at once; he
has received very severe blow upon
his head. l am thankful there are two
compartments to my den."
And as he spoke, Emile removed a
boapd at one end of the small room,
a H.