Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-11-24

When my mind came back, it was with
the consciousness of rain that was fall.
ing softly, and the cool drops FLASHED
| on my burning head with sensation of
relief that cannot describe. suffered
from an intolerable thirst. and strove TO
rise that ! might find means to quench
it; but found | was powerless TO move.
and writhed in my agony in the rut
amidst the corn stalks wherein had
fallen. The rain was but passing
shower, and when il ceased a light but
cool breeze sprang up. 1t was night.
and titful moon shone through the
uneasy clouds that hurried to and fro
overhead in the uncertain breeze. which
shifted its quarter as often as child
might change its mind.
A half-hour or so MAY have passed
thus, and the moon was now almost en-
tirely obscured. Occasionally l could
hear, through the darkness around me,
the moaning of some poor wounded
wretch. and now and again rose the
shrill discordant shrek of MANNED
horse, an awful cry of pain, the effect of
which those only who may have heard
II can understand Soon a number OF
twinkling lights began to hover over
the plain. Gradually two of these Ian
thorns came closer to me, stopped
about ten PAGES off, and when saw who
bore them ! knew at once they were
death-hunters. and that in a few mo-
ments the knife of one of these ghouls
might end my suffering. There were
two of these fiends, man and woman.
and as they halted the man stopped;
there was choking cry for mercy, the
blow of dagger, and a groan. The
robber busted himself in searching the
dead mans person, and, in the silence
that followed. the woman with him
threw up her head and laughed horrid
shrill laugh.
BE still. fool" he snarled. ''or you'll
laugh another way if | tickle you with
my knife"
"Poufl" she said, there is no use In |
squabbling, partner. This is the sixth
we have helped to hell tonight. and not |
broad piece amongst them. Holy |
virgin This is field of paupers-let |
us begonei" and TO my Joy she made as
if to so.
Stay. Babettel what shines there?"
and Mauginot ran forward a couple of
PAGES. and bending low wrenched some
thing from a body, and then stood up.
holding it to the light.
| saw his face clearly, and saw also
his prize. 1t was poor de Leyva's collar /
of the Golden Fleece, and the blood
stained hand of the croquemort held |
it up to the lantern, and clinked the |
jeweled links, whilst he feasted his eyes
on the gold and gems. Over his shout
partner. and in her eyes blazed all the
bad light of avarice and murder. al
most held my breath as watched the
eyes of the woman leave the jewel and
turn on the man with death in their
look. As for him. he was unconscious
of the knife quivering in the nervous
fingers behind him. and he chuckled
over his find
THAT is the collar of the Toison dor.
Babefte. But I will wed you, and we
will buy an estate and settle down, and
you will be Madame de Mauginot--hey
That carrion there must have been
great prince-a field of paupers-bahl
Give me more raupers like this. ! am
sorry he is dead. Babette, would like
to have-Ah, mon Dieul-you DEVIL
you DEVIL" for as he babbled on. his
words were cut short by Babette's knife.
which she buried to the hilt between his
and he fell on his knees
md then lurched on his face stone dead.