Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-12
/ WARD OF The KING.
KATHARINE 8. s1ACQUOID.
Author of "Maisie Derrick THE Story
Of Lois" Patty" Louisa, AT
the Red Glove" Miss Eyon
of Eyoncourt," &c.
(Copyright.)
(Copyright.)
Continued from Yesterdays Issue)
CHAPTER XIX.
CNDECEIVED,

Continued from Yesterdays Issue.)
CHAPTER XIX.
UNDECEIVED.
1t was a dull afternoon, but Jeanne's
spirits felt lightened as her thoughts
followed the noble fugitive; she ardent
ly wished that she could have spoken
with him, and assured him of her COM
plete devotion, of her determination to
be true to him.
She was sitting absorbed in these
thoughts, when Mathurine tapped at the
door, and came in, her eyes radiant
with delight, her whole face full of ex-
element.
Does my lady know that they are
Gomez" she said joyously.
Jeanne's thoughts were so full of the
Constable that she started at the girl in
terror.
what mean you, girl? Who has
Gomez"
Mathurine started in her turn; she
wondered what allied her mistress, for
both she and Anne were sure there had
been love passages between their lady
and the handsome young Count of
Laval.
Madame has bid me name no name"
she said, dropping her eyes, "but it is
our noble leader; Gaspard and the rest
of the troop are with him."
Jeanne rose.
do you mean that they are actually
in the inn?"
"No, madame, but they will be here
before l could count a hundred. Shall
1 not braid madame's hair afresh, and
will she not change her plain Golf for
the broidered one?'
Jeanne flushed ever so little.
"You forget, Mathurine, that 1 am
widowed, and that my attire needs no
ornament Where is Anne? Bid her
come to me"
The news had fiuttered Jeanne; she
felt excited, and she now sent Mathur-
inc away; she wanted time to think.
She would not cherish suspicious of La
val, that would be both unkind and
unjust, for aught she knew. She had
never seen a map of France. st. Feriol
might be near Lyons; she wondered
why she had not asked her hostess
how far distant the city was. She
would not suspect the Count, but for all
that she meant to keep her promise:
she would certainly not tell him she had
seen the Constable de Bourbon In
deed, she could not affirm that it was
really he; it was therefore better not to
speak of the strangers who had stayed
at the inn.
The women came in smiling.
"My lord Count has ordered dinner
to be served in the eating-room, Anne
said; land when I told him that mad
anne was always served in her chamber,
His Excellency babe me ask madame
if she will honor him with her presence.
Dinner is about to be served.
"Mathurine, you can say / am COM
ing: Anne will stay with me till l am
ready to go down."
Jeanne saw Anne pout her lips In the
old sulkv fashion: she therefore con-
cluded that the girl had not tired Of
Gaspard's f1attery. This troubled her
far more than it had done during the
journey, for 1t was possible that Anne
had become aware of the presence Of
strangers at the Fleur de Lys, although
she might not suspect their quality. It
would not be safe to command the girl
not to speak on this subject She fore
saw that if Gaspard really was engaged
in hunting the Constable he would learn
from Anne all that had happened in
his absence. There was only one way,
and Jeanne, after some reflection, re-
solved to take it,
care the soldiers going on to the vii
lage to Join the others?" she asked
"They are all gone but one and the
Count of Laval" Anne could not hide
deep blush as she stood facing her
mistress.
She looked eagerly at the Countess,
expecting that the name would bring
at least a flush to her sweet face; but
Jeanne was calm and pale.
you will attend me, Anne, not only
now. but whenever l have occasion to
see Monsieur the Count Of Laval; and
you will remember that he does not
wish either his name or mine to be
spoken publicly. l wish you to be con-
stantly with me, both indoors and when
we journey again. Gillonne used to or
der these things for me, but now must
give my own orders; and-and, listen,
CHILD; it is not seemly that one of my
women should allow herself to be talked
to by a trooper. You understand, there
fore, that in future you are to avoid
that man Gaspard."
Inc loss Oh AUuS utdu anu luc ucu-
ance that famed in her eyes had made
her mistress say more than she had in
tended. Jeanne could hardly tell why
she felt that he was not fit to talk with
her unsophisticated women; she was too
inexperienced to guess that her prchi-
bition had greatly increased Anne's dan
ger. 1t did not occur to her to remem-
Der the old saying about fruit that is
forbidden"
She presently went down to the eat
ing-room, followed by Anne.
De Retz stood at the door, impatient
ly waiting for her.
"Ah, my dear!"-,he bent and kissed
both her hands-"the joy of seeing you
battles expression. Mon Dieu! | have
pinned day and night for such happi-
ness."
Jeanne smiled gently. Anne made a
deep reverence in return for the
Counts greeting.
Il am glad you are come at last,
monsieur" Jeanne said, ''for we find
this place very dull. Have you seen
the King, Monsieur lie Comte?"
He held up his hand in warning
Then We are alone. May l not send
away your wOman?"
'All in good time" Jeanne would
not yield to him; he seemed already to
be assuming a right over her. tAh,
there is our meal! it is welcome
sight" she said gaily, as Mariette came
in with platters and trenchers. 81