Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-29

and entered without knocking. She
held in one hand trencher full OF
savory stew and in the other a cup of
wine; she brought along knife and a
long brown loaf
will this serve your turn, mistress?"
she asked.
Thank you; it is excellent. Good
night TO you," she said. Il am weary
and will be glad to sleep when | have
supped. Goodnight, and thank you"
Gillonne tasted the food and found
it better than she had expected; the
wine was rough, but it was drinkable,
and she felt greatly refreshed by the
time her supper was over.
Then she sat and planned her future
proceedings. II has been said that she
was observing and courageous; she was
also extremely sagacious; and she had
the habit Of noting and pieceing to-
gether small facts, the habit so re-
markable in experienced upper SER
wants, especially in French servants.
She sat thinking out the e/ents of the
day, and the retrospect did not give her
trust in Gaspard. He must have seen
that she was high in favor with her
mistress; how, then, had he ventured
to speak to her SO insolently? Seem
ingly, he did not fear that she might
complain CT his conduct on her return.
A cold chill seized on Gillonne; it is
true that the chamber felt both cold
and damp. but not enough to make her
shiver violently, While her teeth chat
tered. 1t came to her as a certainty
that De Retz, or Laval, suspected her
distrust of him; if he meant to wed her
lady, as Gaspard said he probably
wished to be rid of her trusting wait
ing-woman. While she sat thinking,
Gillonne felt colder and colder. She
had meant to rise before the house was
astir, and try TO find her kinsmen. If
she could not find him, she had fancied.
when she learnt the change Of route,
that it would be wiser to give up her
plan, and travel back with the two SOL
diers to her mistress-for Gaspard had
let her see how impatient he was to
rejoin his company.
The noise of a dispute below disturb
ed her meditation; the hostess was
seemingly excusing herself. Then came
Gaspards hearty laugh. "Off with you,
saucy mistress Bring more wine
diie lOOh gu, NlCdl Jul must as ooOll
as may be: my comrade here is sleepy,
and | want word with him before he
turns in. Get you gone, Louise, say!"
The door was slammed to-; then came
a pause of silence.
Gillonne heard a stealthy movement
below; the door was softly opened and
closed. Her heart beat quickly as she
glanced at her own door; she had put
a bar across it when her hostess left
her. She was, however, soon reassured
Gaspards voice below showed her that
he had merely looked out 70 be safe
from listeners.
"Philippe," The sound came up to
her somewhat muffled she thought his
lips must be close to his companion S
ear Wake up and listen! Monsieur
lie Comte told me he did not care to see
that old woman again. Do you under
stand?"
Yes" came sleepily from Philippe.
well, after what she learnt this after
noon, the old woman will try to get
back as soon as she can to her mis-
tress. We can make sure of her horse,
but she is a woman with nimble wits
Morbleu. | have noticed that the older
wits; it is the compensation for the
loss of all excuse for her existence.
His next words came in so muf1led a
tone, that Gillonne slid down noiseless-
ly to the floor, and placed her ear close
to one Of the broad cracks. Look you,
Philippe, if this charge of ours ever
catches sight of her mistress again, we
shall both smart for it. What say you,
bully? What shall we do?"
Philippe muttered SO indistinctly that
she could not hear his answer She
pressed her hands together; they were
cammy with fear.
Gaspard laughed out.
THAT is to the point, my friend; l
knew you would not stick at trifles,"
Philippe's monotonous voice again
broke the silence. This time she heard
what he said.
There is only one way Gaspard. and
you know it. Mark you, there is more
in it: there is profit for both of u.s.
The old dame carries a purse at her