Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-11-17

the high aquiline features and grinxlei
hair of de Rome himself.
$50 this is how my outposts are
kept7' he said. M de Gomeron. you
are the senior officer here and await
your explanation"
II command the guards of the Due
dAumale." began de Gomeron. sullen'
iy, but de Rome interrupted him in the
same deep measured voice
II know that. Your explanation, Or
and in fierce anger. by Godi you will
hang like a common thief by sunrise. y
"a gentleman must defend his honor
Orders or no orders, general, there are
times when one must fight. There was
a matter in connection with some pris.
oners, and was struck by NJ. d'Aurinc.
have nothing further to say" 80
Nov. NJ. d'Auriac, what have you to
say?"
THE prisoners will, perhaps, explain
TO your excellency why | struck this
man."
Take me to them"
We gathered up our belongings, and,
hastily dressing. led the way back to
the hut. My reflections were none of
the most cheerful. We all knew de
Rome, and knew that, his mind once
made up. nothing could turn him. De
Gomeron had some chance of escape,
as I was the open aggressor. But we
had no great time for thought. as few
steps brought us to the door of the hut.
Another step took US in, and de Rome,
with curling lip, cast glance around
the room.
81 do not see the prisoners" said de
Rome, quietly.
1t was not likely, thought to my
self. They were gone-not a doubt of
that. On the floor, near my feet, were
some cut cords, and, lying on them, a
knot of black and white ribbon, that
had fallen there as II by chance. had
seen ii last at the shoulder OF madame's
dress. and something told me ii was not
there by accident. There was, at any
rate, no hope for me from the prisoners,
but sudden impulse could not under
stand urged me to get the knot Of rib
bon, so. STOPPING low, picked up the
bow and the cut cords, and, with a
careless movement, flung the latter on
the table, saying quietly: "They have
escaped. your excellency."
"And with them your explanation, M.
dAuriac, Ell? Corbleul But the camp
marshal win have his hands full to-
morrow" and Nicholas halberd all but
fell from his hands as the generals eye
rested on him. De Rome went onc IN.
de Gomeron, you have given me rea-
son for your conduct that will hold
good this once. Further orders will
reach yon at daylight about your neg
lect OF your prisoners. As for you"
and he turned on me with the sharp
"Follow me. You-knavesl
fetch me my horse-he Is tethered to
the clump of elms to the right there"
Two men vanished from the door to
do his bidding. and took the oppor-
tunity TO secrete the knot of ribbon.
In minute or so we heard the sound
Of horses hoofs. and as we went out,
I saw there were two beasts at the door.
md, from the whinny of welcome that
came to me, that one was mine, and
Nicholas was at his head.
As sprang into the saddle the good
fellow leaned forward and whispered:
Make dash for il, chevalier, and
change the flag"
shook my head and followed de
Rome. who had already moved few
paces EDWARDS. And yet, as / rode on,
Nicholas words came back to me with
IN insistent force.
"Gallop!"
De Rone's sharp command broke the
bread of my thoughts, and ended all
nance OF escape. We set spurs to our
lorses and splashed through the ford
4 the Disc. half mile from the out
lost. On the other bank picket chal-
enged, and, giving them the word. we
ode in the direction of camp. A few
tribes more and we refined in at the
loor of the generals tent. The guard
presented arms and l received brief
rider to dismount and follow de Rome.
entered the tent, and stood patient A
v whilst he walked backwards and for
Yards for little time. Suddenly he
topped and, facing me, said:
"Well, Nj. d'Auriac?"
1T could not be helped, your excel
ency," I stammered.
"You said that of De Conner, and
romised it should never occur again"
But there were circumstances"
"Pshawi" he exclaimed, Il guess
hem wine-dice-women One of
be prisoners was woman. i saw you
lick up that knot OF ribbon. There is
o excuse. None"
81 had the honor to be the first man
ehind your excellency at the storm of
aon." l said, with happy recollec-
on.
And saved my life, you we're going
D say" he cut in. ] bowed, and de
one began again to pace up and down,
ngging at his short-pointed beard.
"See here, win pay my debt; but
rst ask if I have your parole not to
tempt escape. lfyou do not give it,"
nd he laid his hand on call-bell, with
a inquiring look towards me.