Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-30

palace at Moulins-in other words, to
arrest his powerful subject; since then
ne had learnt that the King had de-
cared himself convinced of his royal
cousins good faith, and that at part
ing from him Bourbon had promised
10 follow the King to Lyons as soon as
ne recovered from the illness which had
Kept him in bed during his sovereign's
visit
Laval was determined to marry the
young widow, besides his desire to pos
sess the handsome dowryy bequeathed
to her, and her own rich inheritance,
her beauty strongly attracted him;
but he knew that he could not marry
her without the Kings leave, and last
night news had reached him from Mou-
Inns which seemed to open direct way
to his purpose.
News had come to him by a secret
agent that as soon as the King quilted
M1ulins the Constable rose from his
sick-bed, and he and his friend De
Pomperant had ridden at full speed to
La Palisse, and some hours later to the
Dukes strong fortress of Chantelles; it
was supposed, Laval's spy told him,
that when this news reached the King,
price would certainly be set on Bour-
bon's head. 1t happened that Laval
had served under this great commander,
and had once fallen under his severe
displeasure for his ill-treatment Of a
woman Laval had secretly vowed re-
venge, and now this opportunity was
not only made to his hand but he saw
that it would serve two purposes; his
spy was one of the Constable's SER
wants; and through him tidings of the
fugitive would get to him before they
would reach the King. This proposal,
therefore, of Jeanne's would give him
opportunity to capture Bourbon in his
hiding place; Laval did not believe that
he would remain shut up in Chantelles
with small garrison.
II he could present himself to Fran
els with the news that the Duke of
Bourbon was his prisoner, he felt sure
that no boon he asked would be re-
fused him; the wealthy estates OF
Longuedec would be his for the ask
ing AS to the girl, if she proved re-
bellious, he could leave her when she
was his wife, in her old home or at
Laval.
The thought Of Jeanne's beauty
made him determine that if possible,
there would be no meeting between
her and the susceptible monarch.
His. continued silence surprised
Jeanne.
You do not answer me, monsieur.
Do you then find my plan impossl-
ble?"
Pardon me, madame; | have been
thinking how it can be best carried
out. Lyons is more distant than you
think. and the journey there will be
long and wearisome. II we could
start before daybreak and con -inue
our tourney late into the evening,
there might be hope that we should
overtake the King; but, dear lady, |
hesitate to ask such sacrifices OF
strength from you.
is that all? You need not fear for
me-" she said. cheerfully; his acquies-
cence in her proposal had restored her
trust in him. My only difficulty is
how | can send word to my woman
Gillonne that we have changed our
route and are no longer on our way TO
Amboise."
''She will follow instructions, and
go on to Amboise," he answered;
"fnding that you have not yet arrived,
she will wait for your coming. AS
soon as we reach Blois, ! will dis
patch messenger telling her where
she can join you or. if it so please you,
he shall bid her remain at Amboise.
In the disturbed state OF the country
with these marauding bands, I hold
that TO be the safer" He suddenly
paused and pointed forward Pardon
me. madame, there is something amiss
before US" He raised his hat, spur
red his horse, and rode rapidly to the
head of the party.
Jeanne looked forward, but she
could only see a cloud of dust with
glitter of steel in the midst of it.. 1t
came nearer; she heard loud voices
and the clash Of arms; shots were
fred, and the cloud became denser
still. She guessed that their band was
attacked by some of the evil gentry
spoken of by Laval She looked
around her; the country was level and
mOnotonous, though occasionally
there were glimpses of low hills. They
were in the valley of the Loire, and
there was an absence of the forest
land they had traversed near Laval
They had already crossed the river,
and she could see it again before them,
on it's way to Blois. Presently she saw
Laval coming out of the melee. In a
few minutes he rode up to her, his face
glowing with excitement.
"You need not be alarmed. madame:
handful of those vauriens who now
infest the highways of France has at
tempted to bar our passage, but we
will soon disperse them"
Jeanne smiled
Il have no fear. My father was a
brave soldier, and he told me disci-
plined men were always match for
lawless robbers
He smiled at her enthusiasm.
Il see that madame is a true soldiers
daughter bowed-"but | must ask
her to retire to the rear with her wO-
men, so as to be safe from any, chance
shot which may reach even here" He
turned in his saddle. "Gildas, take the
Countess's bridle-rein and keep beside
her. she will be safe behind yonder
stone He pointed with his sword,
and waving his hand to Jeanne, he gal
loped back to the front
Jeanne remembered that Gillonne
had told her she trusted the soldier
named Gildas They were already some
distance from the spot where De Retz
had left them.
Where are we going?" she asked.
Gildas pulled up his horse and looked
around He pointed to low hill on the
left of the road. on which rose one of
those dolmens which exist between
! 1t T. l.