Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-18

coming of the king had awakened the
good citizens to life again, for there
were lights at nearly all the windows,
though the street itself was in dark
ness, except at the spots where Ian
tern or two swung on ropes stretched
across the road and lit up few yards
dimly around them. A few steps fur
| Their brought me almost opposite large
house, over the entrance to which was
a transparent signboard with row of
lamps behind 1t, and saw had STUN
bled across More's, the eating and
gaming house kept by the most cele.
brated traiteur in Paris. had mind
to step in, more out of curiosity than
anything else, when, just as halted in
hesitation before the door, two or three
masked cavaliers came out, singing and
laughing, and in the foremost of them
had no difficulty in recognizing the old
reprobate d'Ayen. Much as would
have avoided quarrel, it could not be
helped, for I had the door, and it was
certainly my right. to enter. They,
however, ranged themselves arm in arm
before me and, being in wine, began to
laugh and jeer at my somber attire.
docs M. Ie Huguenot think there is
a preche here?" said d'Ayen, bowling to
me In mockery as he lifted his plumed
hat. determined to show in my an
swer that knew them.
/ LET me pass, NJ. d'Ayen," l said,
coldly, 1--WE have too much between us
| to quarrel here"
He knew me well enough, but pre-
tended surprise.
"Corboeuft monsieur lie chevalier,
and SO it is you! Gentlemen, allow me
to present you to NJ. lie Chevalier
d'Auriac, with whom l have an argu-
ment that we never could bring to
conclusion; we disagreed on the SUBJ
| ject Of landscape gardening"
1t was a hard pill to swallow, but l
had made up my mind to retreat. The
Edict was fresh; a conflict there would
have meant complete disaster; and
there would have been no chance for
escape as the passage was getting
| crowded.
II remember perfectly" said, carry
ing on d'Ayen's feint, but am not
| prepared to discuss the matter now.
| must go back to take some notes to re-
fresh my memory" The man was
flown with wine. lie thought feared
him, and my words, which reused his
companions to scornful laughter, made
him do foolish thing.
Vat least take reminder with YOU"
and he flung his soft, musk-scented
| glove in my face.
"a ring! ring!" reared twenty
voices, and before knew where was
was in the center of circle in the
| passage, the slight figure of d'Ayen be-
fore me, and the point of his rapier
| glinting like diamond, now in quartz,
now in tierce.
| Some one-I know not who-at this
juncture cut the sillen cord by which
| huge ornamental lantern was hung
above our heads. 1t fell with crash
and in moment we were in semi-dark-
ness. ! took the opportunity to dash
| forward, fiatten myself against the
wall, and by dint of little manage
ment and more good luck, succeeded in
| getting within a yard or so of the
! door. Here, taking my occasion, made
a sudden spring forward, upsetting
man in front of me, and dashed off down
the street. Unfortunately, l was not
1 so quick but that was seen and in
stantly pursued by portion of the
watch on guard outside.
There was nothing for it but to run.
Fast as ! went. however, there were
/ good men behind me, and could not
| shake them off, though the streets were
In gloom. The worst of the matter,
however, was that the watch was being
constantly reinforced by amateur
| guardians of the peace. Everyone who
happened to be passing, or heard the
noise, seemed to think it his duty to
| join in the chase, and it was with fine
following that headed toward the
/ river. Heaven knows how cursed my
folly at having put my nose into More's.
and ! redoubied my pace us heard,
from the shouts to the right and to the
/ left of me, that was practically
hemmed in, and that my only chance
| was to take to the river. They were
| close up to me when reached the bank
few yards below pont aux Meunniers,
and without further hesitationI plunged
in, and tie bubbling and seething of
the water brought the yell of disap-
| pointment from the bank family to my
ears. The set of the stream was toward
the opposite shore, and in five seconds
was in pitch darkness, though, look
ing back over my shoulder as struck
out. could see, by the lanterns that
some carried. the watch and the volun-
teer brigade dancing with anger at my
escape, but none of them dared to fol-
low.
had to swim with will, for the cur
rent was swift; but at length I reached
my own side of the river, drenched, it is
true. but safe, for the present.
/ Pantin opened the door to me.
i "Cief!" he exclaimed. MS he saw me
wet and dripping. what has hap
pened?"
~ have hal a swim in the Seine, Pam
tin-say nothing about it."
4 (To be continued)