Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-08

Jcutiic1 outuaf4us uiSSoftACt W -
this little mystery meant. could not
help being little amused at the man
ner in which my bashful friend. whose
face was so well covered up, kept him
self prisoner in his corner, but at this
moment the girls cooking was finished,
and the sayory odor of it was appar-
emily more than lie could endure, for he
suddenly sprang to his feet, exclaiming:
Nom du diablel am sick of this,
and hungry as wolf. Give me my sup
per, Marie-and If he wants to take me
let him do so if he can-he will have
to fight an old soldier first"
As he spoke / distinctly saw his hand
indicate me, and with an alarmed cry
the girl sprang between us. 1t flashed
upon me that my gentleman was. after
all, only some one who was wanted, and
that he regarded me with as much APP
prehension as / regarded him with
caution.
"Tush!"I said, you good people make
a great fuss over nothing. | certainly
do not want to take you, my man, and
neither you nor your little sweetheart
here need be the least alarmed"
had hardly finished speaking when
rushed forward. ut is the chevalier
lit is NJ. d'Auriac = idiot, turkey,
pig that am to have kept my eyes shut,
and not recognize you. Monsieur, do
you not know me-Nicholas, your SER
geant, whom you saved from the roper"
Where you appear likely 10 go again,
Nicholas; but what are you skulldng
about here for?" The wood in the fire.
place blazed up as / spoke, and saw
Nicholas shift uneasily and look at the
girl, who had moved 10 his side, and
stood with her hands holding on 10 his
cloak.
This place was my home once, mon
sienr." she said, bitterly. and have
come back to it,"
II see you have, sergcant--but why in
this way?"
Monsieur. ] was driven TO straits and
did a thing. Then they hunted me
from Dreux to Rouvres. from Rouyres
to Anet--"
''And from Anct came you here?"
sit is but a stone-throw, Nicholas
answered. land | had business in
hand. After which we were going
away"
While he was speaking Marie lit Ian
thorn. and | saw that my ex-ser-
geant was evidently in the lowest water.
He had been a smart soldier, but was
now unkempt and dirty, and his eye had
the shifty look of hunted animal. He
wore rusty corselet and rustier chain
cap on his head, drawn over bandage
that covered his ears. As my eye fell
on the bandage | called to mind the
mutilation that had been inflicted on
him, brand that had cast him out of
the pale of all honest men. Nicholas
watched my glances, and ground his
teeth in rage. II will kin him." he
Kissed, kill him like the dog he is
monsieur, that was my business"
"Then de Gormeron-"
as but an hours ride away, mon
sieur-at Anet."
AT Anetl What does he do there?'
Monsieur" he answered hoarsely.
taking me By the sleeve of my doublet,
Il know not; but fortnight ago he
came here with score OF lances at his
back. and the kings commission In his
pocket. and he lords 1t as II he were
the duke himself. Yesterday great
noble came up from the Blaisois, and
! another whose name l know not has
come from Paris-and they hatch trea-
SON against the king. Monsieur, / can
prove this. You saved my life once, and,
beast as am now. / am still grateful.
Come with me; l will settle my score
with him, and tomorrow you can bear
news to- the court that will make you a
great man.
1t was one of those moments that re-
auire instant decision. was certainly
cot going to assist Nicholas in commit
ting a murder. Any such plan of his
would be easily Stopped, but II what
the man said was true, then he had
given me information that might be of
the greatest value TO me. If it was
false, well, then l should have fools
errand for my pains, but be otherwise
none the worse off. There was no time
to question him in detail-for second
was silent. and Marie looked from one
to another of us. with wide-open eyes.
"You have horse?" / asked.
"Yes. monsieur-it is hidden in the
forest not 800 toises from here"
eve are ready, NJ. le Chevalier,' and
jacques voice broke in upon us, Jacques
himself standing in the doorway My
mind was made up that instant, and i
decided to take the chance.
Jacques" said, Il have business
here tonight. which must be done alone
ride on, therefore, yourself to Rouvres
and await me at the Grand Cert III
anyone tries to hinder you say that you
ride for your master in the kings name.
If I am not at Rouvres by morning
make your way to Septeuil. II do
not arrive in two days, go home and do
the best you can for yourself-you fol-
low"
Monsieur"
"Adieu, then-and Marie, here is some
thing as a wedding portion for you"