Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-16

LOUISVILLE. KY. NEW YORK. ny.
gained his senses, they two would be
more than match for this fool who
had ventured single handed to so lone
ly a spot as the hostel of st. Bonnet.
And when her friend was safely dis
posed of he would call Jeanne herself
to account for her behavior.
He soon heard voices and footsteps;
the chamber door was opening. Then
came an indescribable murmur of glad
ness. Laval ragged and swore as he
thought how this rustic's eyes were
drinking in the girls beauty, and how
he was summing himself in her smiles
He shall not have her for all that"
He gave a malignant smile. she is
bound to marry me now, to save her
reputation"
Jeanne was speaking to D'Orbec, and
Laval put his ear to the door. How
good CT you to come. How did you
find me?"
II ask myself that very question as
l look at you" There was laugh in
the deep voice. The description l
have been giving of the lady | wished
W ulu w dS lloI lihC sOu IAuttoiiAcs nv
more like you than a closed rosebud
is to the opened flower. l understand
now what the good hostess meant at
Moulins when she said it must be long
since l had seen the Countess of La
val'
Jeanne blushed, and her little foot
patted the floor with Impotence. She
said, with an arch glance that took
ROLAND back to Longuedec:
"FIe, monsieur! you have, 1 fear,
been keeping bad company! Since
when have you learnt to call me mad
anne, and to pay me compliments, as I
hear they do at Court?"
Il have not been at Court, sweet
friend; l have been keeping watch in
the Low Countries, and also fighting
there, so that it was not till after you
had quilted Laval that l received the
sad news which told me you were an
orphan"
The listener in the closet noted a
pause.
Jeanne bent her head, while her eyes
filled; the sight of Rolland-the very
sound of his voice-had conjured up
that happy time when she used to tease
him to Ler hearts content, and her
loved mother used TO sit near them,
smiling at their disputes. Happy days!
gone, alas. from both their lives for
ever.
Il discovered at Laval that Gillonne,
your woman, had quilted YOU and had
gone to Mayenne. This puzzled me; |
could not believe that the faithful Gre
ature would have forsaken you except
for some good reason. My idea was
that she had gone to Orbec or to Lon
guedec, so | wasn't there. At Tongue
dec | learnt she had not been heard of,
and sent Lao-you remember him.
back TO Orbec, bidding Gillonne. If he
found her there, follow me to Moulins,
for at Laval l learnt that your escort
was on its way to seek the King"
Jeanne nodded. THAT was kind and
clever Of you; but how can you have
tracked me from Moulins?"
She looked at him with such perfect
trust in her lovely eyes that he sat
silent, thinking what a blessed chance
it was that he had found her.
why do you not tell me-" she said
with touch of impotence, so like the
naughty Jeanne of former days, when
a wilful fit seized her, that instead of
answering her question he laughed.
The listener in the closet cursed them
again.
The flush deepened on Jeanne's sweet
face, while ROLAND wished he were
free p sit and look at her, instead of
having to cudgel his memory for facts
which the sight Of her had completely
blotted out
You see, I am still as naughty as
ever. And. after all, why need l ask
how you came? Since you are here,
that is enough" He felt thrilled by
the look she gave him. II only want
to know if you heard of me at an inn
called the F'leur de Lys, between this
place and ST. Etienne?"
Yes, I heard of you, but | learnt
your route from the inn in the village
close by; the soldiers who form your
escort had been quartered there, and I
heard enough about them TO quicken
my desire TO find you without delay l
learnt that they are here in Auvergne
for the express purpose OF capturing
the Constable de Bourbon, and that
their leader is confident of success"
Jeanne laughed gaily
do you not remember telling me
that / must drop salt On a birds tail
before l could catch it? But ! see you
are on the right side: I can read your
eyes Just I used TO- Now I am goin z
to tell you a secret. The Count OF Laval
has been kind, but as long as he keeps
me with him he will not find IL easy
TO capture my lord of Bourbon. You
used to read me the tale of a Gagged
lion, and how poor little mouse set
the noble beast free. Well, then. my
friend, did that tonight"
The listener In the closet ground his
teeth with fury. ROLAND whistled.
Tonight? Hist. my child, we must
be careful" he went on In so low a
voice that Laval could hardly hear him
How came II that you guessed he was
in the inn?"
II hardly know. / suppose I came
prepared Did they tell yuu at the
Fleur de Lys that l was left alone