Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-18


to take her.
He found Gaspard stretching and
shaking himself. Laval took him to the
stables, bade him dip his head in a
bucket of cold water, and then bring
the horses out ready, with as little de-
lay as possible.
He re-entersd the house by the back
| way, but as he turned to the room
| within which he had left Jeanne he
| heard some hustle before the house
door. Going forward, he saw a tall
! woman in colloquy with the hostess.
! He recognized Gillonne, and drew back,
| but the woman saw him
''Eh, mon Dieu, there is Monsieur lie
Comte himself, Will Monsieur lie
| Comte assure this good hostess that
| madame is my mistress, and that she
| may safely conduct me to my dear
| ladys Chamber
The temperance of Gillonne, whom
he thought safely disposed of, gave
Laval a sudden shock. He pulled
himself together, and answered:
Your mistress is not in her chamber,
and | doubt If Madame can tell you
where TO find her.
The hostess hated Laval and his err
rand; she considered his presence
blot on her house. She answered very
stiffiy:
Il left the lady in my private room,
with Monsieur lie Vicomte d'Orbec."
you will not find her there now.
Monsieur d'Crbec has ridden away, and
the lady ode with him on the front of
his saddle"
Gillonne stared in surprise, but Laval
spoke decidedly, and the hostess could
not gainsay his assertion.
Doubtless my lady's women are still
here. Will you take me to them, mad
amer"
The hostess nodded; she turned to
show Gillonne the way TO the staircase,
when Gaspard came in from the yard.
''All is ready, my lord; /" His
eyes fell on Gillonne; he started and
looked confused. He wondered what
tale she had told about him.
Gillonne left the hostess and hurried
back TO Laval.
"Thct man is villain, monsieur; he
would have taken my life if had not
escaped from him at Mayenne."
As Laval turned on him in angry
| rebuke, Gaspard recollected himself.
He knew that the Count could not do
| without him, and he also knew that
nothing would be refused him if he
helped to capture the Constable de
Bourbon.
Pardon me, my lord Count, but the
good dame is in error. Come, come,
Gillonne; you cannot say you were
badly treated. The truth Is that you
listened, and listeners hear things
turned inside out: they mistake lining
for good stuff. AS We rode along my
lord, ! found Dame Gilonne pleasant
and capable; | even fancied l had
made progress in her good graces;
when 10 you there! as ill-luck would
have it, | must needs lodge my convoy
at the Croix dor. The hostess there,
Louise, is an old acquaintance, a.Jd the
warmth of her reception seems o have
displeased my new fame, for next
morning, when | sought Dame Gill
Tonne in her chamber, I found her
flown. She went, l suppose, to her
cousin, and l troubled my head no
more about her Women are jealous
the best of them" Then, with an I'M
pleasant look at Gillonne: "Ventrebleu
dame, I advise you to stick to truth;
you may else find this air unhealthy"
A voice broke in:
"a word with you, my lord, on the
instant"
Laval turned and saw the Mouins
spy. Reckoning the man to follow
him, he went into the now vacant eat
ing room.
The spy's face was full OF excite
ment.
MY lord has not moment TO lose;
the Duke is on the way to Vienne
where he means 10 ford the Rhone
Cross lower down, Monsieur lie Comte,
and intercept him on the other side;
be will not expect to meet foe in
front, and capture will be easy"
Laval was almost frenzied He dared
not leave Jeanne to be freed by Gil
lCnne, and yet every moment Of delay
r.sked his chance Of seizing the fugi-
tive constable. He stood gnawing his
mustache
A knocking came from the inner
room, then a sudden outcry.
Help, help! Let me Quit"
Laval dashed into the little room;
Gillonne and the hostess ran there
from the kitchen, the tire-woman cry
ing:
Great Heavens, that is my lady's
voice, Where is she? Where?"
Laval pushed her out of the way.
Peace foolish woman" he said in
a tone Of authority "Do you not hear
that the voice comes from above?
Some ruffian is molesting your lady's
| women. See to it, hostess; women
should not come to harm under your
roof" *
He was crazed with impaHence to be
rid of them. or he would net havet ut
tered such foolish words
Gillonne was at the door in an in
slant.
Where is the key?" she cried. ri
am here. dear lady. l dare swear that
villain Count is at the bottom Of it,
All, blessed saints he praised" Her
voice rose into a joyful scream. Look
there-lcok there" and she pointed to
the window
ITO be continued)