Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-08
A WARD OF The KING.
KATHARINE S. MACOUOID,
Author of "Maisie Derrick" THE Story
of Lois Patty" Louisa AT
the Red Glove" Miss Eyon
of Eyoncourt," &c.
Copyright.
NCopyFiSnL.)
Continued from Yesterdays Issue.)
CHAPTER XIV.
HOLLANDS REQUEST.

ROLLAND ) REQUEST.
ROLAND de la Touche gave command
of the troop to Matthew, while with his
own hands he entrusted to Lao the pre-
cious banner of the Kergrists.
By the time he had ridden league
with these two, in advance of the rest,
he had learnt how useful they could
be to him in his quest They had both
served under the Constable, and they
were devoted TO him. Matthew had
been born in the Bourbonnais, and ac-
knowledged no other Sovereign than
the Duke of Bourbon. They both de-
tested the new Count of Laval, and
ROLAND found himself compelled 10
hear many tales to the disadvantage OF
Jeanne's present guardian.
Rolland's anxiety tC@eejoin the young
Countess had greatly increased since he
left Orbec; he now determined to give
up his visit to Mayenne, because it
would cause considerable detour. He
would travel to Moulins by way of Ven
dome and Blois, because, having gath
cred that Jeanne had followed that
route, he hoped, in one or other place,
TO CLEAN some tidings as to where he
should at last find her. He had no fear
of ultimate failure; ROLAND de la
Touche had not an exalted idea Of his
own powers, but he firmly believed that
there was no such word as impossible
in any enterprise he undertook.
He did not, however give up his pur-
pose of seeking for Gillonne; he de-
spatched Lao with one of his own men
<n ~,
woman al Mayenne, and if they found
reason to suspect that she had gone on
to Orbec, to follow her there, and to
bring her on with all speed to Moulins,
where he would leave instructions at
an inn recommended by Matthew as to
his subsequent route.
They Travelled more quickly than
Jeanne and her escort, for they chang
ed horses more fequently, and spent
most of their time in the saddle
At Moulins ROLAND announced his in
teltion of spending a few hours at the
inn, called LIE Occur Loyal, recommend
ed by Matthew, who said it was kept by
his cousin, once a servant of the Duke
of Bourbon. There would be clean
beds, he said and fair dealing.
Good qualities both; If the food and
wine are on the same level, we cannot
do better" ROLAND answered, so they
rode down the steep street of the town
to the inn where Jeanne and Laval had
rested.
Neither at VendOme nor Blois did
they gain any tidings of the party from
Laval At Bloisy the Constable was in
every mans mouth he was stigmatis-
al h1d
to Henry Of England and to the En-
peror Charles; SO near Amb0ise the
Royal influence was paramount. More
than once the travellers heard the hope
expressed that Bourbon would soon be
taken. and then drawn and quartered
as traitor TO King and country. Roll
land was forced to bind Matthew down
to keep the peace, so indignant was the
honest fellow at the insults heaped on
his benefactor. The Vicomte rode along
pensively; he kncW that if by any
chance he encountered the Duke, who
was said to be in hiding in the Bour-
bonnaise, his plain duty as a loyal sub
ject was to deliver him up 10 justice;
and he also knew that he would rather
cut off his own right hand than bet-ay
Charles of Bourbon to the King.
He dismounted before the door Of
the Occur Loyal, and noted the cordial
greeting between Matthew and the hos
tess. While he waited for supper, he
babe the man inquire about the Count
ess and the party with whom she trav-
elled Matthew did not return with his
tidings, and ROLAND supposed that they
had put up at the wrong hosiery, and
that he should have TO make inquiry in
Moulins itself.
He had gone UP TO his bedchamber,
and was sitting at the window looking
UP the rising road, when Matthew
knocked at the door; the man looked
excited, but he did not speak till the
Vicomte gave him leave.
My lord" he said eagerly, the lady
has been here; also the new Count OF
Laval" He went back 10 the door and
/ looked out; then he opened the door
into the loft. AT time like this, my
lord knows, lives hang on words. II
appears that the lady herself told my
cousin she was on her way 10 Lyons
10 see the King; my cousin, however,
feels sure that the Count Of Laval is
engaged in tracking him you wot of.
my lord, and that therefore, instead OF
turning of to Lyons, the party has
gone on towards LIE Puy. But mark
this, my lord; when the lady in the
early morning left the hostel-twas
but three days ago-the Count Of Laval
was not with her: he had left a soldier
named Gaspard in command of the es-
cort. which slept. ii appears. in Moul-
ms; among the soldiers was Duprat,
the paid spy of the Count-a villain
my cousin would not have lodged or
fed She says it is possible that these
two may be tracking my lord Duke,
while the lady travels slowly TO Lyons,