Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-20
4 WARD Of TIE KING.
KATHARINE S. MACQUOID.
Author of "Maisie Derrick THE Story
of Lois" Patty" Louisa. AT
the Red Glove" Miss Eyon
of Eyoncourt," &c.
(Copyright.)
Continued from Yesterdays Issue.)
CHAPTER XVI.

Continued from Yesterdays Issue.)
CHAPTER XVI.
AT LAST.
ROLAND haG ridden rapidly away
from the hostel of La Verite, then more
slowly down the hill which he had so
lately mounted. 1t was growing dark,
and he had to ride carefully down the
rough road. 1t seemed to him likely
that Laval and his men were near at
hand, and he was anxious to return
to the inn as quickly as he could with
a sufficient force to protect Jeanne
from the Counts devices. Now that
he had seen her, he guessed at his RI
walls designs. Doubtless Laval would
try and get the Kings consent to mar
ry her, so that when the time OF her
mourning expired he would possess
himself of both the beautiful heiress
and the lands of Longuedec.
But ROLAND INDUCED in a happy
smile, for, with all Lavals knavery, it
seemed to him that Jeanne's courage
and spirit would enable her to defy
him; she would not submit to be we'd
ded against her will.
All at once he heard a movement on
the further side of the road and he
made out a shapeless figure on horse
back, trying, as it seemed, to ride full
speed uphill.
who goes there?" he called out, and
urged his horse across the road, so as
to bar the passage of the shapeless
rider.
"Ah! may the blessed saints be
praised! Eth, Mon Dieu. to think of
meeting Monsieur lie Vicomte here,
when l made sure he was on the hill
top, with my dear lady! | pray my
ing?" The familiar voice rejoiced
D'Orbec
Your dear lady will be glad enough
go see you, Gillonne; you have left
Lao with his fellows down below, have
you so, and, like a brave-hearted wo-
man, have ridden alone in the gloom
to seek your lady Ride up quickly,
my friend; you cannot miss your way.
The inn stands straight before you on
the hilltop. l have but now left your
mistress in the hostess's parlor."
AS the woman rode off, he called af-
ter her:
Tell your lady l will return to her
on the instant
This return was not, however, to be
as speedy as he had hoped for.
When Gillonne quilted Lao, the men
gathered round him, listening to the
further tidings he had CLEANED in re-
gard to the Constable's flight from
Chantelles. Their loud voices in eager
talk reached ROLAND, but when he saw
no forward movement on the part of
the horsemen he felt exasperated, for
he had hidden them follow him to the
inn on the arrival of Lao.
''Silence!" he cried sternly "You
stand gossiping like pack of washer
women, while mischief may be brewing
on the hilltop. You, Matthew and Lao,
mount and follow me; the rest can ride
up the hill at a slower pace"
With that ROLAND turned and gal
Hoped up the hill. The September moon
gathering clouds, now rose above them,
and as he approached the inn a food
Of silver light glorifed the gloomy as
pect of the place. The light enabled
D'Orbec to see a side opening which
led, as he guessed to the stable-yard;
he told himself he would leave his horse
there till his followers Joined him.
While he tethered his horse to the
hook in the wall beside the mounting
block, Gillonnes exclamation had
drawn Laval's eyes to the window
which looked on the courtyard.
The Count felt for an instant check
mated, but second glance showed him
that D'Orbec was alone. He FASTENED
from the little room, closing the door
behind him. "Gaspard!" he cried; then
seeing that the man had gone back to
his liquor, he drew his dagger and
struck the hilt sharply on the side of
the drinkers head.
Gaspard started up with an oath;
then seeing who had struck him, he
said:
IT'S not fair, my lord, to hit man
unawares: you have well-nigh cracked
my skull"
Laval sheathed his dagger.
Peace, thou wine swiller; there will
be work to thy taste in a twinkling.
Hist. D'Orbec is bereTalone: thou or
must settle accounts, With him; here
he comes
The last words were fercely whis-
pered, for he heard D'Orbec hurrying
in by the side entrance and in an
other moment he entered the eating
room by the door at the lower end.
The Vicomte's blue eyes blazed with
anger at the sight of Laval.
He came forward.
by what right, monsieur, have
you deceived and misled the Countess
Jeanne, so that she has believed her
self on the way to Lyons, while you
were bringing her into the Au,
vergne?"
Laval looked at him, and then
laughed contemptuously. He was on
fire to pursue the fugitive constable
yet he Shrank from leaving D'OrbeG
and Jeanne together. He knew it wa:
no longer possible to carry her away
with him. The only way was to pro-
woke quarrel; he and Gaspart
would soon settle matters with
D'Orbec
ROLAND Redeemed with anger.
You do not answer, my lord?