Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-20

Wuite llue VI IL drawn sword SHINING IN
its hand, stepped between us, coming,
as it were, from nowhere. The cloud
passed, and the moon was again bril-
liant and clear. The light fell on the
commanding form before us, showing
the high aquiline features and grizzled
hair of de Rome himself.
$50 this is how my outposts are
kept?" he said. IN. de Gomeron, you
are the senior officer here and await
your explanation"
Il command the guards of the Duo
d'Aumale," began de Gomeron, sullen-
~, but de Rome interrupted him in the
same deep measured voice.
II know that. Your explanation, or"
and in fierce anger, " by God! you will
hang like common thief by sunrise"
"a gentleman must defend his honor.
Orders or no orders, general, there are
times when one must fight. There was
matter in connection with some pris.
oners, and I was struck by M. d'Auriac.
have nothing further to say"
"Now, NJ. d'Auriac, what have you to
say?"
"The prisoners will, perhaps, explain
to your excellency why I struck this
man."
"Take me to them"
We gathered up our belongings, and,
hastily dressing, led the way back to
the hut. My reflections were none of
the most cheerful. We ali knew de
Rome, and knew that, his mind once
made up, nothing could turn him. De
Gomeron had some chance of escape,
as was the open aggressor. But we
had no great time for thought, as few
steps brought us to the door of the hut.
Another step took us in, and de Rome,
with curling lip, cast glance around
the room.
IT do not see the prisoners" said de
Rome, quietly.
1t was not likely, I thought to N.Y.
self. They were gone-not doubt of
that. On the floor, near my feet, were
some cut cords, and, lying on them, a
knot OF black and white ribbon, that
had fallen there as if by chance. had
seen it last at the shoulder of madame's
dress, and something told me it was not
there by accident. There was, at any
rate, no hope for me from the prisoners,
but sudden impulse could not under
stand urged me to get the knot of rib
bon, so, STOPPING low, picked up the
bow and the cut cords, and, with a
careless movement, flung the latter on
the table, saying quietly: "They have
escaped, your eNcellency."
"And with them your explanation, NJ.
d'Auriac, eh? Corbleu! But the camp
marshal will have his hands full to-
morrow;" and Nicholas halherd all but
fell from his hands as the generals eye
rested on him. De Rome went on: "M.
de Gomeron, you have given me rea-
son for your conduct that will hold
good this once. Further orders will
reach you at daylight about your neg.
lect of your prisoners. AS for you,'
and he turned on me with the sharp
command, "Follow me. You-knaves!
fetch me my horse-he is tethered to
the clump of elms to the right there"
Two men vanished from the door to
| do his bidding, and took the oppor-
| tunity to secrete the knot of ribbon.
In minute or so we heard the sound
|
saw there were two beasts at the door,
and, from the whinny of welcome that
came to me, that one was mine, and
| Nicholas was at his head.
As sprang into the saddle the good
fellow leaned forward and whispered:
make dash for it, chevalier, and
change the flag"
shook my head and followed de
Rome, who had already moved few
PAGES EDWARDS. And yet, as rode on
Nicholas words came back to me with
an insistent force.
'Gallop!''
De Rone's sharp command broke the
thread of my thoughts, and ended al
chance of escape. We set spurs to oul
horses and splashed through the fore
of the Disc, half mile from the out
post. On the other bank n picket chal
lenged, and, giving them the word, we
rode in the direction of camp. A few
strides more and we refined in at the
door of the generals tent. The guart
presented arms and received brie:
order to dismount and follow de Rome
entered the tent, and stood patient
ly whilst he walked backwards and for
wards for a little time. Suddenly III
stopped and, facing me, said:
well, Nj. d'Auriac?"
ut could not be helped, your excel
lency," l stammered.
"You said that Of De Conner, ant
promised it should never occur again
"But there were circumstances"
"Pshawl" he exclaimed, 81 CUES
them Mediterranean. One o
the prisoners was a woman. saw yol
pick up that knot of ribbon. There /
no excuse. None"
81 had the honor to be the first maj
behind your exceilency at the storm o
Laon," l said. with happy recollec
ton.
"And saved my life, you were goin
to say" he cut in. bowed, and d
Rome began again to pace up and down
Juggling at his short-pointed beard.
, ''See here, l will pay my debt; bu
first ask if have your parole not t
attempt escape. If you do not give it
and he laid his hand on call-bell, wit
an inquiring look towards me.
81 will not attempt escape"
"Then you will not have to complai
of the justice of de Rome. To-morro,
some things will happen, and amongs
: them will be the lamented death of tn