Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-23
"Vive Ie Roiln The arccza n,rr rio

| the deep-mouthed cheer as they broke
through the mailed ranks of de Rone's
| own cuirassiers, and drove horse and
foot. knight and knave, in huddled
mob before them.
1t may have been fancy, but thought
l saw in the press dark figure that
suddenly turned the reins of huge,
black charger and flew at the king.
For an instant two bright sword blades
| crossed in the air, and then the black
horse plunged riderless into the gray
spate of smoke that the wind was bear.
ing westwards and groan as of dis
pair fell on my ears.
"Vive lie Roll" Once again came the
full-throated cry, and the bay horse was
galloping towards us, followed by the
line of swords, no longer shining, but
dulled and red with the slaughter they
had made.
The next moment the enemy were on
us. We met them with row of pixies;
but what could we do, for we were few
in number, weary with the long strug-
gle, and weak with wounds? The issue
was never in doubt, and they broke us
at once. have vague memory of
fighting for dear life amidst thunder
of hoofs, and the kissing sweep Of
swords, but was ridden down by some
one, and all became dark around me.
When my mind came back, it was with
the consciousness of rain that was fall
ing softly, and the cool drops FLASHED
on my burning head with sensation of
relief that l cannot describe. suffered
from an intolerable thirst, and strove to
rise that might find means to quench
1t; but found 1 was powerless to move,
and writhed in my agony in the rut
amidst the corn stalks wherein had
fallen. The rain was but passing
shower, and when it ceased light but
cool breeze sprang up. 1t was night,
and a fitful moon shone through the
uneasy clouds that hurried to and fro
overhead in the uncertain breeze, which
shifted its quarter as often as q child
might change its mind.
A half-hour OF So MAY have passed
thus, and the moon was now almost en-
tirely obscured. Occasionally l could
hear, through the darkness around me,
the moaning of some poor wounded
wretch, and now and again rose the
shrill discordant shrek of a MANNED
horse, an awful cry of pain, the effect of
which those only who may have heard
1t can understand. Soon a number of
twinkling lights began to hover over
the plain. Gradually two of these Ian.
thorns came closer to me, stopped
about ten PAGES off, and when saw who
bore them / knew at once they were
death-hunters, and that in few mo-
ments the knife of one Of these ghouls
might end my suffering. There were
two of these fiends, man and a woman,
and as they halted the man stopped;
there was choking cry for mercy, the
blow of dagger, and groan. The
robber busted himself in searching the
dead mans person, and, in the silence
that followed, the woman with him
threw up her head and laughed horrid
shrill laugh.
"Be still, fool" he snarled, cor you'll
laugh another way If tickle you with
my knife"
"Pouf!" she said, "there is no use in
squabbling, partner. This is the sixth
we have helped to hell tonight, and not
broad piece amongst them. Holy
Virginl This is field of paupers--let
us begone!" and to my joy she made as
if to go.
"Stay, Bahette! what shines there2"
and Mauginot ran forward couple of
PAGES, and bending low wrenched some
thing from body, and then stood up,
holding 1t to the light.
l saw his face clearly, and saw also
his prize. 1t was poor de Leyva's collar
of the Golden Fleece, and the blood
stained hand of the croquemort held
it up to the lantern, and clinked the
jeweled links, whilst he feasted his eyes
on the gold and gems. Over his shoul-
ders peered the pitiless features of his
partner, and in her eyes blazed all the
bad light of avarioe and murder. l al
most held my breath as watched the
eyes of the woman leave the jewel and
turn on the man with death in their
look. AS for him, he was unconscious
of the knife quivering in the nervous
fingers behind him, and he chucsled
over his find.
THAT is the collar of the Toison d 'Or,
Babette. But will wed you, and we
will buy an estate and settle down, and
yon will be Madame de Mauginot-hey
That carrion there must have been
great prince-a field of paupers-bah!
Give me more paupers like this. am
sorry he. is dead. Babette, l would like
to have-Ah, mon Dieul-you devil!
you DEVIL" for as he babbled on. his
words were cut short by Babette's knife,
which she buried to the hilt between his
shoulderblades, and he fell on his knees
and then lurched on his face stone dead.
The murderess made a snatch at the
jewel, which l saw her conceal, and
then with a moclSing "Adieu. NJ. de
Mauginot!" to her victim, stepped over
my body and moved out of sight, swing.
ing her lantern, and laughing low to
herself.
AS I watched this hideous scene,
for the moment forgot the pain of my
hurts; but they soon began to assert
themselves In such manner that ]
longed for the relief that unconscious
ness would afford. So the long hours
Of the night passed, and at last it was
dawn once more, and morning came.
Lying with my car against the
ground, heard the dull beat of horses
hoofs, growing louder and more dis
fipcf nc thav oprro,obo5 ,od - /,