Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-15
CHAPTER VI.
GREEN AS A JADE CUP"


las and l. On our left we could hear tn
drumming of a horses hoofs growing
fainter and more faint, as Jacques rod
through the night TO Rouvres. Marie
wailing came to us from behind, ant
Nicholas, who was walking logged,
along by the neck of my horse, stopped
short suddenly and looked back. Turn
ing in my saddle / looked back too, ant
there she was. in shadowy outline, al
the ruined gates of the inn, and agar
her sobbing cry came to us.
We turned sharply, behind the silent
ly waving arms of a hedge of hornbeam
and it was a relief to find that this cut
away all further chance of seeing the
pitiful figure at the gates Of the inn
Nicholas drew the folds Of his frayeo
cloak over his head, as if to shut ont
all sound, and hurried onward--a tall
figure, lank and dark. that fitted before
me within the shadow of the hedgerow,
"You count your toises long here,
Nicholas" Remarked, for something to
say.
"They are as we reckon them, mon
sieur. But few steps further and we
will get my horse, and after that there
is no difficulty, for know each track
and bypath of these woods"
sand I wager that many a fat buck
has dropped here TO your arquebus on
moonlight nights such as this"
Zone does not learn the forest for
nothing NJ. lie CheEalier. but the bucks
fell lawfully enough. My grandfather
came here as huntsman TO Nine. Diane.
my father succeeded him. and had
followed my father but for the war"
AAnd smart soldier you made. !
that when ! cut you down
from a nasty position had not time
then to hear how you came in such
plight. How was it? Tell me the truth"
II have almost forgotten how to do
so. I will try. however, and make ii
short. When NJ. lie Marquis bore you of
after the duel and the escape Of the
prisoners. Capt. de Gomeron turned on
me, and. damning me from head to toe.
sworc he would fay me to ribbons.
Feeling sure he would do so, and care.
less of the consequences, I answered
back-with the result you know.
Marked as | was, it was useless to seek
anywhere. and then I be-
zane what I am. and will end on the
wheel"
II don't think So" said. but he in
erruptedr
"At any rate, not before have paid
ny debt, and the bill presses"
l had purposely worked up TO this.
See here, sergeant" l said, mo non
'ense. Brush off that bee that you
ave on your head. You are here to-day
o attend to my business. not your own.
lou say you are sick of your present
life. Well. / have means to give you
mother chance. and will do so; but ] |
epeat again. no nonsense.-you under
tand?"
He stood silently for a moment, look !
ng this way and that. We were within |
yard or so of the forest, and its shad- |
W covered him, all but his face, which
'as turned to me, drawn and white.
lie was struggling against old habits OF
bsolute obedience, and they won. Il
NJ. lie Chevalier."
VERY well, then, go on, and remem-
err what have said"
he turned and stepped forward. This
'ay, and mind the branches overhead"
nd we entered the forest, my horse
'aping low ditch that separated it
-om the grass land. We took soft
Uncovered path, overhung by branch
!. and went on for about so PAGES be-
IRE coming to halt, which we did in
small. Irregular patch Of trees thatlay
the full flood of the moonlight. In
Ie darkness beyond heard the gentle
urmur Of small spring. and then the
stinct movement Of heavy body and
e clink of iron. Ny hand reached to
holster in q fash, but Nicholas saw
e gesture, and said: at Is the horse.
moment monsieur" and lifting up !
. curtain Of leaves beside him, from
hich a. he did so the dew fell IN q
~ shower, he Owed into the thicket, tc :
appear again leading the long black
igth OF his horse. 1t struck me at !
ce that the beast was of uncommon :
e. and this and the white star on its ;,
rehead brought to my mind the recol- !
tion Of De Rone's great English !,
anger, Couronne.
'Harnibleul" burst out '.you seem :
be in the lowest water, and here you =
ve horse worth hundred pistoles
the Ieasti"
Did you see her by daylight, mon :.
ur. you would know that twice hun =