Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-01
CHAPTER I.
THE JUSTICE OF NJ. DE ROME.

Mile dlaDleS! BOSt again! Inc
devil runs in those dice!" and de Com
eron, with an impatient sweep of his
hand, scattered the little spotted cubes
on TO the floor of the deserted and half
ruined hut, wherein we were beguil-
ing the WEAKNESS of our picket duty
before La Fere, with a shake of our ell
bows, and a few fagons of wine, cap
tured from Monsieur the King of Ma
varre, as we, in our folly, called him
still.
I knew little of de Gomeron, except
that he was of the Camargue, and had
followed the fortunes of d Aumale from
Argues to Ivry, from Iyry to the Exile
In the Low Countries, and that he held
a commission from the duke as cap
tain in his guards. OF our personal re-
lations it is enough to say that we
hated each other, and would have
crossed swords ere now but for the
iron discipline maintained by de Rome
"A discipline the bouquet of which l
had already scented, having escaped by
the skin of my teeth after an affair
with de Gonnor, who trod on my toe at
the generals levee, and was run
through the ribs at sunrise the next
morning.
Up to the time this occurred | had
been attached to de Rone's staff, but
after the accident to de Gonnor was
banished to the outposts, thinking my
self lucky to escape with that.
At any rate, the outpost was under
my command. Imagine, therefore, my
disgust when | found that de Gomeron
had been detached to examine into and
report upon my charge. He did this
moreover in so offensive manner that
/ could barely restrain myself from pa
rading him on the stretch of turf be-
hind the thorn hedge that fenced in
the inclosure to the hovel.
Our feelings towards each other be-
ing as they were, it would seem odd
that we should have diced and drunk
together; but the situation was one of
armed peace; and, besides, time had
to be killed, as for the past week NJ.
de Rcthelos, formerly as lively as a
cricket, had kept himself close as nun
of Port Royal behind the walls of La
Fern, and affairs were inetfably dull
| was certain, however, that we should
soon break into open quarrel, and on
this night | felt a mad anger against
the man as he sat staring at me, and
It was all | could do to restrain myself
from hinging the lees of the wine in
my glass in his face and abiding the
result.
1t was at this moment that we heard
the quick challenge of the sentry out
side, the password as sharply answered,
anc the tramp of feet.
! ne same idea flashed through both
our minds-it must be the general, and
de Gomeron gave expression to the
thought.
''Corbleu! de Rome perhaps-the old
bat on the wing
There followed shuf1ling of feet, and
before a man could count two, Nicholas,
the sergeant of our picket, with file
of men entered the hut, thrusting a
couple Of prisoners, man and wom.
an before them.
1.-TWO birds from La Fere, my cap
tain" and Nicholas with a salute to de
Gomeron pointed to his prize. 1--WE
took them" he ran on, lat the ford near
the Red mill, and but for the moon they
would have gone free; spies no doubt.
The old one is NJ. lie Mouchard, | swear.
There is fox in every line of his face;
and as for madame there-so the old
gentleman calls her--in time | warrant
she VIII learn to love the camp of the
Holy league" and the sergeant pushed
the lantern so that it shown full on the
IaIy'C fana A ouriplIc liObt cnrna in IN
de Gomeron's eyes as he looked at her,
and she shrank back at the sergeants
words and action, whilst the old man
strained at the cords that bound his
wrists till the lines of the blue veins
stood out on his forehead. Madame was
unbound; but her hood had fallen back,
loosening in its fall a mass of chestnut
hair, and from this framework her eyes
glanced from one to another of US, half
in fear and half i'll anger.
"Messicurs!" There was a tremble
in the sweet voice, and there was light
enough to see her color come and go
"Mcssieurs! We are no spies. 1t is
true we are from La Fere, but all that
we did was to try and escape thence
''To the camp Of the Bearnais-eh
mudame?" interrupted de Gomeron.
"To the camp of the king of France,
she flashed back at him, red spot rising
on each check. "Mcssicurs!" she went
on, you are gentlemen, are you not :
You will let us go. Surely the Holy
league wars not with women and old
men?"
The mention of the league stirred hel
companion and he gave tongue.
The Holy league!" he exclaimed
with a savage scorn. Madame, though
we stand delivered unto these sons ot
Belial, | must speak, for my heart is
full. Yea! Shall my lips be sealed be
fore the enemies of the Lord! The Holy
league! Ia! ha! There is no Holy
league. 1t died at Ivry." Here d,
Gomeron cut in with his quick, sterr
voice: "Be silent, sir or else a gag
will stop your tongue" and then will