Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-01

that this poor hut affords is yours" and
he bent low again, perhaps to hide the
expression in his eyes.
She made no effort to take the chair
he offered, but burst out passionately:
Monsieur, l see you command here,
and it is to you to whom | must appeal.
Monsieur, give you my word of honor
we are no spies. The rules of war allow
the ransom of prisoners, and anything
you name will be paid. Monsieur, pray
you let us 60"
AS she finished her appeal madame
turned towards the captain with ges-
ture of entreaty; but in this movement
she saw that in his voice and manner
which paled her cheeks to marble, and
she made a half-irresolute step towards
her companion as if for protection.
De Gomeron observed this, and laughed
under his heavy black mustache.
Madame, but there are some things
which have no price! And there is no
ransom you could name which would
tempt Adam de Gomeron to part with
his prisoners-with one of them at any
rate. You are no spy, | know; such
eyes as yours were never made to count
the strength of battalions. AS for your
friend there, we have means to make
him tell about himself to-mol w; and
you must not bruise your tender feet
by walking through the night to the
camp of monsieur-the king of France.
In a day or so, perhaps" he went on
with horrible smile, but not tonight.
~ nnl ha CT fanrn1 IN lpr
Come, taste the d'Arbois-it is from
your friends-and learn to love the poor
soldiers of the Holy league"
Saying this he attempted to pass his
arm round her waist, but, slipping from
his grasp, and her cheeks atame,
madame struck him across the face
with the back of her hand.
The rest was done in fash and de
Gomeron reeled back with bleeding
lips. 1t was in me to follow up my
blow by passing my sword through the
man, so mad was l in my fury; but
luckily for him Nicholas hung on my
arm and saved the villains life. He
righted himself at once, and passing his
hand across his mouth, spoke to me
quite coolly and collectedly, but with
livid features:
1--WE finish this outside, sir; follow
me-" and picking up his rapier, which
lay on the table, where he had thrown it
ON the entrance of the prisoners, de
Gomeron stepped out of the door. In
the excitement of the moment the men
poured after him, and | was the last to
follow. 1t came to me like lightning
that the prisoners were unguarded, and
slipping my dagger from its sheath, as
| went out, | thrust its haft into
madame's hand, and l saw that she I'M
derstood from the thanks in her eyes.
1t was but a stone throw to the
stretch of green, which extended as
level as a tennis court for hundred
PAGES or So and then sloped gently
downward towards the junction of the
Serre and the Disc. Beyond rose the
walls of La Fere, whose gray outlines,
lit up here and there by the flare of a
lamp or fire, were clearly visible in the
bright moonlight. So clear was this
light, that | could distinctly make out
the blue flowers of the patch of borage,
beyond which de Gomeron was await
ing me. When l came up found him
standing with his back to the moon.
lie had thrown off his doublet and was
in his shirt sleeves, which were rolled
up TO his elbows, and Nicholas and the
men stood a little on one side, utterly
forgetful of the prisoners, and eager as
blOOdhOunds to witness the coming
fight. 1t took but half a minute
to make myself ready, and borrowing
a poniard from Nicholas to help me to
parry, took my position. Then there
was an angry little clash and our blades
met, looking for all the world like two
thin streaks of fire in the moonlight.
| We were both sober enough now, be-
sides being in deadly earnest, and de
| Gomeron began to change tactics and
attack in his turn. At this point cloud
| obscured the moonlight, and my OPP
| ponent springing back, called ous:
Hold! hold till the cloud passes We
| cannot see"
but | can, messieurs," answered n
deep voice TO our right. ''What means
this fools work." and tall figure, the
white line of drawn sword shining in
its hand, stepped between us, coming,
as it We're, from nowhere. The cloud
passed, and the moon was again brill
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. "M. de Gomeron, you
are the senior officer here and l await
your explanation"
81 command the guards of the Due
d'Aumale," began de Gomeron, sullen-
ly, but de Rome interrupted him in the
same deep measured voice.
81 know that. Your explanation, or"
and in fierce anger, by God! you will
hang like a common thief by sunrise" !"
"A gentleman must defend his honor.
Orders or no orders, general, there are
times when one must fight. There was
a matter in connection with some pris-
orers, and was struck by NJ. d'Auriac.