Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-04
CHAPTER VI.


GREEN AS A JADE CUP"
We passed the lacework of trees that
bordered the skirts of the forest, Nicho-
las and I. On our left we could hear the
drumming of horses hoofs growing
fainter and more faint, as Jacques rode
through the night to Rouvres. Marie's
wailing came to us from behind, and
Nicholas, who was walking doggedly
along by the neck of my horse, stopped
short suddenly and looked back. Turn
ing in my saddle looked back too, and
there she was, in shadowy outline, at
the ruined gates of the inn, and again
her sobbing cry came to us.
We turned sharply, behind the silent
ly waving arms of hedge of hornbeam,
and 1t was 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 frayed
cloak over his head, as If to shut out
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 a 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 fat buck
has dropped here to your arquebus On
moonlight nights such as this"
Zone does not learn the forest for
nothing NJ. lie Chevalier, but the bucks
fell lawfully enough. My grandfather
came here as huntsman to Nine. Diane,
my father succeeded him. and I had
followed my father but for the war"
Sand smart soldier you made. I
remember that when 1 cut you down
from nasty position had not time
then to hear how you came in such
plight. How was itq Tell me the truth"
II have almost forgotten how to do
so. I will try, however, and make 1T
short. When M. lie Marquis bore you off
after the duel and the escape of the
prisoners, Capt. de Gomeron turned on
me, and, damning me from head to toe,
swore he would fay me to ribbons.
Feeling sure he would do so, and care
less of the consequences, / answered
back-with the result you know.
Marked as was, it was useless to seek
employment anywhere, and then be-
came what ] am, and will end on the
wheel"
II don't think So" l said, but he in
terruptedl:
cat any rate, not before have paid
my debt, and the bill presses"
had purposely worked up to this.
''see here, sergeant" said, mo non.
sense. Brush off that bee that you
have on your head. You are here to-day
to attend to my business, not your own.
You say you are sick Of your present
life. Well, have means to give you
another chance, and will do so; but I
repeat again, mo nonsense'-you under
stand?"
He stood silently for moment, look
Ing this way and that. We were within
Q yard or SO of the forest, and its shad-
ow covered him, all but his face, which
was turned to me, drawn and white.
He was struggling against old habits OF
absolute obedience, and they won. y
understand, NJ. lie Chevalier."
Every well, then, go on, and remem.
Der what have said."
Returned and stepped forward, "Thil
way, and mind the branches overhead"
and we entered the forest, my horse
leaping a low ditch that separated 1t
from the grass land. We took q soft
turf-covered path, overhung by branch.
es, and went on for about 80 PAGES be.
fore coming to a halt, which we did In
Q ANAL. irregular patch of trees that la1
In the full flood of the moonlight. IL
the darkness beyond heard the gentle
murmur of a small spring, and then tn,
distinct movement of heavy body ant
the clink of iron. My hand reached t.
my holster in a flash, but Nicholas saw
the gesture, and said: "It is the horse
A moment, monsieur" and lifting vi
the curtain of leaves beside him, from
which as he did so the dew fell in {
soft shower, he diyed into the thicket, t
reappear again leading the long blacl
length of his horse. It struck me a
once that the beast was of uncommon
size, and this and the white star on it!
forehead brought to my mind the recol
lection Of De Rone's great Englisl
charger, Couronne.
| "Harpibleu!" l burst out, "you seen
| to be in the lowest water, and here 20,
have horse worth hundred pistole
at the least!"
"Did you see her by daylight, mon
sieur, you would know that twice hun
dred pistoles would not purchase her
Do you not know her, NJ. lie Chevalier
This Is Couronne, NJ. de Rone's charger.
"Couronnel thought so. And hoy
the devil do you come by herr"
Her reins were in the wind when
caught her, a fair prize of war, and M
de Rome will never need her more. Sine
got her she has saved me twice, and
I can help it we shall never part"
He stroked the mares sleek neck, we
and glistening with the dew, and, quick
ly mounting, swung her round to tn
bit and laid her beside me. It was no
the time for talk, and we drew out of tn
clearing in single file, and, after forcin
our way through the wet and shinin
leaves around us, found bride patti
Along this my guide went at trot.
Nicholas suddenly pulled up and hel
out warning hand.
. "What is it?" asked, in low tone.
"Hist!" he said, and then in rapi
whisper: "Another 80 yards and W
come to the open. Anet lies before us
|, and the rest of the way must be don