Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-26

chevalier--"
'"Never mind the chevalier. am as well
as ever, and there was no need of that TODD
esterday-diavolo!" and twinge in my
face brought me up sharply and recalled
Pluto's claws. put my hand to my face
and found / was still bandaged.
ut was lucky he only touched your wor-
ship"
"Luckier still your being there with your
arquebus, else st. Peter and had surely
shaken nds-there-thanks-I will sit
here for u few minutes" and sank into an
easy chair, being really weaker than
thought was, the effects more of the mar
cotic than anything else.
"Will your worship breakfast here!
"No-but before doing anything go to the
room where l was last evening and bring
me the letter you will find under the cush-
ions OF the couch there"
"Excellency!" and Jacopo left the room.
now for the first time observed bou-
quet OF red and white roses, whose fragrance
filled the chamber. had been conscious of
their perfume before, but thought the scent
den outside. Whilst was admiring the
flowers Jacopo returned.
"The letter."
carefully"
It was disappointment, but said moth
ing, having determined to see for myself. As
Jacopo assisted me to dress ! inquired to
whom was indebted for the flowers.
ri cannot say, excellency; they were here
when came this morning. Possibly the
Signor de st. Armande, who was with your
worship all night"
"All niohtW
"Signore."
could not help being touched by this
proof of devotion, and when / had dressed
went down, with the intention of finding
my letter and thanking the chevalier for his
kindness. was, saw, still little weak,
but few hours rest would make me ct for
action, and could not help thinking had
been made much over on too small an occa-
sion. st. Armande was in the room where
had left the letter, and at the first glance
saw he was haggard and worn, with dark
circles under his eyes, eyes which many .
beauty would have been proud to own. He
seemed 80 slim, so small and delicate, as he
came to meet me, that my heart began TO
nlisgive me again as to his powers to endure
the labor involved in the difficult adventure
we had before US. He was much concerned
at my having risen, made many inquiries
about my condition, and put aside my
thanks.
'Per Bacco. chevalier," said, you look
more of an invalid than /. ] fear me, i
shall have to be nurse in my turn"
ut is but touch of the megrims have;
but you must not think Of doing anything
| for week."
"Or month, or year." gibed, As
turned over the cushions of the couch, and,
in answer to st. Armande's inquiring look,
| went on: "The letter received yesterday
Il am certain left it here"
| He came forward to help me, but with
no avail.
at must have been blown away" he said.
"But put it under the cushions!"
"True-but you forget you were moved,
breakfast now, and will have Q thorough
search made afterwards"
mot yet; will but step over to the con-
vent, and inquire after the Lady Angola"
What! With bandaged facet"
at is wound" answered, coldly, and,
turning, went out of the villa. My lackey
be made ready; but, thinking the walk
| would do me good, declined. I was right
in this, the fresh air acting as tonic, and
when reached the gates of the convent all
the giddiness had passed. There, to my dis
may, heard that Angola was unable to
leave her room, thing might have expect
ed, and, sending civil message, I retraced
my steps, entering the villa by side gate,
and walking towards it through deserted
portion of the garden. went leisurely,
stopping every now and again to admire the
flowers and the trees. In one of these
rests, whilst / idly gazed about me, my eye
was arrested by number of fragments of
paper that lay on the green turf at my feet.
Yielding to an impulse could not control,
stopped and picked up one Of the pieces,
and saw in moment it was piece of An
giola's letter to me. lost no time in col
lecting the remaining bits of the paper,
and carefully placed them in my vest pocket.
II Then retraced my steps to the villa.
As we sat down to breakfast, the chevalier
explained that he had made further search
for the letter, but in vain,
II ought to have told you, said, 81 have
found it."
"Where|
In the garden-in shreds and tatters."
He became suddenly very silent, and 80
we finished our meal. All that day rest.
ed, more for the horses sake than my own,
and be sure / did not fail to make FIRE.
Quent inquiry of Angiola's condition, hear
ing each time she was better, and would
certainly see me on the morrow. Whilst
. lay resting, my mind was active. cast
| up the time had left at my disposal
still had four clear days to carry out my
mission, and to make my plans to intercept
Bozardo. But after my departure in Pc.
rugia / had need for extra care, and could
not afford to throw away an hour of the
four days that were left to me. There were
many points to think of. Bozardo would nc
doubt be strongly escorted, and if the 40,
600 ducats he had with him were in gold
they would be difficult to carry away, and
would be great temptation to my men
could answer for Jacopo and Bande Mere;
of course st. Armande was beyond suspi
, cion, my doubts of him were at rest; but
for the others? They might or might moi
yield to temptation. If they did yield, at
fairs would be serious indeed. deliber
ated long and carefully, making up my mind
to adopt the following course. Tremouill'
was but few miles from me. would sex
him, tell of the enterprise which D Amboist
had intrusted to me, and ask him to senc
troop, or some trusted men, to whom
could hand over the money in case sue
ceeded. If he could send these men on tt
Sassoferrato, l meant to ambuscade on tn
,, banks OF the Misa, make dash at Board,
there, and, if all went well, they could re
ceive the money in few hours, and reliev
me of that anxiety. OF course, Tremouill
might refuse to see me; he might even d.
worse; but would give him the chanc
and accept the risk.
). When / came to think of it, it was hard
: ly possible that he was unacquainted witt
: the cardinals design, and / could form NJ
better plan than the one had resolves
= upon. l would have to deny myself tn
4 pleasure of seeing Angola on the morrow
but the four days gave me no margin. Til
= days repose did me much good, and, afte
n supper, which we took about six O'Clock
. ordered Castor to be saddled. st. Armand
= looked surprised, but I wasted no words
!, telling him briefly that was bound o
3 3 business, and that on my return we shout
= have to make an immediate start. Irefuse
y all offer of companionship, and shortly afte
!. Castor and were galloping through tn
= glow of late sunset to the camp of Tn
"