The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-02-02

tnFtu ulscOruant snrlek OF maltneu
he rise, an awful cry of pain, the effect of
which those only who may have heard
IL can understand. Soon a number of
twinkling lights began to hover over
the plain. Gradually two of these Ian
thorns came closer TO me. stopped
about ten PAGES off, and when saw who
bore them l knew at once they were
death-hunters, and that in a few mo-
ments the knife of one of these ghouls
might end my suffering. There were
two of these fiends, a man and woman,
and as they halted the man stopped;
there was a choking cry for mercy, the
blow of a dagger, and a groan. The
robber busted himself in searching the
dead mans person, and, in the silence
that followed, the woman with him
threw up her head and laughed a horrid
shrill laugh.
BE still, fool" he snarled, "or you'll
laugh another way il tickle you with
my knife"
"Poufl" she said, "there is no use in
squabbling, partner. This is the sixth
we have helped to hell tonight, and not
n broad piece amongst them. Holy
Virgin! This is field of paupers-let
us begone!" and TO my joy she made as
| il to go.
"Stay, Babette! what shines theref"
and Mauginot ran forward couple of
PAGES, and bending low wrenched some
thing from body, and then stood up,
holding it to the light.
l saw his face clearly, and saw also
\, 4 n -.
of the Golden Fleece, and the blood
stained hand of the croquemort held
it up to the lantern, and clinked the
| jeweled links, whilst he feasted his eyes
on the gold and gems. Over his shoul-
ders peered the pitiless features of his
partner, and in her eyes blazed all the
bad light of avarice and murder. | al
most held my breath as watched the
eyes of the woman leave the jewel and
turn on the man with death in their
look. AS for him, he was unconscious
of the knife quivering in the nervous
fingers behind him, and he chuckied
over his find.
THAT is the collar of the Toison dor,
Babette. But l will wed you, and we
will buy an estate and settle down, and
you will be Madame de Mauginot-hey?
| That carrion there must have been n
great prince-a field of paupers-bah!
Give me more paupers like this. l am
sorry he is dead, Babette, would like
to have-Ah, mon Dieu!-you devill
you devil!" for as he babbled on, his
words were cut short by Babette's knife,
which she buried to the hilt between his
| -, 4 4. f,1l L.. 4.
and then lurched on his face stone dead.
The murderess made a snatch at the
jewel, which / saw her conceal, and
then with a mocking "Adieu, M. de
Mauginot!" to her victim, stepped over
my body and moved out of sight, swing
ing her lantern, and laughing low to
herself.
AS / watched this hideous scene, /
for the moment forgot the pain of my
hurts; but they soon began to assert
themselves in such manner that
longed for the relief that unconscious
ness would afford. So the long hours
Of the night passed, and at last 1t was
dawn once more, and morning came.
Lying with my car against the
ground, I heard the dull beat of horses
hoofs, growing louder and more dis
tinct as they approached, and in a
little time the party, whoever they
were, rode into the cornfield. For a
second my eyes were dazzled by the
reflection of the sun on the silver-plate
of their armor; but recovered myself
with an effort, and watched eagerly, in
tending 10 cry out for help as they
passed me, for my voice was too weak
to reach where they were. There were
two ladies amongst them, and all ap'
peared to be looking with much con.
cern for some one. AS they came closer
! saw it was the king himself, with
Nine. de Beaufort, and another lady
. doubtless of the court, and numerous
retinue. Henry was mounted on his
, famous bay charger; and, as he lifted
his hat and looked silently around him,
, had good opportunity of observing the
man who was without doubt the most
heroic figure of the age, and who united
, in himself the most opposite extremes
, OF character. / saw before me a spare
figure. the head covered with short
! black hair, n long hooked nose that fel
over the upper lip, and a sharp, pro
truding chin, half hidden in beart
! tinged with gray. His long curlet
| mustaches were white as snow. Unoel
his bushy eyebrows his keen, restles.
. eyes glittercd like two beads, but fol
q the moment they seemed dilated will
. a soft light. and there was an infinit,
, sadness in them as he looked round tn,
! bloody field.
81 am afraid we search in vain, ma
Z DAME" and tall cavalier mounted on
4. big bay addressed Nine. de Beaufort
!. She nodded her head to him sadly, an,
turned to the king.
. 1T is useless, sire, and can bear thi
no longer-it is too horrible-let us go.
. "You are right-this is no place 70
: you. Roquelaure will see you and you
little friend there back, and will com
TO you soon-but now | have a lette
a to write-just a few lines to Bearn.
$ The king spoke with strong southern
accent. and as he spoke leaned forwar'
I and caressed Nine. de Beaufort's hand
y The lady with Nine. de Beaufort com
ing nearer at this time, recognized m,
n unknown madame of the outposts, VIII,
+. had evidently found her way back I,
y her friends. But il was with a bite
: disappointment that l saw her in tn
e company of the duchess, and evidentl.