The Holly chieftain., 1899-01-20
CHAPTER 1.

ruined nut. wherein we were begull-
Ing the weariness of our picket duty
before La Fere, with a shake of our ell
bows, and few tiagons of wine, cap
tured from Monsieur the King of Ma
varre. as we, in our folly, called him
still.
knew little of de Gomeron, except
that he was of the Camargue, and had
followed the fortunes of d'Aumale from
Argues to lvry. from Ivry 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 CROUCH 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
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
l could barely restrnin 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 N.
de Rethelois, formerly us lively us a
cricket, had kept himself close as nun
of Port Royal behind the walls of La
Fere, and affairs were ineffaLly dull.
I 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
II was all could do to restrain myself
from finging the lees OF the wine in
my glass in his face and abiding the
result.
It was at this moment that we heard
the quick challenge Of the sentry out
side. the password as sharply answered,
and the tramp Of feet.
The same idea flashed through both
our minds-it must be the general. and
do Gomeron gave expression to the
thought.
''Corbleu! de Rome perhaps-the old
bat on the wing"
There followed q shutting Of feet, and
before a man could count two, Nicholas,
the sergeant of our picket, with q file
Of men entered the hut thrusting a
couple Of prisoners. man and q won.
An, before them.
1.-TWO birds from La Fere, my cap
tain," and Nicholns with salute to de
Gomeron pointed to his prize. I'VE
took them," he ran on, "at the ford near
the Red mill, and but for the moon they
would have gone free; spies no doubt.
The old one is ". lie Mouchard, / swear.
There il fox in every line of his face;
and as for madame there-so the old
gentleman calls her-in time warrant
she will learn to love the camp of the
Holy league" and the sergeant pushed
the lantern SO that 1t shown full on the
|ady's face. A curious light came into
de Gomeron's eyes as he looked at her,
and she shrank back at the sergeant's
words and action. whilst the old man
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,
in its fall 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.
''Messieurs!" There was a tremble
In the sweet voice, and there was light
enough to see her color come and 20.
''Messieurs! We are no spies. 1t is
true we are from La Fere, but all that
we did was to try and escape thence"
ITO the camp of the Bearnais-eh,
interrupted de Gomeron.
"To the camp of the king of France"
she flushed back at him, red spot rising
on each cheek. "Messieurs!" 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 her
and he gave tongue.
"The Holy league!" he exclaimed
with savage scorn. Madame. though
we stand delivered unto these sons Of
Belial, must speak, for my heart is
FULL. Yea! Shall my lips be sealed be-
fore the enemies of the Lordi The Holy
league! Hal hal There is no Holy
league. It died at Ivry." Here de
0omeron cut in with his quick, stern
voice: "Be silent, sirl or else gag
will stop your tongue" and then with
! bow. Madame. It goes to my heart to
dstain you; but war Il war, and we have
no option. VIII you not be seated? All
That this poor hut affords Il your" and
b bent low again, perhaps to hide the
lxpressiou in his eyes.
y me- made NO effort to take the chair
y so1Ared. hut burnt out passionately,
4onsIeur. 1 aee You command here.
md y 4 70 ycu 70 whom must appeal.
1Onaieurs ] giye you my word Of honor
- are ncsples The rules Of war allow
lhe rassem of pfisonsrs, and anything
vou name Will 81 paid. Monsieur, I pray
~ 1T - a. :
AZ she 9niehed her appeal madame
lurssd tcwsrds ~ captain Win I ees.
- e sntrsaty but a this movsmens