The Holly chieftain., 1899-01-27

II 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 knew at once they were
death-huuters, and that in few mo-
ments the knife Of one of these ghouIs
might end my suffering. There were
two of these fiends, a man and 4 woman.
and as they halted the man stopped;
there was choking cry for mercy. the
blow of q dagger. and q 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 horrid
shrill laugh.
BE still. fool" he snarled, .or you'll
laugh another way if tickle you with
my knife"
"Pouf!" she said, "there is no use in
squnbbling, partner. This is the sixth
we have helped to hell tonight. and not
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 theree"
and Mauginot ran forward couple of
PAGES, and bending low wrenched some
thing from body, and then stood up.
holding 1t to the light.
l saw his face clearly, and saw also
his prize. 1t was poor de Leyvn's collar
of the Golden Fleece. and the blood
stained hand of the croquemort held
1t up to the lantern, and clinked tie
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 I 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 chuckled
over his find.
THAT is the collar Of the Toison dor.
Babette. But 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 a
great prince-a field of paupers-bah!
Give me more paupers like this. I ar
sorry he is dead. Babette, would like
to have-Ah, mon Dieu!-you devil!
you devil!" for us he babbled on. his
words were cut short by Babette's knife.
which she buried To the hilt between. his
shoulderbladcs, and he fell o. his knees
and then lurched on his face stone dead.
The murderess made a snatch Mt the
jewel, which l sa,w her conceal, and
then with mocking "Adieu, NJ. de
Mauginot!" tp 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 IL was
dawn once more. and morning came.
Lying with my ear against the
ground. heard the dull beat OF horses
hoofs. growing louder and more dis
tinct as they approached, and in
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-plnse
OF their armor; but recovered myself
with an effort, and watched eagerly, in
tending to cry out for help as they
passed me, for my voice was too weak
10 reach where they were. There were
two ladies amongst them, and all ue-
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 a 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 spare
figure, the head covered with short
black hair, long hooked nose that fell
over the upper lip. and a sharp. pro-
truding chin, half hidden in a beard
tnged with gray. His long curled
mustaches were white ns snow. lInHer
his bushy eyebrows his keen. restless
eyes glittercd like two beads. but FOR
the moment they seemed dilated with
soft light. and there was an infinite
sadness in them as he looked round the
bloody field.
II am afraid we search in vain, ma.
DAME" and tall cavalier mounted on
big bay addressed Nine. de Beaufort.
She nodded her head to him sadly, and
turned to the king.
1T is useless. sire. and can bear this
NO longer-it is too horrible-let US co."
"You are right-this Is NO place for
you. Roquelaure will see you and your
little friend there back, and will come
to you soon-but now have a letter
to write--just few lines to Bearn."
The king spoke with a strong southern
accent. and as he spoke leaned forward
and caressed Nine. de Beaufort's hand.
The lady with Nine. de Beaufort COM
ing nearer at this time, recognized my
unknown madame of the outposts, who
had evidently found her way back to
her friends. But it was with bitter
disappointment that saw her in the
company of the duchess. and evidently
In attendance on her. Madame was
nothing to me. thought. but I could
not associate her with the fallen
woman who was the mistress Of the