The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-03-30
E&4EkEANEkMAN
I THE RIGHTFUL HEIR Z
ny ". r. CALDoR. T.
By NJ. T. CALDOR.


security--its rugged steepness does not
tempt idle curiosity. but we are almost
there, SO keep up your courage, my
brave Christopher"
They strobe on in silence until they
reached the Topped larch tree. Just
beyond it, in TIE steep bank OF earth
and stone, was huge rock apparently
Immortality imbedded there.
Here Bernard paused, and gave three
soft, low whistles. Instantly, as if by
magic, noiselessly and steadily, the
great rock moved away, and they pass
ed into a narrow sNbterranenan cham
Der, fee5ly lighted by hanging Ian
tern. At singular arrangement OF
chains and wheels stood the slender
figure of woman. She took away her
hands from the lever, and while the
wheels revolved the rock swung once
more to it's place.
Christopher was looking back In
open mouthed wonder, Bernard smiled
at his amazement:
1T was a mechanical genius who
contrived that, my friei.l. What say
you, in the hour Of danger, which
should you prefer, my lori Count Ger
mains fine Chateau, or this humble
cave, of whose existence he has not the
slightest Suspicion
"Parbleau!' cried Christopher, "it is
| wonderful, NJ. Jean told me a good deal
about it, but not the halfr'
The woman who had admitted them
led the way along the rocky corridor,
and opened an iron door, riveted firm
ly at the hinges III the solid stone.
Well might Christopher start at the
| elegant hall which burst upoL him.
! The walls hung with thick c. imson
cloth, the floors carpeted, and lo lnges,
| footstools, vases, with many costly as
well as useful articles scattered around,
making a scene so strange and unex-
pected he might be pardoned for look
ing about timidly, as if believing it the
work Of some enchanter's wand.
In well constructed fireplace, with
hearth of marble tiles, burned cheer
full fire of Goals. Again Bernard laugh
ed, as he saw Christopher follow what
could be seen of the flue with dubious
gaze.
NAY, nay, good Christopher, repress
your curiosity for a while, and you
shall have all explanation you desire.
Do not fear the smoke will betray us
1T is artfully contrived, and not even
the crows who have built their nests
near the outlet, guess what keeps them
so warm in the chilliest nights. Now
tell me my uncle's message, if he sent
no letter, which l expect not, since he
so much abhors the PEN"
Madame Valerie, pale, careworn
looking woman, with strong marks of
extraordinary beauty, which had faded
early, came forward with a tray bear
ing wine and cake, and as soon as his
share had been disposed of, Christie
pher began
II saw NJ Jean just four weeks ago
tonight. He came down from Paris to
see me, and arrange for this voyage.
brought the cargo to you, leaving just
enough to carry to Grenoble to elude
to use all possible vigilance and pre-
caution against especially
cautioning you and Madame Valerie
against lettering much without the
cave. He has given me orders to make
two more trips, and store away here
provisions enough to last year, if
need be. I cannot tell you all he
means NJ Jean is so outre, but / am
sure if some plan fails, this cave is to
be his dernier resort. All, I am stu
pid, the most important of all came
near forgetting. He wants you to come
up to Paris when make my next trip;
| you are to return with me, and leave
madame alone few days. All, mon
sieur, there be strange dofngs now in
Paris! While King Louis gives his
great fetes, and Marie Antoinette hangs
around her beautiful throat a necklace
every diamond OF which costs enough
to save hundreds of Frenchmen from
starvation, women gather together, in
rooms that lack the gliding anu blaze
of the palace. Mon Dieu, I know MOI
what is said or done. VI. Jean can tel
you, he is always amongst them
Bernard had listened attentively t.
every word, but now his eyes rove
dreamily to the fire, while he mutter
| ed
Eyes, yes, it is coming speedily for
ward, Poor France! your tranquil chill
dren are rising up to hurl their Owl
weapons upon the oppressors"
Christopher turned to address som
simple observation to Madame Valerie
who was looking wistfully at her SON
lowering brow.
Come, come, this will never do,
exclaimed Bernard, shaking off his rev