The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-01-26
CHAPTER |.
rHE LrSTICE OE NJ. DE ROME.

hand, scattered the little spotted cubes
on TO the floor of the deserted and half
ruined hut. wherein we were beguil-
ing the WEAKNESS of our picket duty
before La Fere, with IA shake of our ell
bows, and few fagons 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 lvry 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 enough 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
could barely restrain 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 ono OF
armed peace; and, besides, time had
| to be killed, as for the past week NJ
de Rethelois, formerly as lively rs g
cricket. had kept himself close as nur
of Port Royal behind the walls of La
Fere, and affairs were ineffably dull
/ was certain, however, that we SHOULD
soon break into open quarrel, and or
this night | felt a mad anger agains
the man as he sat staring at me, ant
it was all / could do to restrain mysel
from finging the lees of the wine il
my glass in his face and abiding thu
result.
1t was at this moment that we hear'
the quick challenge of the sentry out
side, the password as sharply answered
and the tramp of feet.
The same idea flashed through botl
cur minds-it must be the general, AM
de Gomeron gave expression to tn
thought.
"Corbleu! de Rome perhaps-the oil
bat on the wing"
There followed a shuflling of feet, an
before a man could count two, Nicholas
the sergeant of our picket, with fiji
of men entered the hut, thrusting
couple of prisoners, man and won
an, before them.
1.-TWO birds from La Fere, my car
tain" and Nicholas with "A salute to d
Gomeron pointed to his prize. Nv
took them" he ran on, lat the ford nea
the Red mill, and but for the moon the
would have gone free; spies no doub
The old one is NJ. lie Mouchard, sweai
There is fox in every line of his face
and as for madame there-so the oil
gentleman calls her-in time | warran
, she will learn to love the camp of th
Holy league" and the sergeant pushe
, the lantern so that it shown full on til
lady's face. A curious light came int
de Gomeron's eyes as he looked at he
and she shrank back AT the sergeant
/, words and action, whilst the old ma
! strained at the cords that bound h
: wrists till the lines of the blue weir
7 stood out on his forehead. Madame wa
unbound; but her hood had fallen bacl
loosening in its fall mass of ehestnl
hair, and from this framework her eye
: glanced from one to another of us, ha
in fear and half in anger.
: "Messieurs!" There was tremb
in the sweet voice, and there was ligl
] enough to see her color come and g
"Messieurs! We are no spies. 1t
true we are from La Fere, but all thi
we did was to try and escape thence
ITO the camp of the BeaTnais--e
madame?" interrupted de Gomeron.
9 ITO the camp of the king of France
she flashed back at him, a red spot risir
on each cheek. "Messieurs," she wei
on, "you are gentlemen, are you no
!" You will let us go. Surely the Ho
= league wars not with women and o
O men?"
The mention of the league stirred h
companion and he gave tongue.
"The Holy league!" he eXclaim'
with savage scorn. MADAME, thoul
we stand delivered unto these sons
Belial, must speak, FOR my heart
full. Yea! Shall my lips be sealed /
fore the enemies of the Lortl The Ho
league! Ha! ha! There is no Ho
league. 1t died at Ivry." Here
!. Gomeron cut in with his quick, ste
s voice: BE silent, sir! or else n q
will stop your tongue" ard then wi
bow, MADAME, il goes to my heart
n detain you; but war is war, and we ha
: no option. viii you not be seated?
that this poor hut affords is yours, a
he bent low again, perhaps 10 hide
n expression in his eyes.
a She made no effort TO take the chi
q he offered. but burst out passionately
Monsieur, ! see you command he
and II is to you to whom must appe
Y. Monsieur. give you my word of hon
we are no spies. The rules of war ALI
the ransom of prisoners, and anythi