Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-30

! hobuS liohi tue leFeT, anu "nile INC
wheels revolyed the rock swung once
more to its place.
Christopher was looking back in
open mouthed wonder Bernard smiled
at his amazement.
1T was mechanical genius who
c"ntrived that, my friend. What say
ID, iE the hour Of danger, which
should you prefer, my lord 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 in the solid stone.
Well might Christopher start at the
elegant hall which burst upon him.
The walls hung with thick crimson
cloth. the floors carpeted, and lounges,
footstools, vases, with many costly as
well as useful articles scattered around.
making scene so strange and unex-
pected he might be pardoned for look
Ing about timidly, as If believing it the
work OF some encharter's wand.
In well constructed fireplace, with
| hearth Of marble tiles. burned a cheer
ful fire Of Goals. Again Bernard laugh
ed, as he saw Christopher follow what
could be seen of the fue with dubious
gaze.
Nay, nay, good Christopher, repress
your curiosity Cor a while, and you
! shall have all explanation you desire
Do not fear the smoke will betray US
1t is artfully contriyed. and not even
.he crows who have built their nests
near the outlet, guess what keeps them
! so warm in the chillest nights. Now
| tell me my uncle's message. If he sent
no letter, which | 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 tray bear
ing wine and cake, and as soon as his
share had been disposed of, Christie
| pher began
Il 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
| suspicion. He said was to say to you,
| to use all possible vigilance and pre-
caution against discovery-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 a year, If
need be, / cannot tell you all he
means. NJ Jean is so outre, but I am
sure II some plan fails, this cave is to
be his dernier resort. All, l am stu
pid, the most important Of all I 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 a few days. All, mon
sieur, there be strange doings 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! know not
what is said or done. NJ. Jean can tell
you, he is always amongst them"
Bernard had listened attentively to
every word, but now his eyes rove
dreamily to the fire, while he mutter-
ed
"Yes, yes, 1t is coming speedily for
ward! Poor France! your tranquil chill
dren are rising up tc hurl their own
weapons upon the oppressors!"
Christopher turned to address some
simple observation to Madame Valerie.
who was looking wistfully at her sons
| lowering brow.
Come, come, this will never do"
| exclaimed Bernard, shaking off his rev.
cry. "The boat is still unloaded and |
am somewhat less sturdy than upon the
last assignment"
Whereupon all three returned to the
outside of the cliff, to assist in trans
| ferring the contents of the boat to the
mysterious stronghold within. Three
times the boat passed to and fro be-
| tween the sloop and the cliff, and then
/ Christopher returned to his craft. and
setting sail, pushed on further toward
Grenoble, while Bernard, drawing his
mother to his side, in the crimson
| canopied hall of rock, said tenderly:
Look not so sad, ma chere mere; il
! / leave you Ii will be only TO further
our rights, to redress our wrongs, and
the time will scarcely be as long as
that through which you have just pass
ed-while ] was at Beauvias Chateau.
Be prudent and hopeful; perchance
amid the anarchy that theratens the
land we may be restored to our
rights"
"Ah, my son, for my own sake, the
hope is Gead-but for you would fain
struggle longer in this world of misery.
Jean ia sagacious and cool, he would