The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-01-20
The mention of the league stirred her

with a 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 Lord! The Holy
league! Ha! ha! There is no Holy
league. 1t died at Ivry." Here de
Gomeron cut in with his quick, stern
voice: BE silent, sir! or else gag
will stop your tongue" and then with
bow, Madame, it goes to my heart to
detain you; but war is war, and we have
no option. Will you not be seated? All
that this poor hut affords is yours" and
he bent low again, perhaps to hide the
expression in his eyes.
She made no effort to take the chair
he offered, but burst out passionately:
Monsieur, see you command here,
and it is to you to whom must appeal.
Monsieur. l give you my word of honor
we arc no spies. The rules of war allow
the ransom of prisoners. and anything
you name will be paid. Monsieur, pray
you let us 60"
AS she finished her appeal madame
turned towards the captain with ges-
ture of entreaty; but in this movement
she saw that in his voice and manner
which paled her cheeks to marble, and
she made a half-irresolute step towards
her companion as if for protection.
Dc Gomeron observed this, and laughed
under his heavy black mustache.
Madame, but there are some things
which have no price! And there is no
ransom you could name which would
tempt Adam de Gomeron to part with
his pr1soners-with one of them at any
rate. You are no spy, know; such
eyes as yours were never made to count
the strength of battalions. AS for your
friend there, we have means to make
him tell about himself tomorrow; and
you must not bruise your tender feet
by walking through the night to the
camp of monsieur-the king of France.
In day or so. perhaps" he went on
with horrible smile, but not tonight.
Comet" and he stepped up to her.
"Come, taste the d'Arbois-it is from
your friends-and learn to love the poor
soldiers of the Holy league"
Saying this he attempted to pass his
arm round her waist, but, slipping from
his grasp, and her cheeks afiame.
madame struck him across the face
with the back Of her hand.
The rest was done in a flash, and de
Gomeron reeled back with bleeding
lips. 1t was in me to follow up my
blow by passing my sword through the
man. SO mad was 1 in my fury; but
luckily for him Nicholas hung on my
arm and saved the villains life. He
righted himself at once, and passing his
hand across his mouth, spoke to me
quite coolly and collectedly, but with
livid features:
I'VE finish this outside, sir; follow
me-" and picking up his rapier, which
lay on the table, where he had thrown it
on the entrance of the prisoners, de
Gomeron stepped out of the door. In
the excitement of the moment the men
poured after him, and was the last to
follow. 1t came to me like lightning
that the prisoners were unguarded. and
slipping my dagger from its sheath, as
l went out, l thrust it's haft into
madame's hand, and saw that she un-
derstood from the thanks in her eyes.
It was but stone throw to the
stretch of green, which extended as
level as a tennis court for a hundred
PAGES or so. and then sloped gently
downward towards the junction of the
Serre and the Disc. Beyond rose the
walls of La Fere. whose gray outlines,
lit up here and there by the flare of a
lamp or fire. were clearly visible in the
bright moonlight. So clear was this
light, that l could distinctly make out
the blue flowers of the patch of borage,
/ beyond which de Gomeron was await
ing me. When l came up found him
| standing with his back to the moon
| He had thrown off his doublet and was
| in his shirt sleeves, which were rolled
up to his elbows, and Nicholas and the
men stood little on one side, utterly
forgetful of the prisoners. and eager as
blOodhounds to witness the coming
| fight. It took but half q minute
to make myself ready. and borrowing
a poniard from Nicholas to help me te
parry. l took my position. Then there
was an angry little clash and our blades
met. looking for all the world like two
thin streaks of fire in the moonlight
We were both sober enough now, be
sides being in deadly earnest, and dc
Gomeron began to change tactics and
attack in his turn. At this point clouG
obscured the moonlight. and my oP
ponent. springing back. called out:
Hold! hold till the cloud passesi w,
cannot see."
but can. messieurs," answered ,
deep voice to our right. ~What Taean,