Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-05-11
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
All day he and Marie watched beside
her SO quietly did he adapt himself to
the strange post that not even among
the little household did it awaken sur
prise. Doubtless 1t was some old friend
of madame's, and he had brought her
Jews of her fathers death.
Florence's condition gave him great
nneasiness. She was wholly conscious
but sat staring before her with wide
open eyes into vacancy, neither speak
ing nor moving. In vain he tried to
rouse her.
Toward evening he summoned a
physician. The latter instantly ad.
ministered a powerful anodyne.
six hours more of such a strain"
he said, might result in hopeless in
sanity
At noon the next day he came again.
Harry Arkwright was already at his
post.
"She is better?' he asked, anxiously.
"Yes, better; but her mind must be
distracted. Where is monsieur
Monsieur Geryase Is put of town."
"Ah, yes" assented the physicians;
81 remember reading in yesterdays
journal that he was spending a few
days at the country seat of the young
Countess d'Aubigny-"
"Hush!" interrupted Arkwright.
casting an anxious glance toward the
couch; but, If Florence had heard the
words. nc change betrayed it in the
beautiful, rigid features-only n little
later, when the physician had depart
Ell, she softly called Marie.
"Send everyone away. Marie I
am quiet. / want to sleep, and there
must be no one in the house. Send the
servant out, and ask Mr.. Arkwright to
go, too. l will see him later in the
day"
When the girl returned from the err
rand on which she had dispatched her,
she found her mistress sitting half up
on the lounge.
II want you to dress me quickly,
Marie, and give me my plainest dress.
l must go out Immediately"
But, madame, you cannot 60" re-
mOnstrated Marie, you are not able.
Madame has been and is still very ILL.,"
1T matters not; l must go at once-
at once, do you hear? We are losing
time, and every moment is precious to
mel"
Half an hour later, Florence Gervase.
unattended, found herself alone upon
the broad avenue where was situated
the house she had SO long called home.
Marie's prayer TO accompany her, she
had refused. She had in her mind one
definite purpose, and it must be ac-
complished alone.
Reckoning to the driver Of an empty
carriage, she sprang in and gave direc-
| tons to be driven to a distant railway
| station.
Leaning her head back against the
cushions and closing her eyes, she paid
no further heed until the carriage STOP
ped; then, passing the man the first
coin she found in her purse, regardless
of his blank look of amazement at it's
value, she entered the station, to find
she must wait there an hour before a
train left for the place she wished to
make her destination.
Quietly she took her seat in the com
fortress waiting room, and seemed to
again sink into q sort of lethargy, from
which she was reused with a start by
the hustle OF passengers hurrying from
their places in the train.
Mechanically she followed them,
many curious glances following the
beautiful oma who was SO oblivious
to all about her.
The first-class carriage which she
entered al empty. The guard closed
and locked the door, and the train
moved off.
Two hours later slc stepped out al. a
little. quiet wdyside stopping place.
One carriage stood near.
you know the Countess d'Aubig-
ny's placer she said.
The man smiled. and answered yes,
respectfully touching his hat.
1t was not often he drove such a fare
to such a destination. Generally the
countess W carriage met her guests.
But .he season was late now, and the
chateau was almost deserted. 1t was
but a within OF the to run
down here from time to time.
1t had grown quite dark when the
lodge was reached. She babe the driy-
er stop outside the gates, and entered
them on foot. A powdered turnkey, in
gorgeous livery, answered her peal at
the bell.
Madame In comtesse, is she at
home?" she asked.
The man stared in undisguised amaze
ut the beautiful woman who came ON
foot to the chateau of the countess
nlone and unattended. and yet adj
dressed him with the imperious man.
ner of a princess. He hesitated q mo-
nlent In uncertainty.
MADAME Dimes" he said. stammer-
ingly. Unless important, she would
not wish to be disturbed"
But as he spoke Flornece stepped