The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-04-13
sANHN&AN4A4
I THE RIGHTFUL HEIR E
N ny T. CHLDOR.


| Nudtcdu, anu LHey are Crying lOuuly
for your blood. There is not moment
to be lost Throw some coarse screen
over these unseemly dresses, and fol
low me; | alone can save you.'
Count Beauvais had grown deadly
pale, while German reeled against the
altar like drunken man, but Count
Emile and his mother laughed scorn-
| fully.
1T is well laid plan to interrupt
this ceremony. Fool, If there is such
| danger, what can you do TO help us?''
| cried Emile. Il say let the rites pro-
| coed. Father Count Beauvais, do you
| know who it is? this fine braggadocio
who would save us all--it is the peas
| ant Hugo we drove away from Ger
main"
You choose the wrong time to talk
of peasants and MOBILES" cried Bernard
bitterly, every moment you spend in
mistalk is chance loss of your life.
Hark,'
He raised his arm to enforce atten-
ton, and for the moment commanded
silence. A loud. wild cry, tossed about
and varied as from a thousand threats.
came on with the evening breeze.
CHASTITY horror frozen upon every face
betrayed their conviction of the truth.
Mon Dieu" calculated Count Beau
yais, 1.-The youth was right Fly, En-
lie, to have the coachman to bring Out
the horses"
The coschman" repeated Bernard
bitterly, Il could not find a living soul
in the chateau; doubtless they fed the
moment You entered the chapel. Once
more, will you follow me? II you had
come at first might have insured safe
ty, now it will be race for life''
Count Beaavais looked irresolute,
but Emile exclaimed haughtily, though
his voice shook with terror:
ut is folly to think of help from
you; quick, quick, we can saddle the
horses ourselves" and he plunged des-
perately toward the stables.
Bernard turned frantically to Vio-
lante, who stood frozen beside the
altar, Must l see you sacrificed to
their stubbornness? Say, quick, Vio-
lante, will you come with me?"
Eyes, yes, Bernard, but, oh, my faith
err"
HE will not come. If | can help
him hereafter, 1t shall be done If he
is lost, his blood be on his own head"
answered Bernard, tearing away the
delicate lace flounces from the grasp
the Countess German had laid upon
them to restrain her sons bride, add
ing between his set teeth, while he
gave one glance at that cold, proud
face: stand back, madame, and let
her pass, and IL you choose, follow
yourself; much as / loathe, detest, alb
hor you, in this dire extremity I will
not refuse to preserve your life"
The countess flung him a mingled
look Of hate and scorn, and hurried
to seek the gentlemen at the stables,
while Bernard, lifting Violante in his
arms, ran swiftly into the entrance
hail. at the same time, with his own
hands, tearing off the diamond brace
let's and ornaments from her hair and
arms
Quick, quick, vioIante, it is no time
for false modesty; put on this peas
ant blouse and trousers, and knot this
tricolored scarf around your head,
while l so for powder to hide your
white skin. 1t is too late to reach the
cliff now. / will try and manage IL
for you, If you will command your
fears and keep closely by my side.
Where is Celeste? I saw her here
moment since. Poor thing, she must
have fled with all the rest
When he dashed back, instead Of the
glittering jewels and white robes of a
bride, Violante stood there in the guise
Of an humble peasant boy. The counts,
all three, rushed 10 the door.
"Violarte, Violante, where are you?
We are waiting" and seeing no one
but the despised Hugo and peasant
boy. they sped away again, while
fiercer and nearer swept on the rabbie,
and the wild cry:
Down with the aristocrats. death
to our oppressors!
Violante chung desperately to Ber-
nard's arm, and loosad up with wild.
imploring eyes into his face.
Courage, dearest, beloved one. act
brayely a little while, and you shall
gain the safety of the cliff. You know
the way. If any one in the rabble sus-
poets you, and / am prevented from
balniuu vCu Nv fou-o ~ tho ol;ff. rao oh
the great rock hey ond the larch tree
and give four blasts. Have you the
whistle? if not, here is another, and
you will be instantly admitted. Ny
mother is warned, and stands ready
for the signal
BY this time a great clamor, and
mingled yells, shrieks and impreca-