The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
SEEKING REFUGE.

CHAPTER XVIII.
SEEKING REFUGE.
The Journey to the plantation was a
comparatively short one, and the three
women at first found itnot so tire
some and uninteresting as they had
feared, although it was depressing to
a degree. ~ -.
\ They set out early in the morning
Through a country somewhat gloomy.
and in places covered with water.
The rain fell at intervals, but the sun
flashed warmly out between the show
ers, s6 the winter sun does in that
fckfe, April-like climate, giving them
now and then golden gleam while
they were trundled slowly along under
thH moss hung trees. !, The spacious
carriage with its easy springs and
luxurious cushions afforded ample
room for it's fair occupants to rest at
ease. .... H..
Mademoiselle de Sezannes, who had
never been much in the country and
Whose volatile spirits were easily set
to effervescing, found good deal to
interest her on the way; but Mrs.
Vernon and Pauline could not pull
their minds away from the fact that
they were once more leaving Chateau
dor for all indefinite sojourn in
lonely plantation house. Their former
experience of a country life in q re-
mote place, as they now .inyoluntarily
recalled it, did not present to their
minds it's, more pleasing associations;
but turned persistently to view those
closing incidents which weretcoupled
with the coming Of Burns and the
robbing of Vasseur. To be sure,
Pauline remembered, with; a girls
vivid faithfulness, every look, every
word, every movement of Fairfax: dur
ing those dawn-hours. Of herAoye; but
the darker things would sinsist on
taking precedence, and hher, mind
dwelt upon all that she had heard of
Pierre Rameau and his crimes, $S She
and her mother had both strenuously
objected to leaving the city, aud hav-,
ing set out under protest, they wom-,
an-like, made the whole journey in a
state of mind averse to any sentiments,
of wayfaring appreciation. ..rt%2 7
The venerable coachman, muf1od in
his broad-csped great-coat, hummed /
many negro melody in soft falsetso
voice, and between snatches grumbled
st the horses because they did not,
keep well in the rather vague road,
way. ..... IA . '
'It seems too bad, "said Madem-
oiselle de Sezannes, after she had
somewhat exhausted herself in max
ing inquiries touching the natural OBJ
jects new to her eyes as they passed
them by in the strange old forest
cit seems too bad that this dreadful
war should break up all our delight
full winter enjoyments and send us
away into exile to dream of slaughter
and all manner of dreadful evils. Isn't
it 80, Pauline?" -,
t''Do not speak of it! It rends my
heart!" spoke up Mrs. Vernon. II
shall not see moments peace, asleep
or awake, till it is all over"
"And how are We to be any safer
away out here in the woods, T should
like to know?" demanded Pauline,
with more genuine petulance than her
mother had ever before known her to
indulge. 81 know that'I should feel
better at home in the city"
"But if I were o man." exclaimed
Madernoiselle de Sezannes, struggling
her shoulders and emphasizing her
words with quick French gestures, "I
would stay at home with my family
and protect it instead Of"
"Oh, no, Mrs. Vernon interrupted.
"How could you protect them single
handed? The men are behaving hero
ically, dear"
"And what of us? What shall we
do when they have been killed? I
think it more heroic to stay with those
you love and lead them out of danger
and keep yourself alive for them than
to fight all the battles in the world
and die
If the men felt in that way dear,
the English would burn New flears
before the weeks end. 1t u Id be
unmitigated cowardice. 2 t you
know it would, dear?" 7
"I don't care! l. don, e! 30
there!" exclaimed the e7 girl,
beginning to cry. 81 W 70 back
home. Tell the coac u klrn
around. I can't 60 OF I
can'tr'
Pauline joined her f 3D.
ding tears freely. Sho, hd-
den, uncomfortable de nck
to the city. The twd y
other and nestled their
together, sobbing hyI
the carriage rolled 81