The Springfield herald., 1900-02-16

mothers knee; and I was over the
sill and dropped. 1 did not jump, as
he did; and landed plump on stout
officer who happened to rush out of
the door at that moment. He came
down with thud-but | was up and
away in the opposite direction from
the major.
Some of them were after me in a
tick of the clock. 1 felt the bullets
about my ears, as i did at Lnndy's
Lane. didn't expect to get clear.
But two of us were running and even
if 1 didn't know the lay of the land, 1
might have n chance.
1 dashed down into the thick shrubs;
/ scrambled and sank in morasses; L
heard voices here, there, which
seemed to die, which again gained
force. 1 stumbled and fell ON my
face; and then at length 1 found my
self on-a little path. j had no more
notion than baby where it might
lead. Yet at last it seemed they had
lost the trail.
am no Louisianian; 7 didn't know
at all the woodcraft of that broken
land, while VALERIE knew it all. But
to be sure, I had to go somewhere.
So / followed that path; and after a
half-hour, although heard voices and
shouts, I saw no one; and then the
path opened ON great house.
1 knew it, my friends; the house
the Comte de Maur had bought; the
plantation where brought my heart
beats to little Marie de Maur. And
then again l heard the pursuit, close
behind. knew they would have me;
while to my dismay, on looking out, I
saw the caps of some Of the jack-tars
on the road beyond.
Now the servants OF the place had
rushed out, eager and fearful. The
comte himself was shouting strange
French words from his front door. A
midshipman, hat in hand, was ap-
proaching him.
looked about; I can tell you, /
looked about. l saw how the shrub
berry grew UP close and shadowed a
house, like that of the servants quar-
ters on those plantations. L edged
up to it. and saw an open window.
Out of window ! had come; into
window 1 would go. In brief
glance saw fat negro woman stand
ing arms akimbo, looking out on the
King of England's men.
leaped in. She turned about, as
would cry out. AS an actual fact, she
did nothing of the kind. She was
quick witted, that old soul. Quickly
I explained In her dialect, half
French, half English, she saw way,
and taking some soiled linen from a
basket, motioned me in.
You may believe 1 understood.
Down 1 went into that basket, and
clean sheet was thrown over me, with
the soiled linen on top OF that.
PRESENTLY heard gruff voice. My
friend grunted as if she didn't under
stand English. She was wonderful
person, can assure you.
mot here, eh?"
A sword-point touched my shins,
and poked down there till l thought
should cry out; but didn't, as was
lucky, for the owner of the sword
moved away, and the door shut.
lay there half-smothered till 1
could stand it no longer, and then 1
stretched my head up, and the first
sight Isaw was the little mademoiselle.
wasn't prepossessing sight. I'm
agins the situation yourself.
"Monsieur the captain" said she,
with sparkling eyes.
Begging your pardon, said 1, as l
best could.
81 had no notion you were the
man Celeste hid" she said, with
laughter.
cor else you would have given me
up?" said l, much piqued. "Where
are they?"
"They have gone, taking all the
meu and my father. 1 didn't have
to use my dagger. They were very
courteous"
The dagger was little trinket at
her belt. Every lady of the city and
the countryside wore one that week,
l dare say thinking that their pretty
selves might have to fight the English.
For gossip had it there had been
toast on Admiral Cochrane's ship,
Beauty and Booty
"I will sing Yankee Doodle or the
'Marseillaise,' if 1 can get away-to
New Orleans" said I, impatient!y.
lyon must get there" said she,
SOLDERING. ''You mustl let them know.
They've taken all our men with them.
For moment she stood there re-
aecting, and then taking step nearer,
she said. You shall so back into the
basket
"Well?" said l.
And Celeste and another woman
shall carry you-as if you we're"
cold clothes,' said |.
"No, charming, brave gentle
man." SAID mademoiselle, clapping
her hands; and really it was the