The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-02

well wisher and yours, S. L."
st Louis? said Mason. by heaven,
that man shall answer to me for this out
rage! Come, Selwyn, let us seek Murfel
Wluno4t delay, | will deal with mine enemy
aftsgl'
There was so much expression in Mason's
utteranee of the last word that Selwyn
gazed at him amazed On the advice OF
mason a hired conveyance was requisi-
tloned, and visit made at once to His
Lordship's house in Beverley Square.
YES my lord" said the steward, Mis-
tress Selwyn came almost as soon as you
started out tfais morn, and knowing your
you upon the Mall"
Enough! Let us go at once to the Che
valler's house at Richmond said Mason.
AZ least We shall find our man there"
Darkness had set in with vengeance by
une time the fast-driven phaeton had
reached the royal borough, and no moon
shone from above as they approached the
dreary, secluded house of Chevalier st.
Louis at East Sheen, having made their
way by slight detour. The heavy gates,
placed between strong walls, were fast
locked, and, Ignoring the belb-puM, which
hung down from its iron socket, Lord Ma
son, bidding his companion follow, 1eaped
upward and cleverly scaled the wall.
his advantageous position showed him
the house gaily lit before him, and from
the distance came the noise of merrymak-
ing. Waiting the while, his companion
stood beside him on the soddened grass.
Mason then moved boldly forward, loosen
ing his rapier in it's sheath as he went. No
sense of fear restrained the nobleman, for
he felt that his enemy had been guilty of
a cowardy action, which placed him be-
yond the pale of consideration.
The banker followed him, nervous and
trembling into the circle of light which
Thrown n
preaching this, Mason was surprised to
see the form of man partly concealed by
clump of laurel, peering cautiously from
his hiding place. The man started aggress-
lively to his feet on hearing their approach,
and faced them.
"Croach!' cried Lord Masin in astonish-
ment. What do you here?"
The man gave a cry of delight.
I've come here on THE same errand as
yourself, my lord" he cried. IT followed
the Chevalier here. I saw him enter a
closed carriage soon after leaving you, and
hearing the cry of a woman in distress
from within, says 1 to myself, all amt as
it Should be- l followed 'em here, my lord,
and if I amt mistaken, they've got some
poor girl hard and fast, and, owing the
Chevalier a grudge, l stayed on, looking for
a chance to be handy In case of emer-
gency."
At that moment a piercing cry came from
the house, and waiting to hear no more,
Mason dashed forward.
Follow me, Croach," he cried; II may
need you."
He dashed straight into the house
through the open door, with Croach and
The banker at his heels.
No servants were there to bar their prog
reas, and a few strides took Mason to the
door OF a saloon, which me burst open and
huriedly entered. A strange scene met his
gaze
Within the rnoyo u,era ON thered Soma ha II
dozen men in various stages of irtoxica-
tton. At the further end the Chevalier
stood, a thin line of blood tricklng from
his mouth Before him was Muriel, pale
but resolute, and at her side priest.
Hang you'll" st. Louis was saying with
an oath You shall marry me or you'll
live to regret 1t I have carried you here,
and none know of your whereabouts. You
Shall answer for the blow afterwards. Get
along with the ceremony Sir Priest"
And the man toyed significantly with a
long horse pistol ne held in his hand.
Mason's blood boiled, but 1t was a mo-
ment for action.
You take the girl, Selwyn," he whis-
pered "Croach and myself will attend to
The Chevaler."
An instant later he walked forward,
natched Muriel hastily to his side and
passed her to her father
BE of good courage, dearest" he cried.
With glad cry she recognized him.
A second later all was confusion A we'll
directed blow from Mason Frustrated the
Chevalier, and Croach, win worthy intel
ligence, upset THE two candelabra, plunging
the room into semi-darkness and furnish
Ing work for the profiigates II they wished
to prevent confiagration, for already
tongues of flames were darting lengthwise
across the carpet
est. Louis" cried Mason, st will settle
with you LATER" and he ran from the hall,
thrusting aside the alarmed lackeys who
tried to stop him. He reached Selwyn and
the rescued girl when they were halfway
across the lawn. threat and a naked
blade had the desired effect upon the gate
keeper, and a moment later they were safe
within the phaeton and off towards Lon
don.
Upon the journey Muriel Selwyn told her
story which showed the Chevalier in such
an odious light that all felt the disgrace Of
1t would ruin him when made known. But
the man, wise in his generation, saved
them all trouble, for on the morrow, wher
the officer of the law went to arrest him
he had already departed from France, and
was seen no more
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