The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-02-16

matter, and / paced mp and down, fiegina
bitter reproach at myself, and utterll at :
loss to plan out some way of escaping Aron
the difficulty in which was placed. I,=ade
up my mind that st. Armande, as will IT'LL
speak of the disguised chevalier, shoula BE-
placed in no danger, resolving that as soor
as the affair on which we were engaged wa.
over, that would send him, or rather her
with message to the cardinal, and the mes
sage was to be one that, hoped and trusted
would have the effect of making madame
cease her foolish prank had it at thi.
moment almost in my heart to be angry with
her; but could not, for the small voice tina,
kept whispering to me
"Thou art not free from blame" I wa,
not; but nothing would induce me to add
another wrong to the one had committed
That in itself was sufficient to haunt me te
the grave. and shivered as l thought OF
the abbe's words: 1T is what one carries
beyond the grave that the signor cavaliere
should think Of"
So alternately reproaching myself and
praying for aid, prayers that brought no re-
lief, l passed the night, and in the small
hours of the morning stole back into the cas-
tie. Round the fire in the great hall, the
figures of my followers were stretched, all
but one, who kept watch, but recognizing
Inc did not challenge. l passed by softly,
and entered the other room. The able had
dropped asleep over his breviary, the lamp
burning low beside him.
Rolled in a cloak, and half reclining
against saddle, ST. Armande was in pro.
found slumber. took the lamp IN my hand,
and holding it aloft, surveyed the sleeping
figure. A last hope had come to my mind
that l was mistaken, that perhaps was
jumping too quickly to conclusions. But no,
there was not doubt of it. There could
be no installing that fair face with it's deli
cate features, the straight nose, the curved
bow of the lips, half hidden under it's dis
guise, the small shapely head with it's natural
curls of short golden hair-oh l knew all
these too well. 1t was Doris d'Entrangues
without shadow of doubt, and no blind beg
gar, who CROPPED his way through lifelong
darkness, was binder than had been /
set down the lamp softly, and with sick
heart stepped back into the hall, where /
found room for myself until the morning,
which indeed it was already. With the
sunrise, l awakened from ftful sleep by
hearing Bande Nere's voice.
"What news?" 1 asked as drew the old
soldier aside.
81 have been as far as Sinigaglia, excel
lency, and all goes well. The party left
Sinigaglia the morning arrived, and fol-
lowed in their track, letting them keep well
however, l passed them. They will be here
about noon, maybe little before"
"The numbers"
Ten lances, excellency, for escort. It is
those we have to deal with. Then there are
about score of mounted servants, four
laden mules, and Monsgnore Bozardo."
''Um! That is rather strong, if the serv-
ants carry weapons"
'But they march as through a friendly
country, signore, the servants going on
ahead to prepare for monsignore's arrival.
He himself keeps close to the mules, with
one or two men, and of course the escort"
do you know who commands the escort?"
"No, excellency-I did not wish to risk
anything, and asked no questions"
"You are right, and have done we'll
here are ten crowns"
''Your excellency is generosity ITSELF"
ut is not more than you deserve. Go and
get something to eat now, and take Is much
rest as you can within the next hour"
"Excellency," and Bande Mere stepped
back to join his fellows, who surrounded him
with eager questions, and there was a
busting and buckling-to of arms and ar
mour.
When we met little later my face showed
no signs of my discovery to St. Armande, |
and whilst we breakfasted together / told
him that the time was come for which we
had been waiting.
Remember your PROMISE" he said with
an affected gayety, but his voice nearly broke /
down and saw the able glance at him with |
o deep compassion.
II will not forget" answered, "but God |
grant there may be no need to keep it."
81 should say Amen to that" he an.
swered, "only cannot"
My plans were already made, and as soon
as we had breakfasted we set forth from the
castle. The road, as have already ex-
planned, assembled abruptly short distance
from the base of the rock on which the cas-
tie was perched. Between the base of the
rock and the road was narrow but thick
belt of forest, which afforded admirable con-
cealment, and here we posted ourselves
secure from all view. The able and St. Ar
mande insisted on accompanying us, and in
order to put the chevalier from harm /
placed him little way up the rock, with
instructions to charge down as soon as he
heard my whistle, which never intended
to blow. The able took his station beside
him, saying where the chevalier was it was
his duty to be. St. Armande held out a
small hand to me as was turning away, and
l took it gently for moment in mine. The
quick impulsive movement reminded me
much of that day when madame had held the