Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-19

had to cross this space ere I came
to 1t.
Holding on to the patchwork, Slip
ped the moose from the griffin's head
and then slowly and carefully made
my perilous way to the window, the
rope clutched in one hand and getting
as much support as l could from the
cracks between the bricks, where the
cement had loosened and fallen away.
When, afterward, looked Mt what
had done, my blood ran cold at the very
idea of 1t, but now went without fear,
without single thought of anything
but those whom l was striving to save.
And, yes, those whose horses l had
heard-I heard them again now clear
and distinct. I was not moment too
soon. boldly stood on the ledge and
looked in Mt the window. 1t was a
large room, and she, my queen, was
| sitting at the table. Her hood had fall
en- back, showing the pale, clear cut
outlines Of her face, and her eyes were
full Of tears. Condo stood by her,
speaking earnestly, pleading MS If for
his life, and If ever there was love in
a mans face 1t shone on his. Oh, it
was mad thing to do, but she was a
child, not 10, and he but five and TWEEN
ty.
So earnestly were they talking that
they did not hear me, though l stood
boldly at the window. and 1t was only
when had sprung lightly into the
room that they became aware of my
| presence. Mary rose to her feet with a
cry, and her hands went up to her face,
but Condo sprang at me without a
word. l seized his wrists like wise
and said in n voice cracked with emo
| ton:
you are betrayed! There is only one
chance-come with mel"
The fool struggled still, and. prince of
the blood though he was, cursed him
to his face.
"Will you lose all? Hark!" And the
blare of trumpet from the street came
to us with discordant echoes.
he understood now, but his presence
Of mind had left him
my Godw he cried. "What can dc
to save your And he turned to Mary
To give him his due, he thought but Of
her, and he rushed to her side, where
she stood staring at US. with a white
face and large, frightened eyes.
The door Of the room was open. AS
I ran to 1t heard a battering below.
"'Tis the kingp' cried. Quick!
To the window!"
His senses were coming back to him,
and he half dragged and half carried
Mary to the window. closed and
locked the heavy oaken door and, turn
ing, saw Condo handling the rope I had
thrown on the floor at my entrance. He
had grasped at the chance Of escape.
But would take no risk Of failure.
was by his side In moment and
snatched the halter from hts hands.
PUT out the light" said, and as he
did so ran moose round the pillar Of
the balustrade across the window and
dropped the rope outside. Then, turn
Ing to Condo, said, Descend and hold
the rope taut below" The words were
scarce out of my mouth>when we heard
the dull report Of an arquebus.
They have blown in the lock!
Quick|.
But he needed no bidding. He was
not good ut climbing. but somehow he
managed 1t, and felt the rope tighten.
He was safe below.
"Mademoiselle," I said, turning to
Mary. l pretended not to know her,
but she shrank back.
y cannot! I cannot! Let them
comet" And her words were followed
by o crash. hoarse shout and the
sound of many feet. Then did what
have never done to woman before or
after. The strength of ten possessed
me- took her in my arms like child
and, holding her round the walst wit6
one hand, began the descent. She
seemed to recover herself as I got out
Of the window and clung On to the
rope as we'll as I. else / had never sue.
ceeded. But we completed the descent
as we heard them hammerlng at the
door, and a voice-it was the kings
called out:
AN arQuebus, an arQuebusW
Along the waterway on the roof Of
the store we ran like hares, Pompon
leading, d8d we had Just gained the
stable and had put out the light when
we heard the door OF the room from
which we had escaped being forced IN.
They would see the rope, / knew, and
we were still not safe whispered
hastily to Condo:
Take the horse and ride for your
lie! Go BY the Porte st. Honore"
he was himself again, for the Bour-
bons never had the poltroon fever.
he drew the girths. bent down and
kissed Mary's hand and mounted in
the stable. AS held tho door open
for him he turned to me. sayings
Monsieur. swear
But the hot anger blazed within me
at tho man who could risk O wonsan'a
feir fame as he had done-at the man
who had broken his word to hiS friend.
"Ride! said. Waste no time in
VOWS. IT'S only prince who thinks
DO can break his word without dis
honor And following my words came
yal!e and shouts from the window.
They had found the rope.
Condo made no answer, but bent his
ne0o ana gave Cartouche the spur, and
we heard him clatter down the street,
and I caught Mary's hand, and we ran
out together. took her northward,
through passage and alley, until I felt
her falter, and then stopped, for she
was breathless and almost faint1ng.
But we We're safe. No one would rec
ognize a queen in the slight, gray clad
figure that chung to TESTERS arm as
the two. followed by small brown
ape, picked their way along the mar
row pavement Of the Rue st. Sauveur.
It was then that she spoke for the
first time, and as she did SO she with
drew her hand from my arm.
isis he safe. do you think, mon
aieur3
"Monseigneur is by now free Of the
Porto St Honore," replied. still CIV
Ing no sign that knew her, but tho
Ice was broken now, and she went on;