The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-07-18

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Our host did not answer; struggling
mis- shoulders instead, he opened the
door and ushered us into the eating
room.
Some preparations for our meal had
already been made at one end Of the
long board. At the other was seated a
mar past middle age, richly but simply
dressed. His gray hair, cut short about
| massive mead. and his grave, resolute
face, square jawed and deeply-lined.
marked him as one to whom respect
was due apart from his clothes We
bowed to him as we took our seats.
He acknowledged the salute, fixing
us moment with a penetrating
| glance; and then resumed his meat 1
| noticed that his sword and belt We're
propped against a chair at his elbow,
and a. dag, apparently loaded, lay close
] TO his hand by the candlestick. Two
lackeys waited behind his chair, wear
| ing the badge we had remarked in the
/ inn yard.
We began to talk, speaking in low
tones that we might not disturb him.
The attack on Coligny had, if true, its
| bearing on our own business. For if a
Huguenot so great and famous and en-
Joylng the kings special favor still
went in Paris in danger of his life.
what must be the risk that such an one
as PaVannes ran? We had hoped to
find the city quiet. If instead it should
be in state of turf loil Beers chances
We're so much the better: and ours
and Kits, poor Kit's-so much the
worse.
Our companion had by this time fin
lshed his supper. But he still sat at
table, and seemed to be regarding us
with some curiosity. AT length he
spoke. Are you going to Paris, young
gentlemen" he asked, his tone harsh
and high-pitched.
We answered in the affirmative. TO
morrow he questioned.
Yes we answered.; and expected
him to continue the conversation. But
instead he became silent, gazing abb
| stractedly at the table; and what with
our meal and our own talk, we had al
most forgotten him again, when, look
ing up. found him at my elbow, hold
ing out in silence small piece Of pa
| per.
I started-his face was SO grave.
But, seeing that there were half tloz-
en- guests of a nleaner sort at another
table close by, guessed that he mercy
wished to make g private comn1unica-
| ton to US, and fastened to take the
paper and read It. 1t contained a
scrawl Of four words only:
Eva chaser l'Idoe''
No more. 1 looked at him, puzzled :;
able to make nothing out of it. st.
Croix wrinkled his brow over it with
the same result. 1t was no good hand
ing 1t to Marie, however.
You do not understand" the stran-
| ger continued, as he put the scrap Of
paper back in his pouch
NO. l answered, shaking my head.
We had all risen out of respect to him,
and were standing in little group
about him.
Just 50; it is all right, then" he an
sWered, looking at us as it seemed to
me with grave good nature. "It is
nothing. Go your way. Butt have a
son yonder not much younger than you,
young gentleman And If you ha I'M
derstood should have said to you:
Do not go! There are enough sheep
for the shearer!"
He was turning away with this orac-
ular saying when Croisette touched his
sleeve. Pray can you tell us If it be
true the lad said, eagerly, that Adj
day2"
1T is true the other answered,
| turning his grave eyes on his question
er, While for q moment his stern look
| failed him. 1t is true, my boy" he
/ added, with ali air Of strange solem-
nlty. Whom the Lord loveth, he
chasteneth. And, God forgive me for
SAVING II, Whom ne would destroy, he
nrss maketn mad.
ne nad gaZsa Win peculiar favor at
Crolsstse Slfllsn lace thought; Ma
re ana l were dark and ugly by the
sioe OF the poy. But ne turned from
nm now with queer excited gesture,
humping ms gold-headed cane on the
I moor: he called his servants IN loud,
rasplng voice, and left the room in
| seeming anger, driving them before
NM the one carrying his dag, and the
other two candies.
w men came down early next morn
ing, the nfst person met was Blaise
, nnre. ~, ne - iopkea raener mercer anu
49, ~, d. ~ ~ LA.
sa .h,s So ~
,nt rasnaot en,1a T., o,i,eaz ne w ~
regard him With favor r. 10 a1Wan We so -
NE rove We sorara ~ 49, CIV .ho ~ ~,
hishlv we VS. its ~ oI+on ,tie sliof,
asIad, Mn, VIC +ba Hna,,ero+ ,.ah,a
vas, vas who had summed witb 11s T 800 =
M Mus W. na supped VIII VII. us. ror q
"Baron de Rosny" he answered
adding with sneer: "He is a careful
man. If they were all like him, with