Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-10-10

tated. He-a Caylus. Turning to him
again, repeated my question impa-
tiently: Which shall 1t be? A mo-
ment and we shall be moving on and
it will be too late"
He laid his hand hurriedly on my
bride and began u rambling answer
Rambling as it was l gathered his
meaning. 1t was enough for me. cut
him short with one word of fiery indig-
nation and turned to Marie and spoke
quickly.
will you, then?" said.
But Marie shook his head in perplex-
lily, and answering little, said the same
So 1t happened the second time
Strange! Yet strange as it seemed,
l was not greatly surprised. Under
other circumstances L should have
been beside myself with anger at the
detection. Now | felt as ii had half
expected it, and without further words
of reproach | dropped my head and
gave 1T up. L passed again into the
stupor of endurance. The Nidame was
fight against him. We were under the
spell. When the trool, moved forward
went with them, silent and apathctic
We passed through the gate at Ca
hors. and no doubt the scene was
worthy of note; but l had only listless
eye for it-much such an eye as a man
about to be broken on the wheel must
have for that curious instrument sup
posing him never to have seen ii be-
fore. The whole population had como
out to line the streets through which
we rode. and stood gazing. With scarce
~ yelled looks of apprehension. at The
procession of troopers and the stern
face of the new governor.
We dismounted passively iii the court
yard of the castle, and We're for going
In together, when Bure interviewed. M
de Pavannes,' he said. pushing rather
rudely between us. will sup alone to-
night. For YOU, gentlemen, this way,
if you please.
l went without remonstrance. What
Was the use? was conscious that the
vidame from the top of the stairs lead
ing to the grand entrance was watch
ing us With a woltish glare in his eyes
l went quietly. But | heard Croisette
urging something with passionate en-
ergy.
We We're led through low doorway
to a room on the ground floor; Il place
very like u cell Here we took our
meal In silence. When it was over
flung myself on one of the beds pre-
pared for us, shrinking from my com
panions rather in misery than in re-
sentiment.
No explanation had passed between
US Still l knew that the other two
from time to time eyed me doubtfully.
l fe!gncd therefore TO be asleep, but l
heard Bure enter to bid us good night
and see that we had not escaped. And
l was conscious too of the question
Croisette put to him: Does Nj. de Pa
vannes lie alone tonight, Eurc9"
Not entirely" the captain answered,
with gloomy meaning. Indeed he
seemed in bad spirits himself or tired.
The vidame is anxious for his souls
welfare, and sends a priest to him.
They sprang to their feet at that.
But the light and its bearer, who so far
recovered himself as To chuckle at his
masters pious thought, had disap-
pcared. They We're left to pace the
room and rcproach themselves and
curse the vidane in an agony of late
repentance. Not even Marie could find
a loophole of escape from here. The
door was double locked; the windows
so barred that & cat could scarcely pass
through them; the walls We're of solid
masonry.
Meanwhile lay and feigncd to sleep,
and lay feigning through long, long
hours; though my heart, like theirs,
throbbcd i'm response to the dull ham
mering that presently began Without.
and not far from us. and lasted until
daybreak. From our windows, set low
and facing the WALL we could see moth
ing. but we could guess What the noise
meant the dull, earthly thuds when
posts We're set in the ground. the brisk,
wooden Gathering when one plank was
laid to another. We could not see III.
progress of the work. or hear the
voices of the workmen, or catch the
glare of their lights. But we knew
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