Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-29
| The COntrabandiSt; ; Esss
4 OF
/ THE
| One Life'S Secret! , ,S :;

So this is your business, comrade!" and
he smiled grimly at jacques. We'll, it's
all the same to me. since | shall myself
escape from this place and be able to
live like an honest man."
SO saying, he led the way from the cell.
advanced a short distance along the gal
lery, and pausiny before an arched door
In the wall, said, as he unlocked and
threw it open:
The only other prisoner we have is In
here, monsieur"
And Louis. leaving the others outside,
entered. This cell, like that of Jacques,
was lighted by brazen lamp, suspended
from the ceiling. Directly beneath this
lamp stood Rose, slightly bending for
ward. with her hands clasped, and an
eager, inquiring expression OF eounte-
nance. o. she beheld some one entering,
and heard the ords of the guard. But
she shrank back at first, with low cry,
as the disguised count met her Tiew. She
did not recognize him.
Rose, do not fear: it is r. he said.
You. Louis ?-ah, Louis! l know you
now" and weeping, amid her smiles, she
sprang forward to the arms outstretched
to receive her.
The young man trembled with emotion
with feelings that were unutterable, as
he held the light form OF Rose in his EN-
brace.
Rose, | have come to make you free!
he said. tenderly. supporting her to the
door. Come with me. dear child"
ITO set me free? Let us hasten, Louis.
But where is he-that wicked Gas
parde?"
"Gasparde is absent. Rose. and we
must escape ere his return. I will tell
you all when you are once in safety
Jacques stood at the door. unable TO
suppress his delight on seeing Rose
again. an durging them to hasten. Raj
monde said. briefly:
You had better use all the speed you
can. you can scarcely get away from
here too soon"
Thanks. my friend; and here is your
reward" returned Louis, at the same
time placing in the mans hand a we'll
filled purse. And now. Jacques, let Us
be gone"
They reached the front of the cave.
Stretched on heap of skins, by glow
ing fire. lay the guard. smoking a short
stemmed pipe and meditating.
Michel, come with me-" said Raj
monde, briefly,
The man rose. indoIently, and obeyed.
The cool, damp wind blew ucross their
faces as they gained the entrance. An
involunta exclamation of Thanksgiving
escaped from the lips of Rose and Louis.
1--WE are free-freen' uttered Rose.
with sweet and thrilling soIemnity: and
pausing an instant, she bowed her head
upon her clasped hands.
They par ed. Jacques joining the count
and Rose, to accompany them to the cha
teau. Louis pushed on, still supporting
tenderly the young girl at his side. A
few moments passed, aud they were max
ing good progress, when suddenly their
attention was attracted by sound OF
voices at some distance to the right and
the family dis'erned forms Of persons
moving through the trees. Jacques paus-
ed and listened.
Fly, monsieur-ny! the men are re-
turning" whispered he, suddenly
Rose" murmured Louis, IN alarm, Il
must save you. at leastr'
"Hasten-hasten onr' urged jacques:
''there is a hollow tree just beyond here
where Mademoiselle Rose can conceal
herself"
They pressed forward silently. but they
were perceived.
"Yonder-yonder. the third tree on the
right whispered Jacques, frantically:
hide her. or she is lost"
There were shouts behind; the brgands,
eight or ten of them. sent back by Gas
pa1de were approaching; they discerued
Inc fugitives dimly in the gathering dark
ness. and their suspicious were reused.
They commenced a pursuit. But they
pursued only the count and Jacques; for
Louis had gently placed the form Of the
half -fainting girl within the hollow rec.
and instantly took an opposite direction
to lead their pursuers away from the
spot. The ruse succeeded; the brigands
passed the tree.
With an irrepressible cry Of victorious
joy. Louis fastened on, with Jacques /:
their evident desire 10 escape increased
the suspicious of the approaching party,
who now pressed close upon them. On
on. still. they went; further and further,
nearer to the edge of the forest. But
the brgands gained on them. Shots were
fired. too. but they missed their aim
Monsieur Louis. we shall be taken"'
uttered Jacques, as he made last effort
for life.
And answering not word, the count,
turning, fired at one Of the men, Who had
almost laid his hand on the shoulder of
Jacques. The brigand fell. \ shout of
vengeance was raised by the pursuers,
and they rushed forward with mad haste.
My good fellow, flight is no lenger OF
use. We must yield. But she is safe"
said Louis.
Rn turned to deliver him self up: he
heard a cry of savage joy. felt heavy
blow, and then lost all consciousness.
When the young count recovered his
| faculties he found himself lying on the
stone floor of one of the cavern cells.
which was fully lighted ny the brazen
! lamp swinging from the roof How long
/ he had been here he was unable to guess;
/ but the scenes through which he had
/ passed relative to the rescue Of Rose
I dashed SO instantly aud wildly upon
+ his recollection as TO persuade him that
M very great portion % time hai elapsed
! since their occurrence. The flight. the
l concealmeut of Rose. the moment of cap
ture-all these were before hin. He
wondered only that the brigandS. euracct
] rs they, were at the injury 10 their com
I rade, hal not torn him limb from limb.
His capJors had taken care to Secur,
him beyond the possibility Of escape; 10,
/ they had fcttercd him, hand and foot
I and to these letters was attached heavy
/ chain the other end Of which was fast
/ ened to a huge ring in the wall. He Wa
in fapfivity but that captivity was sweet