Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-09

many q high lord from the south have
been visiting her. They will be tired
of dancing and singing soon. those hot
bloods. and we may have to look to the
castle walls"
"This evening. then. you must take
Inc to Lorgnac." said with view to
end the conversation.
1T is madame's order. but And
he stopped short for second and then
continued. Antoine. the peddler's
daughter. who has married Gribot, the
wooduan OF Lorgnac. has cow and
calf for sale and there is none In the
chateau"
Then bny It Of her. Pierre" And
with another low bow the old man
Withdrew with the "household." who
had evidently been trained in severe
school by Pierre for he had stood bolt
upright like Il soldier at attention and
never moved muscle during the
whole of the interview.
So my business as mistress Of Lor
gnac had begun. but there we're one or
two things that required immediate at.
.ention f.vm me before l began my
household duties. | called Mousette
and. going over the money we had
found that II reached to about 1O(
crowns. This was enough for all pres
ent requirements. though | would want
much more soon if all the designs that
were fitting through my brain, in shad,
ow, as ii We're, were carried out, but
that could be easily arranged hereafter.
Then saw Lalande and, informing
him that my journey was over, asked
if there would be any difficulty in his
remaining at Lorgnac for at least a
few days. as l wanted his help. He an
swered that he w..1 ut my service. and,
this being settled. l : t about exploring
the quaint old mansion.
In the aftern, on we visited the town.
Alas, ii had been for century but a
hamlet. and all trace of town, If ever
there was any. had long gone. But
small and poor and obscure as LOr-
gnac was, the hand of war had not
spared 1t, and blackened rafter and
fallen roof still bore witness to NJ. de
Ganache's visit PrivatiOn and want
Lad left their marks on the faces Of the
score or so Of inhabitants of the vii
lage, but when they found out who !
was they came forward eagerly. and a
small child, no doubt prompted by her
elders, gave me bouquet of wild flow
ers. | went back vowing in my heart
that ere many weeks were over all this
would be changed.
That night as l sat before the huge
log fire in the hall with Moro, the hound
i found out his name from Pierre
for the first time for many days my
mind was at rest. and began to feel
also for the first time the glow that
comes to the heart when one is able to
help ones fellow creatures. | knew !
was young and inexperienced; that my
life especially within the last year in
the poisonous air Of the court. had been
made up of frivolities and follies that
had brought their own sharp punish
ment with them, yet ! had always in
my mind the desire for nobler life,
where my wealth could be used to help
the distressed and as far as it could 20
to add to the happiness Of others. So
far, SO good; but there was my own
happiness and that Of De Lorgnac to
think Of There was great pity in
my heart for him, but was it right to
mistake pity for love and give myself
wholly to man to make him happy. to
my own sorrow? For the life Of me. /
could not see this. / felt that man
who would accept such sacrifice
would be unworthy Of it. But Blaise de
Lorgnac was not Of those who would
do this. He was true metal. Was there
another man who would have acted as
he did, whose love was so generous and
yet so strong? l doubt 1t. well knew
the profession of q mans love that
swore 1t was ready to die for its OBJ
ject, but was unable to abandon or to
forego anything in its seltishness; but
the love that was, as 1t were, in the
hollow of my hand was not as this.
And then / began to see the hidden So.
cret Of my own heart and called out
aloud, "Come back, De Lorgnac; come
backw But the echo Of the vaulted
roof was my only answer. Yet that
night slept a happy woman, for |
knew what it was now to love.
The days passed on, and, notwith-
standing that threw myself heart and
soul into my plans about Lorgnac.
there was an ever eating care in my
heart, for no tidings came Of my hus-
band. and it was not pride now. but a
shyness that | could not overcome, do
what | would, that absolutely prevent
ed me from making any inquiry,
though no doubt inquiry would have
been fruitless and vain. Listless and
tired. sat one day toward the after
noon at the window by the hall, my
favorite seat, and looked down the
winding road that clung to the side of
the steep rocks. hoping against hope
that should see the great white horse.
when suddenly spied horseman rid
ing toward the castle with loose rein.
and at times he swayed from side to
side like drunken man. In moment
felt the worst tidings and knew that
the rider was bringing me sorrow.
With an effort l reused myself and
with shaking limbs went down to the
courtyard and there, calling Lalande
and Pierre. waited for his coming who
was bringing me the evil message. ]
felt already knew. We had not long
to wait. With thunder Of hoofs the
horseman passed the lower drawbridge
and. refining in sharply, slid rather than
dismounted from his saddle. 1t was
La Coquille. covered with blood and
dust.
"NIadame-Mme. de Lorgnac" he
called out in cracked voice.
81 am here, monsieur"
81 can stay but moment. Fly! Fly!
The bloodhounds are even now on my
track, and they will be here in an
hour"
"Is that all" How my heart beat,
though my voice was cool!
GAIL? No. But give me to drink, and
1 will speak. My throat Is parched. and
have lost much blood"
Pierre handed him flagon Of wine,
which he drained at draft and then
went on.
ut will not take long to tell. Nor.
dieu! It was the best plan ever laid.
And to think 1t was spoiled by trail
tori Mnda mo if 1ye succeeded France