Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-19

AY, AUGUST 10, 100;
hurry onward, yet never for one mo-
Nent did she lose the sweetness Of her
temper or falter in her kindness toward
me. No mishap of any kind befell us
but at the ford Of the Gartempe there
at last came good news that brought
the glad tears to madame's eyes and
the color once more to her cheeks, for
here courier met us, riding with a
red spur. to say that the vicomte was
out of danger and striding hour by
hour toward recovery. The courier
further said, in answer to our ques-
tons. that the messenger whom Nine.
| de Termes had sent on in advance to
announce her coming had never arriv-
| ed, and he himself was more than sur
| priscd at meeting us, believing madame
to be yet at Paris. No doubt the poor
man who had been sent OH in advance
had met with i'll. and we thanked God
for the lucky chance that had put us
ger and also that it was not with us as
with our man. for he had doubtless
been killed. and indeed he was never
seen again. Back we sent the courier
with a spare horse to announce our
speedy coming, and it was Il gay and
| Joyous party that splashed through the
| sparkling waters of the Gartempe.
| Even I for the moment forgot every
thing with the glad tidings that had
come like the larks song in the morn-
Ing to cheer my friends heart, and for
a brief space forgot De Lorgnac and
my bonds and was once more Denise
de Mieux, as needless and light hearted
as youth. high spirits and health could
make me.
1t was decided to push on to Amba.
zac at any cost by that evening. The
news we had heard seemed to tighten
| even the loads of the pack animals
and we soon left the silver thread Of
the river behind us and entered the
| outskirts of the Viennois. AS for me, |
| do not know how 1t was, but | was, as
have said. in the widest of spirits.
and nothing could content me but the
most rapid motion. At one time urged
my horse far in advance Of the party,
at another circled round and round
them or Jagged behind till they were
| all but out Of sight and then caught
them up at the full speed of my beast.
and all this despite Lalande's grum'
| bling that the horse would be worn
out. He spoke truly enough. but |
was in one of those moods that can
brook no control and went my own
way. | was destined, however. to be
brought back sharply to the past from
which for the moment | had escaped
| AS we reached the wooded hills Of Les
Eschelles | had allowed the party to
20 well in advance of me and. stopping
for moment. dismounted near spring
from which little brook, hedged in on
each side with ferns. babbled noisily
| off along the hillside. To me, who. aft
er all, loved the fresh, sweet country.
| the scene was enchanting. The road
wound half way up the side Of the
| spur, and the rough hillside, with its
beech forests, among the leaves OF
which twined the enchanter's night
shade. swept downward in bold curves
into q wild moorand covered with pur-
pie heather and golden broom. The
sheer rock above me was gay with
| pink mallow, and the crimson OF the
cranesbill flashed here and there. while
the swish Of the bracken in the breeze
was pleasant to my ears Overhead
between me and the absolute blue Of
the sky, was q yellow lacework Of birch
leaves, and q wild rose thick with Its
snowy bloom scrambled along the face
of the rock just above the spring. 1t
was to gather bouquet Of these flow.
ers for madame that had halted and
dismounted. The task was more diff
| fcult than l imagined, and while
was wrestling with 1t heard the full.
rich baritone of mans voice singing
out into the morning, and the next mo.
ment the singer turned the corner of
bluff a few yards from me, and Raoul
de Clermont was before me. He stop
ped short in his song with an exclama.
ton and, lifting his plumed hat, said
In astonishment:
"You, madelsoiselle! Pardon-Mme.
de Lorgnac! Where In the world have
you dropped from, or, say. are you the
genius Of this spot" And his laugh
ing eyes looked me full in the face.
stood with my flowers in my hand.
inwardly trembling, but outwardly
calm.
1T Is rather for me to ask where In
the world you have sprung from, mon,
sieur. 1t Is not fair to startle people
| like this"
81 ask your pardon once more. AS II
| happens. | am travelling on business
and pleasure combined. My estates of
| Clcrmont- Ferrand lie but Il short way
from here. as you perhaps know: but
let me help you to add to those flowers
| YOU have gathered" And he spranr
from his horse.
mo, thank you. NJ. de Clermont." !
answered hastily. 81 must hurry on
lest Nine de Termes. with whom ! am
travelling, should think am lost"
$50 1t is NJ. de Clermoni now. is It;
It will be stiff NJ. de Marquis soon.'
And my heart began to beat though ]
said nothing, and he went on. For old
sake's sake let me gather that cluster
yonder for you. and then NJ. de Cler-
mont will take you to madame"
With a touch of his poniard he cut
the flowers and handed them to me,
breaking one as he did and fastening 1t
into the flap of his po1rpoint. So quiet
and masterful was his manner that
did nothing to resist. and then. putting
me on my horse. he mounted himself.
saying. with that joyous laugh Of his:
"Now. fair lady. let us hasten on
ward to Nine. de Termes. | need pro
lection too. fear my knaves have
Jagged far behind"
CHAPTER Nv.