The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-07-11
CHAPTER III.
THE SPUR OF LES EscHELLEs.

49, OFSIloOhluS tue courtyard IDa[
let in the warm summer even
Ing we heard him give an order to his
men in quick, resolute voice, far diff
ferent from the low tones in which he
had spoken before, and then he and his
troop rode off at a rapid trot in the di-
rect1on, as it seemed of the Porte st.
Honore. l could hardly realize that |
was free and that De Lorgnac had re-
signed me without a struggle. All that
1 could think of was that he was gone,
and with quick gasp of relief turn
ed to my friend.
oh, madame, how can thank you?
What shall say?"
Say nothing to me, my child, but
rather thank the good God that there
was little of honor left in that man.
And now, before we start. you must
have some refreshment."
II cannot-indeed, no. l am ready
to go at once. l want to put leagues
between me and Paris
You must be guided by me now.
Denise" And as she spoke q servant
brought in some soup and a flask of
wine. Despite my protests was forced
10 swallow something, though l felt
that | was choking, yet the little from
tignac drank, not being used to wine
seemed to steady my shaking limbs and
restore my scattered faculties.
AS we put on our cloaks and demi-
masks preparatory to starting Nine
de Termes kept saying to herself: 81
cannot understand-Blaise de Lorgnac
to lend himself to a thing like this!
would have staked my life on him.
There is something behind this Child"
and she put a hand on each of my
shoulders and looked me full in the
eyes, "have you told me all? Have you
withheld nothing?"
HAS he not himself admitted what
said, madame? If that is not enough,
I will add every word of what know"
And as we stood there l detailed what
have already told, forcing myself to
go on with the story once or twice
when felt myself being unnerved and
finishing quickly: "And, madame,
was taken by storm. Indeed hardly
know even if this is not some frightful
dream"
"Would it were so,' she said, and
added: "Den1se, l believe every word
you say, and yet there is something be-
hind De Lorgnac's action. know him
well. He would never lend himself to
be the tool of others. Once, however,
at Perigueux you will be safe with the
vicomte and myself, and it will be a
long arm that would drag you thence
ch Of fhof Of hn nj
But Catherine owes much to De
Termes. And now let us start"
What was. my surprise when we
reached the courtyard to hear my maid
Mousette's voice, and l saw her perch
ed on little nag, already engaged in
Irritation with one of the men. When
/ spoke to her, she pressed her horse
forward and began hurriedly.
81 was sent here with madame's
things" she said. 81 am afraid the
valises are but hastily packed, and
much has had to be left behind, but
madame will excuse me, l know. 1t
was all so quick, and | had SO little
time.''
We were, including Nine. de Termes'
servants, who were well armed, a par
ty of about twelve, small enough to
face the danger of the road in those
unsettled days, but no thought of this
struck me, and, as for Nine. de Termes,
she would, | do believe, have brayed
the journey alone, so anxious was she
to be by the yicomtes side, for be-
tween herself and the stout old soldier
who held the lieutenancy of Perigord
there existed the deepest affection.
AS we rode down the Bourdonnais
could not help thinking to myself how
noble spirit it was that animated my
friend. Not for one moment had she
allowed her own trouble to stand in the
way of her helping me. Her husband,
whom, as l have said, she dearly loved,
was ill, perhaps dying, and yet in her
sympathy and pity for me she had let
no word drop about him except the
CHEEKY assurance of his protection
Nevertheless as we rode on she ever
kept turning toward Lalande, her
equerry, and babe him urge the lag
ging baggage animals on. Passing the
Grand Chatelet, we crossed the arms
OF the river by the Pont au Change
and the Pont st. Michel and kept
steadily down the Rue de la Harpe to-
ward the Porte ST. Martin. We gained
this not moment too soon, for as the
last of the baggage animals passed it
we heard the officer give the word to
lower the drawbridge and close the
gates. The clanking of the chains and
the creaking of the huge doors came to
mn x7ifI copnotbino of rnIinf in Thorn
for it seemed to me that l was safe
from further tyranny from the Hotel
de Scissors, at any rate for this night.
AS we passed the huge silhouette of
the Hotel de Luxembourg we heard the
bells of st. Sulpice sounding compline,
and then from behind US the solemn
notes rang out from the spires of the
city churches. Yielding to an impulse
/ could not resist, turned in my sad
T.