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

doubt secretly touched by the spur
lashed out suddenly. causing the mar
to spring back with an oath and an ex
clamation Of:
"You know me! Who the devil are
you"
To this, however, De Clermont made
no answer, but as we passed on he re
turned my whip to me, saying: II an
glad | did not have to use it. 1t would
have deprived you Of pretty toy haG
I done So"
THANK you. Who is that horrible
man? You called him by name"
eyes, La COquille. know him by
sight, though he does not know me. He
was very near being crucifed once and
escaped but by fuke. He is Il robber
thief and perhaps murderer, and
"And what"
De Clermont reached forward and
brushed Off an imaginary fly from his
horses ears.
"And has something of history.
believe he was a gentleman once ant
then went under-found his way to IN,
galleys. After that he was anything
and perhaps ought not to tell you. bul
in time he became De LOrSnacs ser
geant-his confidential man-and /;
was only his masters influence tha;
saved him from well deserved death
1t was foolish Of De Lorgnac, for the
man knew too many of his secrets ano
was getting dangerous. ! hope have
not panied you" he added gently.
Not in the least" | replied and rode
on, looking straight before NE. So this
vile criminal was once my husband :
confidential servant, was perhaps stiI
connected with him in some of his darE
designs, and then | said n bitter thing
Like master. like man. Is that not the
adage, monseur?" But as the words
escaped me | felt Il keen regret.
God help you. Denise" | heard ID,
Clermont murmur as if to himself. an,
then be turned abruptly from me an,
Joined Nine. de Termes, leaving III,
Will u DGullllS, lOl WINS A'b'
come to me with n sense of undyin"
hopeless love in them. and he was s.
brave, he seemed so true and looked Sc
handsome that my heart went out i:
pity for him. How the mind can move
In q moment there rose before inc
thoughts Of a life far different from
the one to which / was doomed. anI
with them came the grim spccters OF
the vows that bound me forever and
that | would have to keep. God hell
me! Yes, needed help. De Clermoni
was right.
We passed on, leaving the gang still
under the plane trees, and soon cani,
in view Of Ambazac. lying amid it.
setting Of waving cornlields. Here fo;
q little time we suddenly missed d.
Clermont and one Of his lIckeys. anC
both madame and | were much COZ
cerned, for the same thought struck u
both that he had Jagged behind IN,
then gone off hot foot 10 punish La Co
guile. We were about 10 turn after
him when he came in sight. followed
by his man, and caught Us up. ridln'
with free rein. He perhaps saw th,
inquiry in my look. for he said soft.
to me- 81 went back to pick up sor
venir had dropped" and his eye fc!
on the lapel Of his coat. where my ros'
was, little however. the worse fci
wear. After that he did not speak tc
me. but kept by madame and devotcc
himself to her with delicacy foI
which was grateful. for felt want
ed all my thoughts for myself.
At AmbaZac. which we reached after
a little. we found good accommodation
at large inn. although the town WIS
full. it being the fcte Of 81. Etiruuc dC
Muret. and after taking some light re
freshments madame and retired 70
our APARTMENTS to rest until the supper
hour, for we We're wearied. We supped
in the common hall. but at sma!
table. n little apart from the others. AND
De Clermoni. who sat next to me. CAV
madame an interesting account Of thu
defense Of AmJazac made by her huS
band against the Prince of Condo. l.
was while he was detailing the Incl
dents of this adventure that. with Il
great Gathering and much loud talk
ing, La Coquille and his men entered
the dining room and began to shou'
for food and drink. Most of the
people in the inn, being common coun
try folk and unarmed. made way fc'
the crew with haste. and even an a.
preston Of alarm appeared on La
lande's face, for our own servants were
but six i'm number. including the bag
gage drivers and madame's maid ane
nv own. who Of course were uscles"
and two Of our nanservants were a
the moment attending to the horses; st
that we were at 4 decided disadvan
tase, and La Coquillc was not slow 10
perceive this.
Dame" he exclaimed. looking to-
ward us, "here are my popinjay AID his
sugar plum. Look you, my good fel-
low, Join those boys there while bask
In beauty's smiles
His men crowded round our servants
with rough joking, and he. picking up
stool, placed it at our table ana held
out an immense greasy paw to me.
Shake hands, ma mignonne. Never
mind the old lady and the silk mercer.
There is no lover like brave soldier"
Madame was white with anger. |
had sprung to my feet meditating
flight, and the villains followers raised
hoarse shout: Courage, captain!
None but the brave deserve the fair"
Then De Clermont's hand was on the
mans neck, and with swing Of his
arm he sent him staggering back al
most across the room. He recovered
himself on the instant, however. for he
was q powerful man, and rushed for
ward, but stopped when he saw DE
Clermont's rapier in his hand and be-
gan to tug at his fathom of sword
His men, however, offered no assist
ance to him, contenting themselves
with breaking into loud laughter. As
for De Clermont, he was as cool and
self possessed as If he were at court
function.
"Out of thisw he said. 'Begone, else