The Lamar register., 1902-10-22

steep path that would take them to
the beach.
He knew now that the sensation he
experienced at sight Of the English
boat had some foundation; and he was
far from being a superstitious man.
He did not intend to give up with
out one more desperate struggle;
they had torn half of his coat from his
back, and might as well finish the job.
At the same time he was fully
aware how hopelessly such battle
must be, with such tremendous odds
against him.
The descent Of the steep path had
been accomplished in safety, and now
they stood where the little wavelets
washed up on the pebbly strand; in
the daytime it was a beautiful spot,
and even in the starlight, with numer-
Gus boats drawn upon the beach, 1t
presented an attractive appearance.
This was where Jones had mar
shaled his forces and lay in wait like
L huge spider, ready TO pounce upon
his foe.
Count Icons first intimation of dan
ger was when voice called out sud
denly in French:
Make ready"
The awful clicking. as of many ham,
mers belonging to firearms being
drawn back. sounded from the dark
ness around, from behind adjacent
boats and bathing houses.
1t was SO terribly significant that
the whole of the little company came
to a sudden halt, and their blood
seemed to run cold.
Take aim!" came a second method
ical order.
Good heavens! were they to be
moved down like cattle in the sham
bles, without the chance brave men
demand of at least seeing their foes?
Count Leon, desperate fighter that
he was, could not stand this.
Perhaps the spark of chivalry with
in his nature arose in rebellion at the
idea of one SO innocent and fair as
Constance being made a victim to a
tragedy; and yet this same man was
in the act of carrying her off to be-
come his unwilling bride. The mo-
tives of Frenchmen are and always
will be pretty much of a mystery to
Anglo-Saxon intellects.
At any rate he had the good sense
to avert what threatened to be Il
tragedy by exclaiming:
Hold! do not fire! We have a
lady here!"
do you surrender. them" de-
manded the voice.
"On what terms?"
THAT you give up those you hold
The count now knew with whom he
had to deal.
There was mighty struggle in
his mind, but he realized the game
was lost, and nothing could be gained
by desperate battle, since the hour
for the Orleans prince had not yet
come.
81 agree to the terms. monsieur,
providing not one Of us is detained
he answered, steadily.
"Then 1t is settled. Release your
prisoners and disperse before We
change our minds"
"Ah! Monsieur Jones. I hope we
may meet again." he said, moodily,
thinking what pleasure it would be
should he run across the wonderful
Yankee somewhere in the Soudan.
"And do not forget Stromboloff,
monsieur, for he has sworn to be the
death of you one of these fine days"
called out the raging Cossack. who
but for Villebois' restraint would
have run madly in the direction Of
the hated voice and taken his
chances.
"Au revoir, gentlemen; call on me
when you please, and you will find
out how we do certain things over
in dear old America. You will find
me in gay Paree. Come, now. your
room is better than your company,
SO kindly make your exit"
Jones' advice was worth following !;
several of them entered a boat and
put out over the starry waters for
Sir Lionel's yacht, while the rest
scattered about the grounds under the
belief that their identity was un-
known.
So that glorious scheme of the
Orleanists fell through, and carried
with its ruins the wreck of Count
Icons private enterprise.
1t was a case of too much Jones.
OF course, Constance had flown to
her lover, anxious to condole with
him concerning his wounds, and to
assure him of her sympathy.
Then Jones and his army" ap-
peared, mastering only five souls in
all; but even five men may. when
they so desire, make an imposing dis
play of sound by repeatedly drawing
back the clicking hammers of their
weapons.
OF course. Merrick was greatly
amazed when later on he learned
what a double role Jones had been
playing; but as happiness had been
erraptad tn him auch outside events