The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-11
CHAPTER VIII.
BLAIsE DE LORGNAC.

We lost no time in setting forth from
the Golden Frog. and as Lalande had ap-
parently been warned by Norreys OF the
danger Of our meeting any OF De Cler-
mont's following We once more left what
by a stretch might cali the direct road
and again took 20 the hill tracks. where
eur wearied beasts, which from my heart
pitied, stumbled slowly and painfully
along.
But II the beasts were wearied how
was IL with myself and my maid? ! was
able to keep up no doubt because OF the
mental excitement under which labored.
but / have never understood how my
faithful Mousette endured that Journey.
1t was I'm truth road Of suffering
I simply went on mechanically, my
mind a prey 10 a thousand conflicting
emotions and TO thoughts that chased one
another across IL like dry and fallen
leaves in a forest glade blown hither and
thither by an autumn wind. IL had
struck me- as there was nothing TO be
feared from De Termes. that / should
order Laiande 10 turn and guide me back
60 madame and Perigueux, but De Cler-
mont barred the way. and IL was better
after all 10 push on To Meymac and there
with cooler head than l now possessed
decide what to do. what had l not passed
through within the last few hours? l had
made trouble enough for myself by jump
ing womanlike TO conclusions and imag-
lining that the postscript OF De Termes
letter TO his wife referred 10 me, whereas
IL clearly concerned some one else. That
was perhaps a pardonable error. con-
siderlng the circumstances, but there
were other things, and even now my face
grows hot when l think OF them.
My nature Is proud That can never
alter though sorrow and many bitter
lesson have brought me good sense. but
IL cut like a knife TO realize how l had
been fooled by De Clermont and how
near 1 had been TO fan a victim TO
pitiless nbertine IL is a bad and cruel
lesson for any woman 20 learn that she
has been the sport OF man, ten times
bad and cruel II the woman be proud and
high spirited And as for De Lorgnac
] did not know what 10 think. My mind
concerning him was a chaos. had mis-
Judged him, wronged him utterly but II
was gall TO me TO know that he had stood
forth as my champion. IL was bitterness
untold to think that I must humble my
self In my heart before him. i could
never do go I'm words 10 his face II ever
we met; a daughter of Mieux could not
do that IL was awful to think that his
hands were red with blood for my sake
and / shuddered as | reflected that / had
been as IL were the immediate cause OF
frightful death. De Lorgnac had no
business to kill that man. whoever he
was; he had no right 10 make me feel
almost murderess and withal there
rose i'm my heart a kind of fierce pride
in the man who could do this for my sake
and Joy ] could not make out because
he was other than | took him to be-
because In short ne was a gallant gen.
tleman, and not--oh / need say no more
When we had travelled for about the
space of two hours, the horse OF one of
the two troopers that NJ de Norreys In
his kindness had lent TO me fell while
crossing a water cut, and on examina-
ton II was found to be so hurt that II
was impossible for Il 10 continue the
Journey 10 Milleyranches II was decided
that the two men should be left behind
10 return to their camp-they had not
far to go-and that we should press on
as before | gave the good fellows
brace of crowns apiece, and, commenting
myself 10 NJ. de Norreys, we went on
the sheep track-I can call II by no
better name-now passing through all
the widest scenerey surrounding the
Puy dc Meymac
''If luck befriends us, madame, and
the storm which has kept or so long
does not come. we should reach Mile
vranches in a little over two hours" said
Ealande to me as we rode down a narrow
ard steep descent.
'why should the storm come on now?
There is no breath of air stirring, and
the moon Is clear"
The equerry did not reply until reaching
the more level ground at the foot OF the
incline down which we had ridden and
l4..s la
Look. madamc!"
Turning I saw that half the arc OF the
heavens was as Il were. ohscured by
thick curtain that hung heavily and sui
lenly over g. and as we looked a chain OF
fire ran across the blacl<ness, the distant
roar OF thunder came 20 MS, and then
low, deep moaning vibrated through the
air.
''The storm Is afoot. ! fear madame.
We must press on and cross the LuNege
which. though narrow enough 10 jump
over now. may I'm an hour be impassable
and with the darkness It will be impossi-
BILE 10 tell the way"
At this speech Mousetts gave q little
cry OF alarm and then, her fears over
coming her, began 10 declare that she
could go no farther and begged us to
leave her there 10 die. 20 be killed by the
storm or eaten up by wolves, II did not
matter which: either alternative was pref
pacify the poor girl. bat she was getting
into state OF hysterical excitement and
absolutely refused 10 move, though every
moment was precious and the dead still
ness formerly around Us was now awake
with the voice OF the coming storm. At
last / began 90 despair Of moving her
when Lalande said grimly: Leave her to
me- madame. I am an old married man"
Then bending forward he seized my
bride and with n cool "Adieu mademoi-
seilc. I hope you will not disagree with
the wolves" 20 Mousettc began 90 urge
our beasts forward Notwithstanding my
protests.
But the issue showed he was right
though ! confess l was surprised 10 see
the way IN which my maid recovered her
strength under this rough and ready
treatment. for IN two minutes she was
busting along az our heels But the lost
time never came 20 our hands again, and
ae W. began 90 descend the wooded slope
toward the Luxege. which we could hear
humming angrily below us. the storm
burst with a shrek OF the winds and ar