Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-12

a richly-dressed lady, riding upon a white
horse with a liberal use OF whip and spur.
"Ah. dear LADY, cried one. in a humble.
whining tone, that Is by no means how you
would treat Door sons OF the church. DO
we not know your ladyship, every one?"
AYE, verify cried the lady, land so
we'll does the lady know you that she could
wager the last Louis-d'or in her pouch
that you talked very differently hve min
utes ago to the poor girl there whom you
hold your prisoner. Stand away-I would
speak to hertz
Your ladyship will allow that she is
our prisoner-of-war, and stands at her
peril amongst us till a sum is paid In ran
som to us poor menu
Il will see that the money is paid! l
know you, Joseph, and also that the
Marechal hath never gotten any good OF
you or the like Of youl"
Indeed, my lady 1 speak not for myself
said the man, but as Cornely here, the
standard carrier well remarks. what is
the wench doing so near to a noted rebel
alone and on foot?"
IF it comes to that what am I doing?"
said the other boldly Have you anything
to reflect upon me?"
The men pushed each other with the ell
bow-and at last Cornely spoke up. His
first act was to disavow Joseph.
This man Joseph hath done nothing but
speak to our hurt" he began. Inquire Of
the girl herself, / pray you. Have we done
her any harm? Or have I. who hath chiefly
spoken with her, offered anything but
kindness? She will remember me. because
I held my lantern close to my face so that
she might know me again"
"Oh have done with the eternity Of your
clack!" cried the lady, who had dis
mounted by this time, while you talk the
girl will freeze to death. II is a cold night
to die in. even with your chances of the
everlasting bonfire! Here, Cornely. since
you are so prodigal with your favors, lend
me your cloak. l know you have another
at Millau. l know, for l have seen you
staggering with it a-sundays!"
Your ladyship has been pleased to re-
mark me in it-a blue cloth made very
long, lined with crimson silk
Remarked you-yes-who would not?"
cried the lady AYE. and spoken Of it to
the marshal. too"
Your ladyship is too kind" said Cornely.
II would had 1t here that l might spread
1t at your most honored feet
THE other will do-if It be Gas 1t looks)
but a horse blanket turned inside out. Any
thing to wrap the shivering girl in out of
the. chill airs OF these Causes! And now
l1eave us. l would speak to her awhile.
There is no feRr!"
Have we your lady's word for the ram
SOM" put in Joseph, who was still spite
full at his discontinue
Word, what need you of words?' flashed
Madam la MARKETABLE, fully as brusquely.
Co., take your arms and retire behind the
rocks for a quarter Of an hour. We are
not birds of the air that we can fly. Take
your posts all about US, IL you will. l will
give no word. Who am l that l should give
words at this time o. the day to such cattle
as you?"
The men, especially those OF Joseph's
faction, withdrew, grumbling, but not dar-
ing to disobey the marechal's lady.
"At all events l shall make sure OF her
beast, and the other hath none" said Jo-
SEPT, shrewdly, leading it away and leaving
the Lady MARKETABLE in her riding habit
and furs to speak with the shivering girl,
who was by this time wrapped in Cornely's
cloak. That ornament Of the kings irregu-
lar forces was now eagerly watching from
behind a Jagged tooth OF limestone what
should be the fate of his second best cloak.
For, as he put it to all honest and fair
minded men, 1t was manifestly impossible
to take such a thing of beauty as the blue
clothed. scarlet lined promenade cloak on
such mad midnight rides as their leaders
had been taking them of late into the midst
Of the wild Camisard hills.
"Father-stand farther back, else l will
post you for a set Of eavesdroppers and
thieves and"
But whatever else the spirited lady had
to say was drowned in the noise OF the sim
ultaneous withdrawal caused by her words.
Madame la Marechale quickly threw aside
the great fur-llned hood which had hidden
her face. She undid a cloak (of which. hav-
ing been on horseback, she appeared to
wear an infinite number) and threw 1t about
Frances. Then she caught her impulsively
and affectionately about the neck and burst
into tears.
60, what must you think of me-" she
cried; you, who are ever distant and
cold, do not know what poor women have
to bear for the men they love-aye, how
they must even, for policy, appear to be
kind to others whom they loathe and dis
esteem. Forgive me, dearest Frances. l
these bad menu
And lol Before her stood, mysteriously
clear as the green aurora could make her
-Yvette Foy!
And Corn. standing in a
mist of amaEement, prersed both her hands
to her head saying, 20, God, God-I am
going out Of my mind. Let me die quicklyl'
'Tut-nonsense! Nothing OF the sort, f"
said Yvette, who was always practical
minded in all circumstances. Nov listen
to me! Forget what you have seen, or
believe that 1 did It wholly for your good!"
That l can never do" said Frances,