Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-21
CHAPTER XIV.
The .Maison Rouge.

Yet it CHANGED that Mistress Yvette hav
ing seen her visitor almost within reach Of
home and knowing in addition that about
that hour her fathers ledger must be be-
taking himself to keep his appointment
with Jean Cavalier. wholly unexpected
and unauthorized interview took place In
the doorway Of the westernmost tower by
the Templar's Gate of La Cavalerie.
Frances Wildwood was hurrying home.
1t was already late In the autumnal after
noon. Her father " ould be there waiting
for the cup OF tea which only she could
brew for him, or (more likely having wait
ed in vain, he would be gone out to COM
plete his surfeit CT good works." as she
irreverently called his rounds of exhorta-
lions and visItations among the poor Of
La Cavalerie.
Suddenly Pierre the wagner stood bes)-e
her. He appeared cloaked and hated from
the dark of the entry. With q certain for
getfulness of his assumed position he held
out his hand to F1ower-o the-Corn. frankly
and freely as one of her own nation might
have done.
IT have again to thank you for saving
my life" he said. Il did not venture to
trouble you yesterday morning with for
NAL visit, because / saw you had other
matters to occupy you. But now l 10!
The preservation of my life may not be
much to be thankful for. 1t is of small
value to any one but myself, but such rs
it is / am no way likely to have another
and am grateful to you for saving the one
l have. | knowthere is something stupid
in the uttering of such things, but briefly
if there Is anything in your life in which a
man can help you, think of Pierre the
wagoner.'
Il thank you," said Flower-o' -the-Corn
coldly, but in case of need to which camp
shall 1 send my messenger?
She was thinking of the suit of French
clothes wrapped up by his servant so care
fully in their coverings of rough mating.
For a reason at which she could not even
guess. the young man was overwhelmed
with confusion.
ITO which camp? Your messenger" he
queried. faltering and changing color as
he spoke.
Yes" she continued, smiling upon him
with intent, did / not understand you to
offer me such help man who means
! it may honestly give woman who needs
it?'
Indeed, said so, and l meant it, he
reiterated, thrusting his hand out with
| quick, spontaneous action.
But Flowero'-the-Corn withheld hers as
| If she had not seen.
1T is gracious of you," she said. stiff1y,
and with cold feeling about her face,
but that which did for you L would have
| done for your carter lad. And, indeed,
see not what you can ever do for me, un-
| less-(a spice of malice. perhaps trans
! mitted from Yvette Foy, shot athwart her
speech) unless perchance I should happen
to have some goods to transport betwixt
the towns of Roche-a-Bayard and Hoo!"
Maurice stood cold, stricken, faint, not
knowing what to make of the girls knowl-
| edge. Was II information or a guess?
| Clearly, at least, she did not believe that
| he was the wagner he had given himself
out to be.
Madame he replied, nevertheless, for
| he had sufficient professional readiness not
| to be taken wholly at short, 'if 1t should
| ever be my good fortune to return to my
native land, be assured that shall be hon.
| ored to do your behests, not only between
| Roche-a-Bayard and Hoo. but also between
| Hoo and Acknowledgements to the
| worlds endv'
He lifted his hat loftHy, with a carriage
| and air that Of certainty were never
| those of Pierre Dubois. He would have
gone out straightway, but something in the
girls manner held him back.
I "Stay," she said. and hesitated for a
word. II do not wish to let you go, believ-
| ing that a man like you is traitor and q
! scoundrel. Are you or are you not the
man you seem?"
| The color went wholly out Of the young
mans face. The girl was right He was
not the thing he seemed. Yet he had no
| reason for admitting her to his confidence
| (Which was now also Jean Cavaliers conf
| dence). The time had not arrived, and as
| things stood the delay might be fatal to
him.
| Flower-o' -the-Corn waited while ore
might have counted a score for him TO
! speak; then she heaved the least little sigh,