The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-05
Temenber I very wen, Jacaneg,o he

answered. Ne
Inc count stepped forward.
MY friend, suppose you were TO shnt
your eyes for the space of half an bonr
and unclose them at the end of that tima
to had yourself richer by Thousand
ifancs, OF TWO OF three times that sum,
perhaps?' S>-'
1T would be very pleasant thing
monsieur"
otfer you that sum in return for a
certain favor which I shall ask at your
hands" :,
Name the favor and it is yours, mon
sieur.'' '''N'
desire the use Of the keys which un-
lock the doors of these cells, and Won
will show me those in which you have
prisoners confined"
1t is bargain. Follow me, monsieur.
80 this is your business, comrade?" and
ne smiled grimiy at Jacques. ''Well, it's
all the same to me, since | shall myself
escape from this place and be able to
live like an honest man."
SO saying, he led the way from the cell,
advanced short distance along the gal
lery, and pausing before an arched door
In the wall, said, az he unlocked and
threw 1t open:
THE only other prisoner we have is in
here, monsieur"
And Louis, leaving the others outside,
entered. This cell, like that Of Jacques,
was lighted by a brazen lamp, suspended
from the ceiling. Directly beneath this
lamp stood Rose, slightly bending for
ward, with her hands clasped, and an
eager, inquiring expression Of counte-
nance, as she beheld some one entering,
and heard the words Of the guard. But
she shrank back at first, with low cry,
as the disguised count met her view. She
did not recognize him.
Rose, do not fear; it is Ir' he said.
You, Louis ?-ah, Louis! l know you
new! and weeping, amid her smiles, she
sprang forward to the arms outstretched
to receive her.
The young man trembled with emotion
with feelings that were unutterable, as
he held the light form of Rose in his EN-
brace.
@Rose, have come to make you freew
he said, tenderly, supporting her to the
door. Come with me, dear chfidv'
ITO set me free? Let us hasten, Louis.
But where is he-that wicked Gas
parde?"
"Gasparde is absent, Rose, and we
must escape ere his return. l will tell
you all when you are once in safety"
Jacques stood at the door, unable to
suppress his delight on seeing Rose
again, an durging them to hasten. Raj
monde said, briefly:
"You had better use all the speed you
can, you can scarcely get away from
here too Soon."
reward" returned Louis, at the same
time placing in the mans hand a we'll
filed purse. And now, jacques, let US
be gone"
They reached the front of the cave.
Stretched on a heap of skins, by a glow
ing fire, lay the guard, smoking a short
stemmed pipe and meditating.
michel, come with me-" said Raj
monde, briefly.
The man rose, indolently, and obeyed:
The cool, damp wind blew across their
faces as they gained the entrance. An
| involuntary exclamation Of thanksgiving
escaped from the lips of Rose and Louis
I'VE are free-free!' uttered Rose
with sweet and thrilling Solemnity: and
pausing an instant, she bowed her head
upon her clasped hands.
They parted, Jacques joining the count
and Rose, to accompany them to the cha
teau. Louis pushed on, still supporting
tenderly the young girl at his side. A
few moments passed, and they were max
ing good progress, when suddenly theil
attention was attracted by a sound o.
voices at some distance to the right anC
the family discerned forms Of person.
moving through the trees. Jacques paus
ed and listened.
ely, monsieur-fy! the men are re
turningw whispered he, suddenly.
"Rose! murmured Louis, in alarm, 1"
must save you, at least!'
"Hasten-hasten on" urged Jacques
there is hollow tree just beyond her
where Mademoiselle Rose can concea
herself"
They pressed forward silently, but the
were perceived.
"Yonder-yonder! the third tree on tn
rightw whispered Jacques, frantically
hide her. or she is lost!
| There were SHOulS DeAALu' 1AC "a 4S"AN
eight or ten of them, sent back by Gas
. parde, were approaching; they discerne
the fugitives dimly in the gathering dark
ness. and their suspicious were rousec
They commenced a pursuit. But the
pursued only the count and Jacques; 70
Louis had gently placed the form Of tn
/ half-fainting girl within the hollow tree
and instantly took an opposite dlrectio
. to lead their pursuers away from IN
! spot. The ruse succeeded; the orlganu
passed the tree.
With an irrepressible cry OF vlctorlou
low. Louis fastened on, with jacques
r their evident desire to escape increase
3 the suspicions of the approaching part!
? who now pressed close upon them "
on, still, they went; further and tur'ne
! nearer to the edge of the forest 81
the brigands gained on them. SHOTS WEI
: fred, too, but they missed their ann
monsieur Louis, we shall be taken
rttered Jacques, as he made last efol
Q for life.
2 And answering not a word the coqn
] turning, fred at one Of the men, VINO ma
]. almost laid his hand on the shoulder
n Jacoues. The brigand fell A snout
! vsn9eance was raised by the pursuer
and they rushed forward with mad mast
Lana ~