The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-12

II inl)lore you to be considerctc.
too, if I have to shoot every man who
attempts to prevent mc. I'm desperate,
man, desperate! She's everything in
the world to me, and I'll die before I'll
see her suffer"
Ouinno:1 calmly placed his hands on
the others shoulders, and, looking him
in the eye, said quietly:
''Her suffering now is as nothing
compared to what it will be if you so
back to the tower. You forget now
much pain she is enduring to avoid
that very suffering. If you care for my
mistress, sir, add no weight to the. bur-
den she already carries. Remain here,
as she desires. You can be Of no serr-
ice down there implore you to be
considerate-
1t was an eloquent appeal, and it
struck home. Lorry wavered, but his
resolution would not weaken. ue ar
gued first with QuihAox, then with
himself, finally returning to the reck-
less determination to brave all and
save her from herself The soldier
begged him to listen to reason, i'm
plored him to reconsider, at last turn
ing in anger upon the stubborn Amer
lean with q torrent Of maledict1ons.
Lorry heard him through and quietly,
unsweryingly, announced that he was
ready to leave the monastery at any
time his guide cared to depart. Quin-
nox gave up in despair at this, gazing
hopelessly at the man he had sworn to
protect who insisted on placing his
head in the lions jaw. BE sat down
at the window and murmured defect
edly:
What will she say to me-what will
she say to me?"
II shall exonerate you, captain. She
can have no fault to find with your ac-
ton after I have told her how loyal
you are and how-how-well, how un-
reasonable I am" said Lorry kindly.
"You may never live to tell her this,
sir. Then what is to become Of me? I
could not look her in the face again. l
could only die"
sDon't be so faint hearted, Quinnox!'
cried Lorry, stimulated by the desire
to be with her, recognizing no obstacle
that might thWart him in the effort.
"We'll get through safe and sound,
and we'll untangle few complications
before we reach the end Of the book.
Brace up, for heavens sake, for mine,
for hers, for your own. I must get
to her before everything is lost. The
fear that she may marry Gabriel will
drive me mad if I am left here an
other night. Come! Let US prepare to
start We must notify the abbot that
am to 80. I can be ready in FIVE
minutes. Ye gods, think Of what she
may be sacrificing for me-"
Lorry soon was attired in the guard S
uniform he had worn from the tower
a month before. His pistol was in his
pocket, and the bunch Of riolets she
had sent to him that very night was
pinned defantly above his heart. Quin'
nox smiled when hc observed this BIZ
Of sentiment and grimly informed hin,
that he was committing an act pro.
hibited in Dangloss' disciplinary rules
| officers on duty were not to wear
nosegays.
"Dangloss will not see my Violets
By the way, the moon shines brightly
doesn't it,
"It is almost as light as day. OCI
trip is made extremely hazardous fol
that reason. I am sorely afraid, rash
sir. that we cannot reach the castle
unseen"
Eve must so about it boldly; that's
ALL
Has it occurred to you, sir, that you
are placing me in q terrible position:
What excuse can have, a captain o:
the guard, for Sinking about at night
with man whom I am supposed to be
trackin. to earth? Discovery viii
brand me as a traitor. I cannot deny
the charge without exposing her roya
hiShness."
.Lorry turned cold. he had not
thought CT this alarming possibility
But his ready wit came again to LIS
relief, and with bright, confident eyes
he swept away the obstacle
"If discovered, you are at once tt
proclaim me a prisoner, take the credl'
for having caught ME and claim tho
reward"
In that case YOU will not go to the
castle, but to the tower
'Not if you obey orders. The offer 0!
reward says that must be delivered
to the undersigned. You will take mt
to her and not 10 the tower"
Ouinnox smiled and threw up hi:
hands rs if unable to combat the Qulci
logic of his companion. Together the!
made their way to the prior's cell, aft
erward to the abbot's apartment. l
was barely IL o'clock, and he had no
retired. lie questioned QUinncx closely
bade Lorry farewell and blessed him
sent his bcncdiction to the princes
and ordered them conducted to tn
gates.
Ten minutes later they stood outside
the wall, the great gates having bee1
closed sharply behind them. Abov'
them hung the silvclC moon, full an'
bright, throwing its rcfulgcnt splendo
over tie mountain top with all th'
brilliancy Of day. Never before ha'
Lorry seen the moon so accursedi.
bright.
"'Gad, it is like day" he exclaimed.
''As told you, sir" agreed the other
| reproof n his voice.
We must wait until the moon Goe
I down. It won't do to risk it now Cal
, we not go somewhere to keep warn
, for an hour or so:''