Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-23

cealed about his rags
Being released. Billy Marshall laughed
in their faces. Yes. he would accept a
horse and set forward. but at his own pace.
He was coming, but he was we'll aware
that nothing could be done without him.
So, he explained in villanious French like
the man whom the crowd had come to see
hanged he could afford to take his time.
Hanged you will be without doubt.'
cried the exasperated sergeant of the Red
House. who had been sent as an escort to
bring him in. When you get there the
marshal will be in a temper to skin you
alive and eat you without Salt!'
Set marshal to catch a Marshall!'' said
Billy oracularly, Il jaloose that a gypsy is
likely to come out Well ahead of the best
Frenchman that ever drew the breath of
lfe.
The upper part of the great military
pavilion had been cleared. a table covered
with a rich purple velvet cloth, brought
strictly under the rose, from the sacristy of
Our Lady of Milan by the complaisant cure
doyen The thing would please the marquis,
and, what would you, little holy water
and a dash of incense would fumigate any
lurking Professionalism out of the tissues of
velvet and gold
This thrown over plain deal table made
the altar before which Flower-o"- the Corn
and Jean Cavalier were to kneel Patrick
Wellweod had already taken I'D his position
behind 1t. tall, spare, his white hair falling
reverently over his black GeneYan gown
Flowero -the-Corn, with sad particulari-
ty, had spent the last days mending the
rents and holes in it.
Brilliant and distinguished the company
beyond the wont of even the headquarters
or marshal OF France, drawn by curiosity,
as well as by a desire to witness the mar
rtage of SO distinguished a Camisard (now
rallied to the service of the king) accord
ing to the rite of the Protestant Church.
A part OF the pavilion had been curtained
or, making an entrance to a smaller
marquee, and there FTower-o' -the-Corn was
waiting, with an actual Impotence than
which. according to promise, was to come
to her from the man whom for one brief
moment she had clasped in her arms and
called her husband
This Impotence however, was not of the
sort which may be supposed to distinguish
brides. Yvette did not leave her even for
moment. and followed with no little curl
osity the direction of Frances WILDWOOD s
chances.
Through the curtain which separated their
marquee from the great pavilion there came
yellowish haze of illumination
They are lighting up" said Yyette 81
had not thought it was so dark l wish the
gypsy would come. 1t is Infinitely annoy
ing.
II wish so, too,' said Flower-o'- Corn
very quietly.
You have changed your mind, then %
said Yvette. laughing. You will find your
CohhSdiu q octteT more IdltA1ul huS-
band. 1 trow. than any officer of my Lord
Marlborough's staff"
! Il have not changed my mind" said Flow
er-o -the-Corn. as you know very we'll
butt wish 1t were over and done with
You are not the first in your ctrcum-
stances who has wished as muchr'
Il am the first in my circumstances -
| said Frances Wildwood, quietly And
| hope the last also!'
But she said to herself. under her
breath. God, who knows all. will forgive!
There was a noise without. Over all arose
| the Keen. far-reaching hillman's shout, half
Coo-ee. half yodel Of the Cevenol
He has comet" cried Yvette suddenly
alert and radiant, lat lastr She was ali
In red. like maple leaf turned suddenly
| to flower by one night of autumn frost
| and in her hair nestled among the weighty
black braids, was single blossom Of the
pomegranate, the most gorgeous scarlet
God has made. Flower-o -the-C Corn was all
| In white. without color, save a couple of
| spots the size of a form which burned
steadily on her cheeks, high up, where the
hearts blood leaps up under the fine firm
skin. Her ripe-wheat hair, which had given
the gin her name rippled and swiried al
ternately. like honey In the comb or red
gold In the bar, as you may see them I'M
| loading ii from Spanish galeons at the
| Quays of Carthagena
Yes. Billy Marshall had come at last. He
| was in waiting, unshaven and unshorn, In
| front OF the pavilion-a strange pivot for
! all this splendor to turn upon. But the
bride had been firm in this, II in nOthins
else. She would not be marrfed-she would
! not go to the altar till from the hands OF
Silly Marshall. the Kirkcudbright gypsy