Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-08-15
~ MAURICE THSMPSOrl.
CHAPTER XVIII
CONTINUED.

NOn. Il know that lurt NHhe nc
will dor cried Mademoiselle he Sc
zannes. relapsing again into hyster-
ical weeping and beginning to wiring
her hands. "Oh, please. Madame
Vernon, tell tho coachmnn 10 take rs
back We shall all be murdered this
very night"
The suggestion was infections.
Pauline caught the chill of fear, aud
Mrs. Vernon lost control Of herself at
an unguarded moment.
The carriage rumbled on through T
the forest, aud, If there had been any I
person TO hear, the voices OF the /
women crying IN discord must have 4
sounded strange indeed under the cir
cumstances.
The coachman must also have been
affected. for he urged his horses i'm
patiently and kept increasing their
speed until they were making rather
reckless dash of Il along the road
within view Of a broad grassy marsh
stretching away to a shining sheet OF
water.
Mrs. Vernon drew all the curtains
close over the windows, as soon as
she could command herself. aud be-
can 10 chide Mademoiseilc de Sc
James and Pauline for their foolish
excitement.
just then there was the sound OF
horse Calloping by in an opposite
course 20 that of the carriage. Paul
inc looked out Of the little rear win
dow. her eyes still streaming toars.
'sWhv. 1t ia Lieutenant Ballauche,'
she exclaimed "Why didn't he stop
and speak to us?'
MAIDEN oiselle de Sezannes almost
thrust her from the pane in her eager
ness 20 look ont.
1T is Il isr' she quavered. Call
to him, Stop him. Oh"
She clasped her hands and gazed
while the vigorous bounds of the
house bore the young officer farther
and father hack along the moanderinS
road between the trees. and presently
lost him behind a fringe OF bal
bushes in the distance.
"Oh. he never looked back or made
even q sign; and he must have know
usr' cried Mademoisells dc Sezannes
In n few minutes the carriage Wa
drawn up IN front of the plantation
House. which was n one-story, woode
structure set upon n high foundation
OF oak posts connected by a lattice
work OF slender boards. An orang
grove. dark and rich, stood IN ia
background. and over a squat, broa
veranda grew n closely jasmin
vine. In the distance were rows g
cabins built under the shade of IN
mense lnoss-draped live oaks.
The coachman dismounted an
opcned the carriage door for ia
ladies'. aud little Lizette, Lapin
daughter. ran out OF the house
greet them. A sharp, salt breat
from the marshes not far OF was olov
ing merrily.
Mrs. Vernon descended first, 70
lowed by NIademoiselle de Sezanne
and then Pauline precipitated herse
upon Li2ette, whose dark, pret
face was all dimples and smiles.
The SUI came out, too, as If to Gle
away with Hood of golden light d
the gloom that had attended the lit
Journey.
.sWel. weeming folks, I air Nigh
mach erbleeged ter We for this Y
ride " at We let me hev', remark
the well remembered voice of En-
Peevv. he scout. The old fellow Ia
founl a seat between the curved 81
pension springs behind the carrias
where he had ridden unobserved, a
now he stepped forth, gun IN haI
evidently satisfied with himself a
every person present.
''Ef We "a er knowed at ! 5 thar
spec ye,'d a cried more n ye q
He-he-hel Ha-ha-hal But We did
know il, did YEP" He chuokled d
grimaced comically. well, wee
ing folks" he added presently. she
dering his long ride and adjusting
otter-skin bullet-pouch and his ira
parent powder-horn, Il mus be
goin'. Ef ever / kin do ye a sarN
I'll do it. Goodbye, weeming folk
He turned about and walked aw
rs straight as an arrow and as br
as boy; but before he had gone
he looked back, stopped, appeared
reflect a moment and then called b
to them:
''Say. weeming folks. I'll tell
what: III I see any sign o British
eroun' var, Wy, I'll jes' step in
tell ye, so 5 ye kin git an skin
afore they cotch ye.
There was something honest
earnest IN the ring of his voice,
the CLEAN from his steel-blue eyes
not warm, was steadfGst and frlen
When ne was gone, Mrs. Vernon
mem5ered this and wondered why
had not thanked him for his protf
kindness; but the mention of Bri
soldiers coupled with the sugge