The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-02

Russia.
However, knew my friend the mar
ouis expected me to return defeated.
He gave me my opportunity as child
is INDUCED with dangerous play
thins-to teach it caution.
He would be in his chateau OF Pies-
s., cutting off two days posting to
I Paris. And after the first sharp pangs
of chacrin and shame at losing the for
tune he had placed in my hands, !
looked forward with impatience to our
meeting.
1--WE have nothing, Skenedonk,' I
exclaimed the first time there was oc,
casion for money on the road. "How
have you been able to post? The mon
ey and the jewel case are gone
eve have two bags Of money and the
snufbox," said the Oneida. Il hid
them in the post carriage
But had the key of the jewel case >
"You are a good sleeper" responded
Skenedonk.
I blessed him heartily for his fore
thought. and he said if he had known
was a fool he would rot lave told me
we carried the jewel case into Russia.
dared not let myself think Of Nine.
de Ferrier. The plan Of buying back
her estates, which I had nurtured in
the bottom of my hear:, was now more
remote than America.
One bag Of coin was spent in Paris,
but three remained there with Dr.
| Chantry. We had money, though the
more valuable treasure stayed in Nit
tau.
In the sloping hills and green vines
of Champagne we were no longer har-
assed dodging troops and slept the last
night of our posting at Epernay. TAX
ing the road early next morning, be-
gan to watch for Plessy too soon with
out forecasting that was not to set
foot within its walls.
We came within the marQuir' bound
aries upon a little goose girl knitting
beside her flock. Her bright hair was
bound with a woolen cap. Delicious
grass and the shadow OF. an oak under
which she stood were not to be resist
ed, so I sent the carriage on. She
looked open smouthed after Skenedonk
and bobbed her dutful, frightened
courtesy at me.
The marquis peasants were by nc
means under the influence Of the en-
pirc, as I knew from observing the lad
whom he had sought among the
! drowned in the mortuary chapel OF the
Hotel Dieu and who was afterward
found in a remote wine shop seeing
sights. The goose girl dared not speak
to me unless I required it Of her, and
the unusual notice was an honor she
would have avoided.
"What do you do here:" 1 inquired
Her little heart palpltated In the an
swer, "Oh, guard the geese"
"Is the Marquis du Plessy at the cha
teau?"
Her face grew shaded, as cloud
chases sunlight before it across q
meadow. do you mean the new mar
ouis the old marquis cousin, mon
sieur? He went away directly after
the burial
"What burial:'
1.-The old marquis burial. That was
before st. Johns day"
"Be careful what you say, my child"
"Didn't you know he was dead, mon
sieur?'
81 have been on journey. Was his
death sudden"
"He was killed in q duel in Paris"
'It can't be true!!'
Monsieur" the goose girl asserted
solemnly, "it is true. The blessed st.
Alpin, my patron, forget me if I tell
you lie.''
Around the shadowed spot where 1
sat I heard trees whispering or the
hills and q cart rumbling along the
hardened dust Of the road.
"Alonsieur," spoke the goose girl out
Of her good heart. IF you want to go to
his chapel will shcw you the path"
She carried her knitting down val
ley to a stream, across the bridge and
near an opening in the bushes at the
foot Of q bill.
"Go all to the right, monsieur" sne
said, "and you will come to the chapel
where the Du Plessys are buried"
Keeping ali to the right, as the goose
girl directed, found chapel like a
shrine.
It was locked Through the lattced
door could see an altar, whereunder
the last Du Plessy who had come TO
rest there doubtless lay with bis Kin.
The light, quick stepping Of horses
and their rafting harness brought
Nine. de Ferrier's carriage quickly
around the curve fronting the chapel.
Her presence was the one touch which
the place lacked, and l forgot grief,
shame, impatience at being found out
In my trouble, and stood at her step
with my hat in my hand.
She said; "Oh. Lazarre" and Paul
beat on Ernestine's knee, echoing, "Oh,
Zar." and my comfort was absolute as
release from pain, because she had
come to visit her old friend the mar
quis.
I helped her down and stood with
her at the latticed door.
"How bright it is here" said Eagle.
SIT is very bright came up the bill
from a dark place"
"Did the news Of his death meet you
on the post road?'
sIt met me at the foot OF this hill.
The goose girl told me-"
"Oh, you have been hurt" she said,
looking at me- "Your face is all seam
ed. Don't tell me about Mittau today.
Paul and are taking possession Of the
estates~
Napoleon has given them back to
your
eyes, be has! begged the De Chau-
monts to let me come alone! By hard
nostinr we reached Mont-LOuis last