The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-30

the house. \ low fire burned in the
chimney. We stirred it and lighted the
lantern. Footprints not our own had
dried white upon the smooth, dark
floor.
They pointed 10 the fireplace and out
again. They had been made by a
woman's feet.
We descended the hill to the river
and tossed our light through every
bush, the lantern blinking in the wind.
We explored The r:vinc. the light steal
ing over White Liic!!cs that glistened
like alabaster- 1t was no use TO call
her name. She !aiSAt be hidden DC
hind rock laughing At Us. We NAG
to surprise her to recover her. Shene-
GoNk would have traced her where we
lost the trail
When we went back 10 the house,
detected with physical weariness, IN
strapped the blanket and the food
which Nine. Ursulc had sent and
brought them to Pierre Grignon. He
threw the blanket on tie settce, laid
out bread and meat on the table and
ate, both of Us blaming ourselves for
sending the Indian or the other side
OF the river.
We traced the hard route which I
had followed the Gay before, and
reached Green Bay about dawn. Pierre
Grisnon went to bed exhausted. I had
some breakfast and waited for Skene-
donk. Ee had not returned, but had
sent one man back to say there was 10
clew. The meal was like a passover
eaten in haste. I could not wait, but
set out again, with 9 pillion which l
had carried uselcssly in the night
strapped again upon tho horse for her
seat in case I found her. and leaving
word for the Oneida to follow.
I had forgotten there was such q
person as Able Edgcwcrth when he
led horse upon the ferryboat.
You ride early as we'll as late. May
I join you:
II ride on q search which cannot in
tereSt you, monsieur.
You are mistaken. I understand
what has disturbed the house, and I
want to ride with YOU"
1T will be hard for q horse1nan ac-
customed to avenues
1T will suit me perfectly"
1t did not suit me at all. but he took
my coldness with entire courtesy.
''EIave you breakfasted, monsieur?
81 had my usual slice Of bread and
cup Of water before rising he an
swercd
Again I led on the weary trail to my
house. Able Edgeworth galloped well,
keeping beside me where there was
room or riding behind where there was
not. The air blew soft, and great
shadow clouds ran in an upper current
across the deepest blueness I had seen
in many a day. The sun showed be-
yond rows Of hills.
I bethought myself to ask the priest
if he knew anything about Count de
Chaumont. He answered very simply
and directly that he did-that I might
remember Count de Chaumont was
mentioned in Mittau. The count, he
said. according to common report, had
retired with his daughter and his SON.
in-ldw to Blois, where he was T1gor-
ously rebuilding his ruined chateau Of
Chaumont
If my mind had been upon the priest
I should have wondered what he came
for. He did not press his message.
'The court is again in exile?" said
when we could ride abreast.
"At Ghent."
''Bellengec visited me last Septem-
Der. He was without a dauphin."
I'VE could supply the deficiency"
Able Edgeworth pleasantly replied.
with the boy he left in Europe"
"Ch. dear, no! With royal dukes.
You observed his majesty could not
pension helpless idiot without en-
couraging dauphins. These dauphins
are thicker than blackberries. The
dauphin myth has become sc common
that whenever we see bessar ap-
preaching we say, There comes an
other dauphin.' One Of them is I feZ-
low who calls himself the Duke Of
Richemont He has followers who be-
lteve absolutely in him. Somebody,
seeing him asleep, declared it was the
face Of the dead king"
l felt stung, remembering the Mar
quis du Plessy's words.
"Oh, yes, yes" said Able Edgeworth.
s.Ee has visions. too-half memories,
when the face Of his mother comes
back to him.
"What about his scars?' I asked
hardly.
'Scars: Yes; I am told he hes the
proper stigmata Of the dauphin. He