Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-08
CHAPTER VIII.
MY Yvette.

OF rock surrounding II constitute natural
defenses which for many years had been
assiduously strengthened by the Camisards.
As Maurice Raith approached the place
for the first time he saw a wonderful sight.
Hundreds OF men, women and children we're
engaged in building up, even as the Israel
ties had done OF old time. the bulwarks Of
their Zion. The men had their guns and
swords close at hand as they worked.
Many Of them welded the trowel or mixed
the mortar with pistols in their belts and
great basket-hilted swords a-swing by
their sides. Thus for many years were the
high Cevennes held against the king.
The women we're running TO bring lime
and sand. The very children fetched the
water in pals, or, as though they played
a game, carried building stones on hand
carts. Meanwhile, a little erected above
the rest, an old man stood and intoned a
chapter OF the bible in a loud voice or with
uplifted hand led the solemn psalm.
The entertainments. as Maurice soon OBJ
served, we're laid out with the natural eye
Of a soldier, and the aide Of the duke Of
Marlborough soon found himself thinking
with more respect Of the armed peasants
who could thus keep at bay the soldiers Of
the first military power in Christendom.
But, being a young man, Maurice Rsith
thought OF other things besides the military
ordering and entrenchment OF the village Of
La Cavalerie. The heart within him leaped
UP with a certain rejoicing to know that he
was so near the girl whom OF all others
had power to move him. 1t was also whet
to his delight that she did not know IT,.
His dispositions we're soon made. For
Flower o. the Corr as we'll as himself the
night had been a disturbed one. He would
leave her to her repose till the evening.
Then II was certain that she would come
out to breathe the high air of the cause.
with the clean, tart grip in It. When that
occurred he would be near to thank her for
having saved bis life. That would be an
opportunity not 10 be lost. Moreover, he
would find out whether or no she recognized
him.
Maurice Raith had scarcely set foot upon
the wide, closely cropped space, which in
an English or Scottish village would have
been called the green 4" Than he was hailed
from afar by his henchusn. Billy Marshall.
The Corporal Of Carleror.Sns was standing
by one OF the cart wheels with a carefully
packed bundle OF clothes OF the ground
before him. A dozen men were round about
him. He carried a huge thorn stick in his
hand, and was making valiant passes to de-
fend his position.
Master" he cried, as soon as he caught
sight of Maurice. "thae blackyards will NJ
even let your honor's breeks alane-no
T.. though haze telled than till l was tired
that they are a. ye hae to cover your
nakedness, and Bet has glen them the Office
in their ain lingo!"
A man with the blood trickling down
from a broken head came running to
Maurice, holding a cloth to his brow.
--..A. - AA
rapid and imperfect French, will not give
up your clothes to be brushed. / had the
orders to attend to your outfit from Jean
Cavalier himself. / dare not face the gem
oral unless l can intern him that l have
obeyed his instructions. Yet this savage
has broken my head for me-the head OF
an old soldier Of his maiesty's guards and
q good Protestant Of forty years repute.''
Maurice laughed a little, but, instantly
checking himself. in remembrance Of his
self chosen state as Pierre the wagner,
he apologized humbly, at once Fastening to
patch up the wound and attempting to
pacify the belligerent Billy.
But this was somewhat easier said than
done. For the deeps of Billy Marshall were
aroused oy what he considered the uncalled-
for and shameless plumber of his masters
goods and chattels. He felt that go much
good and warlike gear was being delib-
erately thrown away on a pack Of psalm
singing knaves.
But with Bet on one side and Maurice
Raith on the other, the wrathful Bill was
finally removed to the stables, protesting
all the way that he was more than a match
for all the oheatery Frenchies in crea-
tion.
BY this time Il was more than suspected
that Maafar Rilly had haau IOOEfnQ unnn
the redness of that which remained of the
liquor in the lower part OF my Lord Marl-
borough's false -bottomed casks.
A tall and somewhat dignifed man, who
after the rescue of Maurice's uniform had
drawn upon himself the gypsy's anger by
continuing to follow them to the stable.
now came forward, as if to offer some
advice.
II would advise you to take yourself
on" said Maurice; my man Is somewhat
irritable and uncertain, at best. He is
not acquainted with the language and is
apt to take offense even where no offense
is meant. His wife and I will attend to
the horses ourselves" .
But" said the man. speaking in a hest
tating manner. and In a tone of apology,
here are also my own horses. Who will
see to them&
whose norses are lney! SAld MAURICE,
much astonished.
VIII your highness do me the honor to
enter2" said the man, taking his hat from
his head. II am the hostler Of this place,
and | have the commands OF Jean Cavalier
himself to lodge both you and your equip
age"
The young man descended certain steps
Of stone, a little crumbling and followed
out in spoon fashion in the middle, with
use and wont, and presently found himself
In wide stables. The 1oor was Of hard
trodden earth, black and glossy like g
blacksmith's apron, not at all like the lime,
stone OF the Causes or the houry foot,
~ingewhich Il naturally makes, There was
plenty Of light. however. for on the further
side the stables gave upon a little steep
ravine. or cleft In the Cause, aud withal
a cheerful sound OF horses moving their
blinker and headstalls as they jerked
their necks upward and whisked about the
more easily to reach their Manager feed
or the hay in the racks above.
On pegs here and there were hung sad
dies and requirements of war all ready for
use. For the Camisards obtained many OF
their most celebrated successes simply by
the speed with which they were able to
move from one place to another,
Still higher rows OF iron head pieces
winked as the level shafts Of sunlight fell
throuRh the narrow. triangular oDeninga in