Morris tribune., 1903-01-03
The Bandit

SNAAANANO1J SNNOJ
and unreasonably jealous husband.
She had recently laid aside her
weeds and begun a neuvaine when
an order from the king enjoined
her to lodge a captain and his
squadron, who had been sent to
clear the country of an audacious
band Of brigands.
The young widow submitted with
good grace. While the dragons
had free access to the pantry, she
did the honors of her table for their
chief, the DUO de Merval. Dom
Maroufot, the chaplain of the cha
teau, acted as chaperon.
One evening the duke was talk
ing and drinking in the large vain
| scoted room, where he was playing
chess with Dom Marouf1ot. The
marquise, who wore an exception
ally elegant toilet, was asking her
self for the thousandth time that
week, 'Do really love him." and,
though she reflected seriously, her
question remained unanswered.
''That Gillou is a clever bandit"
growled the captain between two
games. "For two weeks we have
secured the country, and still he
slips through our fingers. I have
decided to search for him tomorrow
with the whole squadron.
"Gillou is not an ordinary brig
and" continued the duke. ''They
say he is educated, courteous and
even gallant upon occasions"
AS the marquise drew her chair
nearer to the table where the two
men were sitting the captain began
to tease her.
"What a serious countenance,
madame! I fear my stories about
brigands have so frightened you
that you will not dare to venture
two steps in the park this evening"
Dom Maroufot looked at the
clock and said: 'It is the hour for
your neuvaine, madame. I will
ring for the servants to escort you"
"No, no; it is needless" replied
the marquise, piqued by the dukes
sarcasm. 'sI shall go to the chapel
alone. ] wish to prove to Captain
Merval that women are not such
towards as he believes"
| The old chapel was at the farther
end of the park. Once out Of the
house the marquise began to regret
her bravado. Nine. Beauminois'
| mind was filled with the stories she
had heard concerning Gillou, "the
man in the mask as the old wo-
men Of the country called him.
Under her fine satin corsage her
heart beat so loudly she could al
most hear it.
At last she reached the chapel
and, entering, kneeled and said her
prayers a little more quickly than
usual. Then she rose and went to-
ward the door.
Suddenly she stopped and caught
her breath. A masked man was
standing near the holy water vessel.
AS she saw that he remained mo-
tionless and in a respectful atti-
tude she took courage and ad-
vanced.
The man dipped his fingers in the
holy water and held them out to
her. She did not dare to refuse the
strangers offer, and, thanks to
raw of moonlight that filtered
through stained glass window, she
remarked that he had very beau
tiful hand.
A little treasured, she made a
sign of the cross and left the chapel.
She had scarcely taken ten steps
before the unknown man rejoined
her, and she started at hearing a
voice which she thought she recog-
nized, although it was slngularly
softened.
evil you allow me to offer you
nv arm. madame? Some accident
mi ght befall you alone in this great
park at such an hour"
He had such a courtly bearing
that the marquise felt perfectly
safe.
AS they crossed an opening
bathed in moonlight she examined
her companion more closely. His
mask left the lower part of his face
uncovered. Not only did she believe
that it was not the first time she
had heard this voice, but it seemed
to her that it was the same blond
mustache which had lightly touched
her hand each evening in discreet
kiss. The masked man had there
fore almost the same voice, mus
tache and figure as the duke.
He had disguised himself to
o