Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-08

burst into tears
will Monsieur le Marquis pardon
me?" said rasile insistcntly. THE
person, a man, perhaps, was seen with
Madame Josette."
"Ah. so.' cried the marquis, turning
fcrccly to the PROSTATE woman. you
have lied to me. them"
Eyes, monsieur" she sobbed
"Who was It? Speak, you fool"
But the girl only shook her head and
sobbed and walled at his feet. The
marquis could get nothing further from
| her
Curse these women" he exclaimed
in deep disgust. Where did they 20,
Basile?"
"They came IN this stair, monsieur"
"Have you men outside the door,"
eyes. Monsieur lie Marquis.
bid them search every chamber in
this corridor Now, Mademoisella
Anne" he said turning to the countess.
perhaps you can help us. Know you
aught of this strange visitor? Has
anyone been erc?"
Anne's tongue clave TO the roof Of
her mouth, her knees 'rembled beneath
her. her heart stopped its breathing in
terror, but she could not lie. even to
save her lover. She looked at the
marquis in silence.
There is no ono in the other rooms.
Monsieur le Marquis" said the steward
az the men reported to him.
"Ha' He must be here. then. Anne.
tell me-Why arc you silent? What
Is il child?' her grandfather bent over
her. speak will have an answer,
Did any one come here? is there any
one here now? BY heaven, these
women eXasperate me beyond endur-
ance, JeanRenaul. you were here
when came in. How long had you
been here?"
But few moments, Monsieur le
Marquis"
Did any one come in while you
were here"
No, monsieur"
You have been a faithful servant
for 80 years, you would not lie to ne.
ask you again. did { 1yone come while
you were here"
No. monsieur
Your pardon. de Chabot," inter-
rupted the Comte de Kersaint, "let
me ask another question. Re
maud was there any one here besides
mademoiselle and her maid when you
came in?'
The Breton looked stubbornly at the
sailor.
You are not my master, Monsieur
de kersaint' he answered.
/ Answer his question, Jean-Re-
Maud said the marquis sharply.
The old man stared at the two gen.
tlemen in silence
Answer 1t to me- then"
The lips Of the old servant remained
sealed
You dog" shouted the marquis flu
riously. How dare YOU disobey my
orders, And to what end? Your 81
lence proves that some one was here.
Who was it? Speak. command you,
On your allegiance. by your faith,
by the duty you owe me. | charge
You. | wish TO know who was here.
will know It. Ten thousand devils!"
he roared, exasperated beyond meas
ure at the mans stubborn Silence.
"Nill you speak. or not? AS God hears
me, if you do not answer Immediate
ly. | shall pass my sword through
YOU
That is as monsieur pleases." an
swered Jean-R"naud sturdilY. Mon
sieur is a gentleman, and am only
a Breton peasant but ! have my ideas
Of honor LOO Serving monsieur and
his son Tor - years in this house.
how could il DO otherwise? And my
may kill me. l am his man, my life
is his, but monsieur can not make me
speak"
Furious with rage the marquis short
ened his arm and drew back his
sword
Strike not. de Chabot," cried de
I KerSaint interposing, laying his hand
upon the others arm. What need ?
It's certain some one is here. The ST
lence of the maid, the acquiescence
of mademOisele, and the refusal OF
this old man to confirm or deny. prove
II beyond doubt. There is no exit
from this or the other chamber. if !
remember the castle save by the door
through which We came The man
or woman must he there Let us
search. Honor your servant for liz an
/ Gent fidelity. de Chabot. He would
/ not betray woman There IS some
one here-sOme one in the room OF
the woman | love, the woman who is
this night plighted TO me Let us
search. That door, yonder? What room
/ is that"
Monsieur cried Anne. stepping
across 10 tho door, her face afame,
tits my hed-chamber You may not
pass within it but over my body
She had not remembered de Wire
but she was on fire TO protect Grafton.
| Yet it was desperate, hopeless sit
uation No matter. she would fight
! for him to the end-they should not
harm him.
"Mademosellc, assure me on the
| honor of de Rohan that there is no
one there and | withdraw
She "ndcavored To speak yainly
moistenng her dry lips, but she could
not, SO she stood silent and determined
between him and the door behind
which Grafton, his sword out his blood
up, was in readiness Ia make dash
| for liberty. But his time was not