Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
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IS Of fortune
CHAPTER XIX.
A Life and Death Struggle.


selves. and for a few moments Gabrielle
could do no more than cling to her lover
and stare at the door, overcome by terror.
Then, shaking off her lethargy, she once
more begged MIN in an impassioncd whisper
TO fly.
You must not ask it. Gabrielle nor will
he dare to harm either of us when l tell
him 1 am Bourbon's SON.
He will; he will. / know him and you
do not" she urged strenuously. within
the last few hours he swOre to have your
life. If / would not consent to marry him.
If he finds us together he will have you slain
before my eyes. For the love of Cod fly
while there is yet time"
"Will you risk it with me?'
Eyes, yes anything; anything rather than
that he find you here she answered des-
perately.
At this moment they heard the key fitted
into the lock and Pierre's voice as he re-
piled to the governors reproaches. But
before the key could be turned. Gerard
dragged the pallet to the door and wedging
it against an angle of the wall. improvised
a barrier which damned the door fast.
The key was turned and those outside
strained to thrust the door back; and
Pierre's deep voice was heard declaring
that the lock was wedged
Come, Gabrielle quick" Gerard drew her
to the window and getting out, stood upon
the ladder and held his arms waiting in
fever of impatience for her to follow. She
went to the window and looked out, but
with a gasp of fear shrank back. APP
palled by the far descent and shuddered.
Heaven help me- Gerard, 1 dare not she
cried. Her nerve failed at the look of
yawning darkness, and when at the same
moment a great knocking sounded against
the cell door, she fell on her knees on the
floor ana buried her face in her hands.
Come, Gabrielle, courage, said Gerard.
Trust yourself to me and all will be well.
II cannot, i cannot. dare not. cannot
die that way. l am a coward, Gerard. But
do you go, oh, go. If you love me-
climbed back into the cell, to the dismay
of Pascal and his companions, who were
watching below.
Then the clamor al the door ceased
what does it mean, PIERCE asked the
governor
1.-The lock has jammed. my lord" was the
reply. Il have known il so once or twice
before. and reported it. With your lord
ships leave j can get another key that may
open it.
Quick. then man. quick. And have up
some men with bars to break the lock in
lest you fail"
His entrance will be your sentence of
death. Gerard" whispered Gabrielle. when
reused he is too recklessy desperate in his
Jury 10 let duSnt StanQ IN MS way.
He will not dare to harm me, Gabrielle
he answered calmly.
When he finds that | have come to res
cue you he will kill you. He would do it
were 1t the King of France himself who
stood in his way
They heard the governor muttering to
himself as he fumbled al the lock impa-
tently while awaiting Pierre's return and
then plan leapt into Gerards thoughts
I'VE will see" he said. Quick Gabrielle,
Rouse yourself. my dearest. l have a plan
that VIII yet save us both. Where is the
knife you brought? He shall come in
What would you do. Gerard?" she whjs-
pered. In a voice of awe. rising and peering
into mis- face in the dim light
Not murder: but l have a plan. Stand
over there in the shadow and be ready
with the knife when call to you Give me
your cloak. Quick, now for the love of
God Seconds are priceless"
Gabrielle slipped off the cloak and handed
1t to him, and stood back where he had di-
dected. "
as death till / call to YOU ~
Making as little noise as possibIe be
wrenched the pallet from the door and
placed II ready for use again and holding
the cloak in readiness took his stand behind
the door N''''"
AS he did so he heard Pierre in the die
lance. ~
The governor tried the door again then
and, finding 1t yield, pushed IL open and
entered the cell, all unsuspicious of any
danger. '
In moment Gerard threw cloak over
ms mead and. smothering Misery of alarm
u, IN me toids of the cloak. dashed him vio-
lently 10 the ground. Then leaving his
prisoner Tor moment he thrust the bed
once more against the floor just in time
TO prevent those outside from entering, or
indeed seeing what had occurred
The governor finding himself free. how
ever began to shout for help, when Gerard
sprang upon him again. gripping him by
the throat, and clapped a hand ronpbIy
over his mouth
The governor was a powerful man. and
ne Fought with frantic efforts to free him.
self from Gerards grip. a desperate
struggle in the darkness followed-Cierard
bent on preventing single cry from es-
Gaping his adversarys lips and the duke
writing and straining to cast off the
slnewy hands which clutched his throat
and mouth, threatening to suffocate him
The silence, broken only by the hard
breathing of Gerard and the convulsive
movements of the pair as they were locked
In the deadly embrace added to the weird
terror of the scene.
The knife" whispered Gerard at length
as he felt the strength of his enemy begin
ming to give out: and Gabrielle whose
courage had now returned, crept across the
cell as near to him she dared and held
1t out Waiting his opportunity he released
the grip on his opponents throat. and TAX
ing the knife held it over the weakening
mans heart.
My lord, my lord.' called Pierre, pug
zled at not finding the governor at the door
Then the other men whom Pierre had
summoned came up and spoke to him.
Tearing the cloak from the dukes face,
Gerard let him see the CLEAN of the knife
in the moonlight.
My lord duke. a single sound from your
lips other than direct, and as / am a man.
the blade goes straight home to your
heart"
To further the threat he pressed the dag
ger until the sharp point entered the flesh.
and, Withdrawing it. he dragged him to his
feet and held him.
AT Gerard's fierce tone and menacing ges
ture, and still more at the slight wound in
ficted, the governors courage gave, and
he stood trembling in deadly fear for his
life.
At that moment the clamor began again
at the door
You are in my power. but / do not seek
your life unless you force me by treachery,
breathed Gerard into his ear.
What do you want?'' The harsh strident
voice was feeble and husky the question
came from trembling lips.
send those men away, all OF them. Say
all Is well, and bid them cease their eff
forts"
Realizing his helplessness and too APP
palled by his imminent peril to attempt
treachery. he turned toward the door and
called To Pierre by name. But his quaver-
ing voice was drowned by the din and clat-
ter those outside making.
Louder louder" whispered Gerard.
Pierre. Pierre" called the governor but