Middletown transcript., 1904-08-06

| tcTSst hcf, He once attempted TO carry
her off, for Paris is far away and this pro-
vince given over to what We call the high
hand just now. Unfortunately, his at
tempt failed.
"Now, warned by the first attempt Of
her danger, mademoiselle keeps closely to
her castle. Ills Sacred Majesty, tie En-
peror, has drawn so many men from the
province, mademoiselle's brother among
them, that she, being an orphan, has to
protect herself. As she is very rich and
has plenty of servants devoted to her,
this is not SO hard as it might seem. She
is quite sure that when her brother re-
turns he will run his sword through her
too impetuous lover, and so she does not
mind temporary confinement.
i 'And meanwhile, our master saws to
Jules and me, Find some way to draw
that lady from her stronghold. Gold for
you If you do, a beating if you DON'T
and Monsieur le Baron can beat very
hard r.
| ooh, he's man of rank, too?''
| "Assuredlyl One of the Emperor's
creations. Mademoiselle Alix has been
reported to consider that he smells or
newness.
"Wlat has this rigamarole to do with
me ~ questioned, with renewed irrita-
ton.
1T has much to do with Monsieur le
Capitaine,'' said the Boniface, calmly
smoothing his knee with one hand,
"When monsieur arrived here tonight,
both Jules and | thought We beheld the
brother of mademoiselle. At once we
said to each other: Here is our chance
We will convey the body OF the Vicomte
''The body p exclaimed.
"Assuredly-the body. We would con-
vey the body of the Vicomte to his sis
ter. Of necessity there would follow |
funeral; the Lorraines are great believers
in ceremony. Mademoiselle, in burying
her brother, would cease to think Of her
lover, and, at the side Of the tomb, Mon |
sieur le Baron would appear and claim
his desire, with an armed force behind |
him."
You dared not have planned such
cold-blooded yillainy r.
''But why not r. inquired Gratien.-
eve did not intend to let the Baron Be
troubled with details We would sim
ply furnish the Vicomte's body to made
moiselle, and then inform the Baron OF
his approaching opportunity. He will
avail himself-never fear r
'Do you mean,'' I asked, hoarsely,
doubling my own ears, ''tlat you will
murder-me and put me in her brothers
placer
"Murder-that is rude word, !" said
Gratien, composedly Monsieur will /
simply drink little glass, un petit verre
de vin-et VOLTA toutr'
BE sure | shall drink nothing from
your hands," said, desperately.
"We see, returned Gratien, unruffled.
Had not, as a mere youth, passed
through the unspeakable horrors Of the
Revolution, might have thought it abso-
lntely impossible that any man could deal
so coldly with fellow creatures death.
But, alas knew, as men of later gen
erations will never know, the shadow or
the human heart. Gratien pulled bell
rope and there entered a woman, taller
than he, lank tigress with great hollow
eyes and cruel mouth. appealed to
her with all the eloquence at my COM
mand. In return she smiled, and I felt
that her amusement was indeed my
death warrant. Jules alone, of the trio,
seemed to have some touch OF humanity.
Declaring that he had no wish to there
any longer, he stalked out, saying they
might call him if he were needed II
Gratien inquired whether his powders
were ready, and as the woman told him |
they only needed mixing, and then stood
guard over me, he rolled OF in search OF
his poisons. No sooner was he gone,
however, than strange change came
over the woman's face. Sne stopped over
me, half whispering lest she be over
heard. "Listen," she said; ''if show t
you way out Of this, will you kill the |.
Baron at the tomb where he hoped to Sc n
cure that fool whom they call lovely ?"
'By heaven, will serve you to the
DEATH" choked. /,
Listen then. As this master OF ours !
desires love, SO do l., who once gave him ]
my love, desire revenge See me now s
YOU would think me old, would you not I
Yet ! should be in my prime but for llav- s
ing seen my life turn to ashes, but for
having the fruit Of Joy become dead sea- |
mud, salt and bitter in my mouth.
Through me he failed before, through me
he shall fail again. The draft they bring |
you shall mean only stupefaction-I shall
see to that. And when you awake-''
"When | awake in the confines OF .
grave" / shuddered, what can I do ~ 4
Control YOURSELF" she said, sternly. t
"You will come back to life before any
such fate can befall you. Then when you t
have made all Clear 10 her. do You dis G
guise some maid Of hers and let her fol- i
low an empty coffin, weeping. When s
she and handful of women are at the 5
tomb, he will come-and --'' S
Then it will be my turn" interrupt B
ed, eagerly. Is
''No, mine For he shall die, and /
shall have killed him r. III
"And yet." shuddered. "if | should q
not recover consciousness in time, if b
should smother underground n IL
"Ask Gratien to kill yon them" she y
scoffed; beg for dagger through your q
throat that you may be quite sure Of dy- !
ing now r
do but loose me- | impiored, .and 2
will kill dozen men for you.' i
Il am no such blunderer,n she said, 9
"We must work intel g
igently-nor will be cheated Of my e
wish simply to forward your ends. q
I'm uhinuS nc Iesr Y,Jntt Au,ac cfa sraf1ld III