Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-03-24

fered but single scream of swift af-
fright to leave her lips. From the UNI
hooded lanthorn bargt out spreading
yellow glow. Her scream awoke me
to consciousness Of reality. From
my own unlocked tongue of terror
came it's answer. l Joined my voice to
hers, deaed the hush of slumbering
centuries and filled that quaking room
with perfect deluge of reverberating
shrieks. Many others, men, with
cioaks, some having lights. some none.
rushed in behind the woman. From
that time I knew nothing.
awakened from dreamy languor:
a subtle essence of perfume floated
through my senses. A gentle touch of
some kindly hand was bathing my
temples. Fearful lest this sweet illu-
sion vanish with the others, kept my
eyes firmly closed, and soon abandoned
myself wholly to the subduing influ-
ences of natural slunber.
Has he stirred. Florine?"
No, monsieur, but his head is cooler
now-he sleeps. hush! Perhaps an
other day he will be better. How he
raved through the night. Poor, young
gentleman, he quite exhausted hitrs.
SELF
All. well, Florine. he is young, and
With such nurses as thou and Nam
nette he will of a surety recover"
turned my head and smiled a feeble
recognition of Jerome and Florine. The
other woman ] had never seen; she
was much cider than Florine and had
Il kind motherly face
What day is it?"
The morning of Sunday"
1t was Wednesday night when Jel
ONE and went TO the ball.
l looked about me. The lodgings
Ioc 7 !,
Arms. yet much changed In little
things. The vase of flowers there in
the window, the neat-swept hearth
the cheerful fire, and that indefinable
something which gives touch of
womaniiness to room. Florine, per-
haps.
Ugh! am so glad to be here and
1 shudcered at the remembrance of my
prison and suffering.
Poor dear said the older woman in
a Voice full of sympathy. don't worry;
you are in comfort ROW, and will soon
be strong again
Am wounded in amy wise?" l in
quiied, for knew not the manner of
my coming there.
No, 10, my lad" broke i'm Jerome 8
hearty reinsurance, mot q bit, just worn
and starved out. Truly. boy, you had
a rough adventure. BY DDS blood.
I'd hate to have the like. Has he ta-
ken any food F'lorine?
Nothing but the Wine and a sup or
two of broth. Here is something for
him now and she brought me most
tempting array Of soup, hot viands and
victuals OF which L feared to eat as
desired.
Though Florine and Jerome would
not permit me to disturb myself with
vain conversation, yet by dint of ques-
tons and listening when they talked
apart. thinking ! slept. found how it
all came about. 1t seems Florine saw
and recognized me when / returned to
the gaming room, having left Madame
la Princesse. She knew too, i'm some
way which | did not learn, that neither
Broussard nor / had left Bertrand $
that night. This, though the provosts
lAen Lad been searching the city for US
both. She kept her knowledge to her
self. When the turbulence Gained
down somewhat and sentries were
placed to guard the house, she occupied
herself in Slipping about looking for
my hiding place 1t took but a little
while for her, familiar as she was with
the house, to find the room where
Broussard and / had taken refuge.
Listening at the door she heard our
angry voices and the scuffle within.
This may have been when 1 was chok-
ing him. Horrible! horrible.
Continued Next Week.)