Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-29

as the figure came out of the darkness
Of the highroad behind him.
"Ah, my Jarrat," he said, lis it you,
then"
"Look your Jarrats voice was
hoarse with passion. There are some
things that are denied you. This is one.
Be warnedw
Warned? And by your laughed
the other. You lay law for me?
WhereforeT
"And do I not hold to 1t, monsieur?
Did you not tell me to search out the
bright eyes and red lips? Did you not
say to me that love was fair in the
middle plantation? Did you not whis-
per Of proud ladies waiting to be kiss
edT
Jarrat burst into laugh.
"You! Why. you pitiful fool! So
this is the why Of such brave daring!
Insults, forsooth, and duels with gen
tlemen! A fine nobleman it is, to be
sure! Think you the toast Of Virginia
is to be charmed by your tinsel swash-
buckling? Think you that Mistress
TtllOtson would lower her eyes to your"
me, monsieur"
II tell you will have you keep your
clerks face elsewherey"
"Clerk?" repeated the young man.
mo, no. Not clerk; nobleman,
marquis-one Of the high blood-a title
guaranteed me this morning by my
lord the Earl of Dunmore"
$50 that is it," jeered the other fierce
y. 'You think 10 wed lady by this
brave masquerade. You dream
Not by this masquerade-no," said
the Frenchman, Frightening stain
coming to his face. by only my heart.
BY only what 1t holds, monsieur. I
said she had already lowered her eyes
to me. Yes, the fairest lady in Vir-
ginia, and still she does not guess of
our plan and of my bargain this morn
ing with his excellency! All, such hap
piness! / did not even dream 1t would
be so-that she would regard me, me
just as am. When his excellency has
returned-when am nobleman-I
shall have this to remember-that 1t
was so. That when she first gave me
her hand to kiss it was to me, just to
NJ. Armand-not to the marquis which
j shall become"
"a title" prompted Jarnt, "good
only SO long as please"
"You will not tell her otherwise. No.
Because you wish me to carry out this
purpose-this pretty play the plan Of
which has so joyed the noble earl In
the fort yonder and made him smile
upon you and swear you were fit for a
cardinal You would not cloud this
beaming favor of his with early fail
ure. No, you will tell no one. man
serves either love or ambition. and your
ambition is master. And I? am not
worthy to kiss her hand. No one on
earth, rich or prOud as lie may be,
could think himself that. But 1 could
offer her more than you, for IL had
the whole world would give 1t all
wealth, name, ambition-just to be but
vagabond on the street with her! No,
you will not tell her. monsieur, that I
nm not what may come to seem. You
will not tell her"
Jarrats face purpled.
Beware, you spawn he said in a
choked voice. "On other points you are
free while you serve in this. But go
not far along the way you have chosen
with her. She is not for such as YOU"
'She is for whom she loves" answer
ed the young Frenchman.
The clatter of horses sounded, and
the lank figure Of Henry came from
the stable yard leading two mounts.
AS the pair took saddle and rode
away Jarrat stood looking after them
down the highroad.
$50 the lady has lowered her eyes
to you?" he scoffed, with dark smile
ON his arrogant lips. ;"'And l dare not
spoil your gay masquerade? wouldn't
give pistole for your chances with
Foy. He will end you as he would
undo an oyster. You made mistake,
my new laid marquis, in soaring so
high, and worse one in Dragging Of
1t. But for thai touching scene in the
yard I had stopped that laundering
idiot, but now he may spit you and
welcomed!
The rattle Of departing hoofs had
scarce died away when Anne crept
softly down the stair of the inn. She
had donned long cloak, and from I'M
der the edge of its hood, drawn over
her hair, her blue eyes looked out with
a feverish brightness.
The hall was lighted with great
lantern, whose yellow food added to
the flower white pallor Of her counte-
nance. The clock was striking 10. The
soldiers had sought the fort to gain
early rest, and the townfolk were gone
home. The long parlor was still and
dark. Through the open door Apne
could see the litter of tankards and
pipes and lean dog, stretched with
black muzzle laid to the threshold.
asleep.
She slipped through the door and to
the highroad, and then. with tremu-
lous fits of fear at the shadows. ran at
her best pace toward the fort. 1t was
good half mile, and she reached it
out of breath. A sentry at the gate
stopped her, and to him she said she
wished to see the governor on impor-
tant business.
/ II know not if he will see you." he
objected doubtfully. ut is late. and
the march is to begin at sunup."
"But he must see me-" she told him.
.sTell him he must!'
t. He left her for moment. then. re-
turning, led her across court Of bard
beaten earth into log building con-
. tanning a Sinnla rom At tho far end