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

sir, more than match her own, yet ]
must say, protest that this hasty mar.
riage implies no doubt upon the honor
of the lady who takes my name"
Hell and furies," cried the marquis
inconsistency, who dares to imply
such q thing. MDnseigneur, will you
proceed or shall kill this man before
your eyes?'
The brief words which mean so much
and bind so fast were soon spoken.
Philip and Anne made the responses,
and kneeling before the aged cleric
received his benedicton. AS soon as
he had finished, the archbishop, realiz-
ing that here was delicate situation.
discreetly Withdrew and left the par
Elephants in this strange wedding alone
once more. AS they rose TO their feet
the Englishman turned to the woman,
all his thoughts swept away In the
knowledge that at last she was his
wife.
my own, my own" he cried, taking
her in his arms. But before he could
press one kiss upon her forehead the
marquis interviewed
mo, sir" he cried, "you have dis
honored the house of Rohan. You
have made what amends you could
by marrying the girl That Is all.
You shall never see your wife again.
I sha all kill you where you stand. The
connection shall end that way. Draw.
sir!" cried the old man, shaking his
blade in the others face. Defend
yourself. if you can"
81 will not cross swords with man
old enough to be my grandfather,
answered Grafton-'one who stands in
such a relationship as you to the lady
am happy to call my wife. BY your
consent, by your urging, we were mar
red. She is mine before Heaven itself.
No man may part her from me. She
goes with me-"
How will you take her hence,
pray?'
"By this window, through which
came" cried Grafton, lifting up his
wife in his arms and springing back
ward.
"a mol" called the marquis loudly.
The servants came running into the
room in response to this call.
"Ha." cried the marquis. "The Baron
| de Croisic's way. 'Tis his tower. You
shall end like the lover of the fair
Jehane. Jean-Renaud, seize this man"
Jean-Renaud stepped forward slow
| ". His affections We're with his young
mistress, and he secretly admired the
gallant Englishman who had won her,
vet his duty babe him obey the mar
Quis.
Back" cried Grafton whipping
ont his pistol and pointing it at jean
Remand. "a step nearer and you are
dead man"
The man stopped short; he knew
decision when he met it.
"Tis true you have the advantage,
Monsieur le Marquis. | can not take
Madame Grafton away from you to-
night, alone as | am, but be certain
that will come back for her with force
that cannot be denied. shall have her
if | have to tear down the castle stone
| by stone. Take good care of madame
sir" Grafton continued insolently, u
leave her in your charge. Back. you
CATTLE" he cried swinging his pistol
toward the servants and lackeys. who
were huddled together in the rear OF
Jcan-Renaud. Anne, wife, FAREWELL
Monsieur" said the marquis, striv-
ing to regain his wonted calmness
"you may storm the castle if you will
You will not find madame here. When
the French fleet sails in the morning
we go with her. Now, men, upon
him"
Grafton discharged his pistol at the
nearest valet. and as the man fell he
hurled the empty weapon into the
midst of the rest. With one look al
Anne he turned and sprang through
the oriel window. He erasped the rope
and slid down it rapidly
The men surged toward the balcony
Anne sprang between them. She
caught the marquis by the arm and
rest swarmed past them and filled the
balcony. One of the men lifted dag
ger to cut the rope. A deafening roa,
rang out in the night the man
screamed with pain and his arm drop
ped to his side. Another shot was
heard. The crowd shrank back for 4
few seconds and Grafton reached the
foot of the tower He scrambled dOwI
the rocks to find old Jabez, smoking
musket in his hand, waiting for him
in the prov of the boat.
"Who fred" he cried.
"'Twas me, yer Honor; | was a.
watchin' the wnder. seen yer Honor
come out, then | seen the man raise
the knife, an | blaZed away at him
hain't forgot how to shoot nuther.
"You saved me-" cried Grafton
"Shove off the boat. Lively. Breal
out the oars; we must get away"
Slocum sprang to the oars and Graf
ton seized the tiller The balcony
above was filled with men now. TIL,
old marquis was there, and Anne-hi
wife. He could spare only q secont
for a glance. The light from blazing
torches threw dim illumination dow
upon the little bay. A woman
screamed. Shots rang out, bullet
spattered the water all about them.
Are you hit, Jabe2?"
mo, sir; be you?'
"I'm all right, too; pull, man, pull
for Gods sake,"
Presently they We're in the entranc
and out of danger. The wind wa