Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-05-19
Gaston's distress was pitiful; as his

mute eyes now and again sought mine,
l could not find it in my heart to CEN
sure him. Having distanced my poorly
mounted pursuers 1 stopped to water
my horse at the spring before riding
the few hundred yards to the gates of
Cartillon. While vet waiting by the
spring I was Mortified to see men
struggling on top Of the great tower.
Their fight was brief and decisive.
Two of them, one being Maurice my
most trusted man at arms, were
thrown violently to the courtyard be-
low. OF the others some We're killed,
some overpowered and carried below
again.
All of this took only an instant, for
1t appeared but the end of q desperate
encounter which had been raging else
where. The time, however, was long
enough for me to see that those of the
larger party wore the white sash and
cross which distinguished my assail-
ants in Rouen.
God in heaven. what murders work
have we at Cartillon?" l cried aloud
in my misery. Then one who could an
Swer came running toward me from
the castle, gashed with snapped sword
in hand.
ooh, master, master, the Catholics.
the Catholics" was all he could speak
out before he fell senseless mass at
my horses feet.
Cartillon was not now refuge.
Immediately the distant sound of
hoof beats came loud and louder vet,
from the direction of Rouen. Ortez
was coming.
Quick, CASTOR, we must fly"
My overtaXed horse failed me now.
Pulling the rein he only sank slowly
to his knees, and after a few spas
modic twitches, stiffened out forever
upon the rocky road. / stood erect a
moment. child in arms irresolute.
There was short shrift to think My
blood rebelled at flight
Here, CASTOR, take the boy; hide in
the wood. Carry him to the Abbot of
Vaux, and conjure the good priest, by
our fathers love and ours, to save my
baby
Castor had hardly passed from sight
among the trees before dozen we'll
armed horsemen, bearing the same
white cross In their caps, spurred
rosnd a curve in the forest road COM
ing suddenly upon me beside my fallen
steed. Sword in hand, fronted them.
determined, come what would. to fly nc
further. The evil face of Ortez shone
with qualification at SO unexpectedly
finding me alone.
Now yield thee, sirrah," he cried
as his men surrounded me. quick
thrust through the body of his horse
brought him to the ground.
mot yet, thou slayer of women; here
upon equal footing. thy life shall pay
for those of Wife and child.
1 verify believed the Almighty ven
geance was in my blade, and doubt not
troopers, but for crushing pike blow
over the head. so swiftly did it all come
about.
My brain reeled; the sword dropped
changing from my nerveless hand
When 1 recovered, found myself
bound upon horse behind one OF the
men.
ION with him, men, to Cartillon
there we rest this night in the kings
name"
In this wise we rode along; Ortez
AHA, my fine brother" he spoke low
at my saddle. THY fathers son has
thee in his power now. And shall l not
revenge thee the wrong our father did
my mother for thine? Didst know the
story?"
i made no reply, but he went on un-
mindful.
TO my mother he gave
his love, but dared not give
IdIllCt W LILY liiOtllSI liz gave MS
name but could never give his love
So thou art the proud lord of Cartillon
and / the outcast soldier of fortune
the nameless adventurer, slayer OF
women-what thou wilt. But things
are changed now. Before many hours
/ will be the Count d'Artin, and thou
a dishonored corpse. sweet brother"
Thou. Thou my brother?"
] turned upon him a look of incredu-
1<,,,f. l,r = -,
some such tale of my fathers youth,
asked:
Thy mother was?
'Nanon Esculas, whom thy fathe,
abducted In Spain to desert in France
My heart sank; l had seen the wom-
an. and knew her son for one of the
most courageous and unprincipled adj
venturers who hung about the court
and held their swords for hire. Wher
the noisy troop rode up to the gates OF
Cartillon their leader paused a head
"Guise," cried Ortez, giving the
watchword of that day of slaughter
The drawbridge lowered, and oper
swung the gates.
Welcome to Cartillon, d'Artin," Or
tez bowed. Here at last we find rest
and refreshment. Let a feast be
spread in the great hall. ransack the
place for good cheer. We've done brave
work this glorious day, my lads and 9
merry ending We'll have before the
night is gone"
Everywhere In the courtyard were
evidences of bloody conflict. Singly. ir
groups, in hideous, crimson-splasheG
piles lay Catholics and Huguenots to.
gether, peaceful enough In death.
by my faith, and gallant set o,
gentlemen We have here" laughed Or
tez. What think you. brother mine?'
And as he spoke he leaned from his
saddle to strike down half dying
wretch who lifted his head from among
the slain.
Perez" he called to his sergeant rid
ing behind him, dispose of these bod
les. Throw the hereto dogs into the
old we'll yonder. Give our martyreC
friends Christian burial"
He sat on his horse idly toying witt
his dagger, and forced me to watch my
servants, the wounded and the dead
being cast into the yawning darkness
of the we'll.
Gods blood. here is our swee,
young Philip. What. not yet dead
Why. it matters not. cast him in" This
in answer to questioning look from
the more merciful Perez.
The men at arms had extricated from
a heap of slain the limp body of m.
youngest brother, boy of 20, his pallit
face gaping open from q cut across the
cheek He lifted his eyes languidly t.
mine.
"Oh, brother. you are come. Some
water, water" he murmured.
Throw him in, men," Ortez inter
-upted.
Perez yet hesitated.
Shall we not first dispatch him
sire?"
NO. I would not harm my gentle
brother; throw him in. BE not SLOW
about 1t. either. thou chicken-hearteG
DULLES; pitch him in
The men started to obey this savage