The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-12-21

Jarrat For once had no rotort The
outer door opened, and Toy and three
soldiers in his majcsty's uniform enter
ed. Foy carried n folded paper.
The four entered the Inner door and
stepped OH to the crowded floor togeth-
or. Freneau and Jarrat both pressed
after them, the former in eager curl
osity and the latter to slip into the
background.
Anne stood with the marquis, her
fingers on his arm, awaiting minuct,
The fiddles were weaving the first
meshes Of the tune. She felt his arm
suddenly tighten, lis clasp take closer
hold.
"What is it?" she asked There was
hustle at the lower end OF the room.
He looked down at her. Something in
his voice smote her. "Rcmcmber what
you said to me at Greenway Court
what you said when we stood under
the pines by GLADDEN. Hall. If l should
come to be mean and low and dishon-
orablc before the world'-
"Look!" she cried. "They come this
way. What can they want2"
"Listcn-low before the world, but
still loving-still loving YOU
An indefinable .tremor came TO her.
The dancers were beginning TO stop.
Colonel Tillotson had turned his head.
Foy, followed by the soldiers, had
paused In front of them and was point
ing to Armand. "Takc him!" said lie.
The fiddles broke Off with n screcch.
The whole floor was stricken suddenly
hushed, suddenly motionless. Anne
could hear in Toys throat his hoarse,
savage breathing as the soldiers step
ped forward. The assembly gasped,
thunderstruck.
Then instantly there was an uproar
"Stop" they insisted. a dozen dress
swords, among them Frcneau's, came
out clicking The ladies shranll, the
gentlemen came up furious, muttering
curses against the royal governor.
"What Is the meaning Of this out
rage, slr?" Colonel Tillotson stood tall
and threatening. "By what right lay
you hands upon the person Of the mar
Quis?"
"'The marquisr" said Foy. 81 want
no marquis. This is no moro marquis
than I am. have here warrant
signed by the royal governor of Yir-
ginia for the seizure of the person of
one Louis Armand, calling himself the
Marquis dc la Trouerle, swindlcr, I'M
postor and conspirer against the peace
of his majesty's colony. a fine sport
he has made of you, ladies and gentle
menl Will you come hence peaceably,"
to Armand, "or shall l have you
draggedW
The hearers wavered. Mrs. Byrd
had fixed her eyes on Anne's face, and
in them was tiny, feline glitter
Anne's hands were clasped about Ar
mand's arm, and q spot of indignant
red burned either cheek.
ooh, infamous!' she said clearly
"'Tis liev
"Sir," asked Colonel Tillotson of Ar
mand, his tone halting, "will you an
swer this?"
The young Frenchman's eyes were on
Anne with look ineffaDly tender
struggling with sudden anguishcd
shadow. White lines had fallen around
his lips.
"Colonel gentlemen" said
Foy, "there Is not particle of doubt
though the rascal has been clever
enough to deceive even his cXcellcncy.
Lack of proof has prevented his earlier
exposure. This man crossed on the
same ship as the nobleman he repre-
sents himself to be. The passengers of
the vessel knew him in his true char
acter."
"'Twas the Two Sisters Anne de-
clared. Her eyes sought out Cary.
"Why-why-yo We're on that ship!
You left her in Hampton Roads. You
must know. Tell him he lies!" Her
tone was certain and defiant.
Cary's lips twitched. He looked at
Armand where he stood straight and
quiet, his eyes on Anne's, and lie seem
ed again to see that 1.-THE form hurling
itself against the brutal mate of the
ship for the hurt of an outcast woman's
heart. He struggled against wish to
cry out that the matter was not his
business and fly. He dared not look at
Anne, knowing what he must see there
when he spoke.
"AIr. Cary was on the shipp asked
Foy distinctly.
Anne drew long breath, and a pal
lor suddenly struck her face. But she
bent forward and laid her hand on
Cary's arm.
"Answcr!" she babe him. "Who is
he?"
Cary raised his hand. "Hc Is q gen.
tleman, and he Is brave man. Be-
yond ask not!"
"1s lie the Marquis dc la TrouerieT'
Anne's voice was clear and firm.
"Iie was my fricnd!" cried Cary.
"Is he the Marquis de la TrouerieT
Cary's look turned to her. He saw
the grayncss in her cheek and the
brave light in her eyes burned his heart
cold. lie looked from side to sde-at
the sncering laugh of Foy, at the calm,
stern evenncss of Colonel TiIlotson, at
Anne's face, now grown deadly white.
as he the Marquis de la TrouericY'
answer, my friend" said Armand.
Cary's voice was husky as he spoke.
"IIe Is the marquis secretary" said he
The men standing nearest drew away
from Armand at this. Anne had given
ninching start as If smitten by the
flying terror of bullet. 1t seemed to
her that present, future, dreams, real
ity, heaven, earth, eternity, were all