Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-04-13

threshold-saw the heavy door close be-
hind her.
''You clod!' dubbed furious voice
behind him.
The young man turned composedly
us the figure came out of the darkness
of the highroad behind him.
'Ah, my Jarrat," he said, sis it you,
then?"
"Look you!" Jarrat's voice was
hoarse with passion. There are some
things that are denied you. This is one.
Be warned"
Warned? And by your" laughed
the other. You lay q law for me?
WhereforeT
"Our compact'-
"And do l not hold to it, 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
ed?"
Jarrat burst into laugh.
you! Why, you pitiful fool So
this is the why of such brave daring!
Insults, forsooth, and duels with gem
tlemen! A fine nobleman it is, to be
sure! Think you the toast Of Virginia
is to be charmed by your tinsel swash-
buckliag2 Think you that Mistress.
r-fr1UrsOn WOufu' low u.-ser eyes to you?'
"She has already lowered her eyes to
me, monsieur"
Il tell you I will have you keep your
clerks face elsewhere!"
"Clerk?" repeated the young man.
"No, no. Not clerk; nobleman, n
marquis-one of the high blood-a title
guaranteed Inc this morning by my
lord the Earl of Dunmore."
$50 that is it." jeered the other fierce
ly. "You think 10 wed n lady by this
brave masquerade. You dream"-
"Not by this masquerade-no," said
the Frenchman, n Frightening stain
coming to his face. "By only my heart.
By only what 1t holds, monsieur l
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 it would
be so-that she would regard me, me
just as am. When his eXcellency has
returned-when 1 am n nobleman-I
shall have this to remember-that it
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
l shall become"
"A title" prompted Jarrat, "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 n
cardinal. You would not cloud this
beaming favor of his with early fail
IRE. No, you will tell no one. A man
serves either love or ambition, and your
ambition is master. And L? l am not
worthy to kiss her hand No one on
earth, rich or proud as lie may be,
could think himself that But could
offer her more than you, for if had
the whole world 1 would give it all
wealth, name, ambition-just to be but
q vagabond on the street with her! No,
you will not tell her, monsieur, that
am not what may come to seem. You
will not tell her."
Jarrat's face pulpled.
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 Frenclman.
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?" lie scoffed, with dark smile
on his arrogant lips. "And l dare not
spoil your gay masquerade? l wouldn't
give pistole for your chances with
Foy. He will end you as lie would
undo an oyster. You made n mistake,
my new laid marquis, in soaring so
high, and worse one in Dragging Of
it. But for that touching scene in the
yard had stopped that laundering
idiot, but now he may spit you and
welcomed"
The rattle of departing hocfs had
scarce died away when Anne crept
softly down the stair of the inn. She
had donned q 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 flood 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 townfoli were gone
home. The long parlor was still and
dark. Through the open door Anne
could see the litter of tankards and