Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-18
40. monselsneur."


; boys magnetic glance. I'VE nev
!, saw him before"
, Come here, my bold fellow. Whe
do you come FROM"
] From the forest OF Montagnole. "
i But before that?'
From the caves Of Angles. "
! Where did you get that hanged,
look? Have you been poaching on O.
4 lands?"
i have no other trade. captain"
At this unexpected reply, so quiet
made, a stupor fell upon all in Il
room; Amalric himself was disarme
blythe boys audacity.
"Ventre-Mahon!' he growled, ha
laughing and half angry; you sha
enter my service. My war page Il
himself get hung at La Salvetat. d
you want his place? But, braggar
are you truly willing to go to the Re
Gibbet' to-nightY
II am"
"Alone?"
Alone"
How shall I know it?"
II will wait for you there, since yol
are to pass that way in an hour"
"The wolves will leave nothing Of
you except. your carcass"
"You might lend me your gum"
so you know how to handle that
plaything, do you? Let me see you
load 1t, YOU rascal"
The boy. smiled confidently; he
grasped the sheavy weapon with the
dexterity of AN old soldier; to the
officers surprise he unloaded 1t, then
reloaded 1t, all the maneuvers being
80 manifestly familiar to him that
Amalric could not help showing adj
miration.
If you can shoot the gun as we'll
Is you load It," he cried, 1T would not
'e pleasant to be your target! At 40
faces you must be able to blow the
Iernel out of nut, or the brains out
# trespasser.
Easily, monseigneur."
"And at the first shot you could bring
own the most nimble game, I'll wa
err"
Dozens Of your hares could bear
fitness to that, monseigneur," replied
ne young poacher, strangely bent on
revocation as bold as 1t was uncalled
IT. This was the master-stroke. The
rinkers exchanged glances of con-
,ernation and terror at the furious
fpression on the face of the Seigneur
, Vabre.
"Viper!" he shouted, you shall join
le old woman on the Red Gibbet,
18th a cravat of hemp, just like hers"
e rose as he spoke, and stood threat
lingly over the boy, who made no eff
TT to avoid the soldiers raised fist.
nalric paused in establishment at this
flance. why do you confess all
is to me, you robber?" he asked at
igth, inwardly pleased at such
splay Of courage. Il like brave
arts, you suit me perfectly. Here's
3 gun; wait for me out there. II
. wolves press you too hard climb
on the arm Of the gallows; the old
tch will keep you company. I'll
rrant she'll not be laxative, but
her presence annoys you, send her
o the Agout with kick!"
Fhe boy became livid; his lips treln-
d and his eyes fairly blazed. He
lsped the gun offered him, and with
a word went out into the clear,
sly night.
BY Hercules!" cried Amalric; {
ere's man for you, you towards!
ats what I call having heart In I
Is breast and blood in ones veins" q
me of the peasants now yentured to C
II a reply. which somewhat dis a
bed the adventurous cavalier. ITO n
sure, monseigneur! But there's a n
nish musket. too. which you will
badly never see on your rack again" Q
What do you mean? Do you think D
that young rascal" Y
Il was a clever wayNfor him to get N
arms. At anN rate, the gun Is in y
lful hands, as your wild boars will, "
W to their cost" =,
malric half credulous, now swore o
a pagan. But where could he go ! :,
earch for the robber? He drank :,
hot wine, and no one dared risk -
'perating him further. When he L.
well warmed, he wrapped his cloak =. =,
1t him, leaped into his saddle, and - -
away In the moonlight. Reas- =.
d by his departure, the other guests ~,
med their carousal, while THE -
lie anxiously listened for sounds
ide.
nalric rode along at brisk pace
the snow already hardened by the dr.
Use cold. The moon shone brightly sa
g pale sky, The roaring and rush so
Agout flowed rapidly along. The tn
nuous, mournful bowling of dr.
es, repeated by the echoes Of the th
itain, sounded like lament over ms
buried landscape. The horse, not fie
covered from the fright received up
the Therondel wolf, SHE'D at its
Isolated bush and every dark wa
In the road. Guided by hand of ma
he fairly few along the dangerous wi
pices. enl
reassHre himself. he whistled the up
an old Venetian march. not with at
many false nofaa howaxar III he,