Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-20

j But few moments, Monsieur lie
Marquis"
"Did any one come in while you
were here?"
mo, monsieur"
"You have been faithful servant
for SO years, you would not lie to me.
ask you again, did anyone come while
you were here"'
mo. monsieur"
your pardon, de Chabot," inter
rupted the Comte de Kersaint, let
me ask another question. Jean-Re-
maud, was there any one here besides
mademoiselle and her maid when you
came in?"
The Breton looked stubbornly at the
sailor.
"You are not my master, Monsieur
de Kersaint," he answered.
Answer his question, Jean-Re-
maud" said the marquis sharply.
The old man stared at the two gen.
tlemen in silence.
Answer it to me, then"
The lips of the old servant remained
sealed.
"You dog!" shouted the marquis fu-
riously, How dare you disobey my
orders! And to what end? Your ST.
lence proves that sorse one was here.
Who was it? Speak, command you!
On your allegiance, by your faith,
by the duty you owe me, I charge
you. I wish to know VINO was here.
will know it! Ten thousand devils!"
he roared, exasperated beyond meas
ure at the mans stubborn silence.
Twill you speak, or not? AS God hears
me, if you do not answer immediate
ly, shall pass my sword through
you"
THAT is as monsieur pleases," an
swered Jean-Renaud sturdily. mon
sieur is a gentleman, and am only
a Breton peasant. but have my ideas
of honor, too. Serving monsieur and
his son for so years in this house
how could it be otherwise? And my
honor bids me be silent Monsieur
may kill me, I am his man, my life
is his, but monsieur can not make me
speak,"
Furious with rage the marquis short.
ened his arm and drew back his
sword.
Strike not, de Chabot!" cried de
Kersaint interposing, laying his hant
upon the Others arm. What need
IT'S certain some one is here. The 81
Ience of the maid, the acquiescenc'
of mademoiselle, and the refusal o
this old man to confirm or deny, prov,
it beyond doubt. There is no ext
from this or the other chamber, If
remember the castle, save by the dool
through which we came. The mar
or woman must be there. Let III
search. Honor your servant for his an
| cient fieelity, de Chabot He would
l not betray woman. There is some
one here-some one in the room O.
> the woman I love, the woman who i:
this night plighted to me. Let u.
!, search. That door, yonder? What room
is that?"
"Monsieur." cried Anne, stepping
J. across to the door, her face af1ame
"tis my bed-chamber. You may no
! pass within it but over my BODY"
She had not remembered de Wire
but she was on fire to protect Grafton
Yet it was desperate, a hopeless sit
: uation. No matter, she would figh
for him to the end-they should no
1 harm him.
"Mademoiselle, assure me on tn
honor of a de Rohan that there is NJ
one there and I withdraw"
She endeavored to speak, vainl.
moistening her dry lips, but she coul,
not, so she stood silent and determine,
between him and the door benin
:, which Grafton, his sword out, his bloo
up, was in readiness to make dasl
for liberty But his time was no
! yet.
% Enough, de Kersaint," exclaime
L the marquis, you may not enter thos
sacred precincts, but I, an old mar
3 grandfather to this hayward chile
~ may go anywhere. Stand aside, Anne
or"
Mercy! mercy!" cried the CIR
dropping to her knees before the dool
~ Mere de Dieu! Help me, have pit
:, upon mel"
ooh, he is in there, then? A me
- ment, de Kersaint, and you shall hav
- him before your sword" cried the mai
quis springing forward.
f. Grafton thought his hour was com,
pn But no, not yet!
Search no farther" exclaimed
IN sharp voice from the other side of tn
10 room, as de Wire, pale as death, thre'
g down the screen and revealed himsel
~ He had heard ALL OWNED all Ann
as loved him not. He would sacrifie
himself for her, for her lover, pay bac
of some of the debt he owed to ORATOR
tb "Oh, thank God, thank God!" erie
in Anne, rising to her feet and shrinkir
to back against the door-frame
he Monsieur de Vitre!" the marqu
called out, in great surprise.
IS. Capt de Wire, by heaven, what {
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