The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-17
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CHILDREN OF THE BLAt

~ k4-1L
According to the governors recollec-
ton, had been gone only a short space
When a perenptory knock came upon his
door. He opened 1t, and there stood the
Chevalier de la Mora. dishevelled and
with evidences of haste, buc courteous as
was his wont.
II desire to speak with Captain de
Mouret, at once, at once"
THAT you cannot do; he has gone.
Chevalier. I an astonished. Had I not a
gentleman's parole hat you should re-
main in your house this night?"
You had, sire. but the conditions were
urgent. and see. I nave sought Captain
de Mouret without arms. so no breach
could occur between u.s."
NJ. lie chevalier de Mou-
ret has consented to leave this colony to-
night, and before the day dawns he will
doubtless be many miles away.
The %chevalier heard like one dumb and
undecided, a great doubt Juggling at his
heart. He departed unsteady in the a.
rection of the barracks.
Here. my good fellow, hast seen Can
tain de Mouret2" he inquired of a strag-
gler.
The man saluted.
Yes. sire, he but lately went the path
towards the Bay"
How long since?"
"A bare quarter OF an hour. He was
dressed for the forest n went alone"
During this while I, Placide de Mouret
stranger and outcast, sat upon a grassy
hillock awaiting Pachaco with his boat
The echoes of my horn had died away In
the night, and soon after J caught the
sound of running feet. and heard a mans
voice calling my name as he ran. To my
utter astonishment it was the clevalier
GREATNESS from his speed.
rs 1t you-Captain de Mouret?"
1T :~s-Chevalier." 1 replied, uncertain
at the first who the mar could be.
Seeing him in such a state of mind ]
knew the struggle had come. There be-
times in every mans life when he recks
lightly Of consequences, and this was no.
my night for caring. L had. in a measure
run away thus far from him. and he, no
content with this, had pursued me pas
the limit of forbearance. So ANTICIPATING
his own action. | began carefully to TAXI
off my own coat, and remembered witt
pleasure that it was not a slight rapiel
which now hung confidently By my side
No, captain, not that. 1 have sought
you this time In peace. See, L have n,
weapons"
suiting the gesture 10 the speech, he
flung wide his arms, and showed hlmsel.
u~nprepared for battle.
Captain. you and l ave fought side by
side. You are a man of courage, and Il
you have injured me you Will render m,
due account upon my demand. j do de,
mand this of you now that you return
with me to Biloxi at once, upon my as.
surance as a soldier tina no harm vii
there befall you. This, sir, upon a sol
dier's honor"
1t was a most unexpected outcome t.
seuch an interview. l hesiiated warily a
his request. and then thinking it coult
make matters no worse. inquired:
"IIow long will you require me, and 70,
what purpose?'
The time Will be most brief. a momen
should suffice. The purpose i canno
ger. l repeat. upon the word of a maj
of honor. that you will be permitted t.
return safely as you came, and no on,
will follow"
1 must say. In spite of these protests
I did not want to so. But he pressed hi
wish SO earnestly hat l followed tn
chevalier down the winding path back t
Biloxi, not without great trepidation. how
ever. He walked rapidly in front, an
not a word was exchanged between us
We passed the barracks and the cover
! nor's house, where l thought to stop, hu
he led me on. Leaving the thicker por
tions of the little town, he soon pause,
before his own gate and swung 1t oper
The wild thought now entered MY brai
that perhaps he had planned some tcrrlbl
revenge upon his wife, and desired t
torture me by forcing ME to witness fl
l hung back at the gate. My own goo
sword treasured me, and he mounted tn
step to throw open the door.
Come in, captain. l regret Ii l can
not give you a more sincere welcome
Truly, there was nothing in the aspec
/! of the room to cause alarm. Two ladie
We're inside, che at either end of a sim
| pie working table-Agnes and anothe
lady, about her own figure, whom 1 di
| not know. The elder woman locke
straight in my face with an anxious all.