Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-03

trials have bewildered you, and have
but one answer to your charge. You
have asked me again and again to-
TON short monsieur, are you still"
"Mademoselle de Rohan." cried de
vitre, clasping her hand, 'is twill
yo,l--"
Monsieur. esteem you, | regard
you, admire you. l am willing, with
the consent of my grandfather the mar
| ouis--to-be-"
Monsieur de Ramesay," cried do
Wire. turning to the little group, who
had been regarding the couple intent
ly, "Mademoiselle de Rohan makes me
the happiest of men! She deigns to
honor me by promising me her hand"
Look to your English friend, Mon
sieur do Wire" promptly answered the
governor, land quickly"
"Maledictions upon mel" cried de
Wire. kneeling beside the two SER
wants "a surgeon, quick!"
The physician. who had been previ-
ously summoned, was speedily forth
coming, and under his ministrations
| the flow of blood was staunched and
Grafton presently opened his eyes
again.
my friend" cried de Vitre, as Graf
| ton recovered consciousness, what
can l say? What can ! do to repay
you? On the ship yonder you saved
my life. A moment since, in this hall,
it is to you owe my greatest happi-
ness"
"And what is that?' whispered Graf
ton.
"Mademoiselle has consented to do
me the honor of becoming my wife"
"Ah!" exclaimed Grafton, as If
stricken again.
What is 1t, what is it," cried the
Frenchman, what can do?'
"You might have let me die, de Wire.
But there, it's nothing. Take me
hence"
Where will you be taken, mon
sieur?" asked the governor.
"He shall go back to my house." in
terrupted Anne, whence he came.
And you, Monsieur de Wire, will ac-
company"
"Your pardon, mademoiselle," said
de Ramesay, 81 believe Monsieur de
Wire to be innocent of all the charges
that have been made against him, but
my duty compels me to detain him in
the castle until can communicate
with the English. One of my aides will
accompany you home"
"'Tis useless, sir. have here a
faithful guard. If you will. have some
of your soldiers bring litter to carry
Monsieur Grafton, it will be enough"
watch over him well, mademoi-
selle!" cried de Wire. as the soldiers
bore him from the room. II owe him
understanding!
Trust me, monsieur" replied the
young girl. Monsieur lie Governor,
Lieutenant de Wire, gentlemen, bid
you adieu!"
With sweeping courtesy she left
the room.
/ Attended by Josette and guarded by
Jean-Renaud, with brimming eyes and
leaden heart in her bosom, sh q
walked by the litter as the soldiers
bore it through the street With down.
cast head she moved, yet no movement
of her wounded charge escaped her.
Grafton lay on the stretcher with his
eyes closed. Once, as the bearers
stumbled, he opened them with sharp
exclamation of pain. Instantly she
bent over him. AS her gaze fell upon
his face he slowly turned his head
away, as if the sight were too much for
him and he could not bear to look upon
| her.
"Are you In pain, MONSIEUR"
"Ah, Mademoiselle de Couedic!" he
answered, such pain as trust you
may never know"
"Why did you turn your head from
me?"
''Mademoiselle," he answered softly,
still not looking at her, II am thinking
of some pregnant words in an old book
which had read to me when was a
child"
"And those words, monsieur?"
"'Thou shalt not covet.' You un-
derstand the English" he whispered.
Il MISUNDERSTANDING, mon
sieur."
Monsieur de Vitre," said the gov
ernor, IF you give me your parole you
9ay have the freedom Of the chateau.
congratulate you st upon your ac-
Quittal, and more, monsieur, upon the
prize you lave gained. Faith, sir,
yours is like to be the one victory of
tho arms Of France!"
%;.t
! CHAPTER XVI. "t!;i,,