Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-02-12

TOWARD the close of day the now
ceased falling, the vino suddenly
veered into the north, and its gusts
cut like blows ron a switch. Night
fell, the silver light of the winter
moon flooded the sky, lit up the err
mine helmets of the Vabre and of
Banignac, and was reflected from the
i]ce-covered rocks OF the gorge which
overhung the raging Agont.
Just az the door of a wayside inn
opened with a great rafting of chains,
and the landlady stepped out on the
threshold, Il horseman rode around a
turn in the road, and stopped in front
OF the door of the village inn, his
horse snOrting with terror. The wo-
man hastily summoned a servant,
while the traveller, dismounting, ex-
claimed. brusquely: "Hallo! Here's
Joue-en-Fleur. Wine and fire, my
good woman. Tell your boy to give
my horse IA bo,intiful supper, and to
see whether he Is not wounded in the
flank
Holy Mother" cried T%hiebaude;
what a plight you are in, srigneur!
Your corselet and sleeves and even the
Lnot on your sword-hilt, are dyed with
blood ana Dirt
May Astaroth choke every beast of
them" shouted Amalric. "They have
ruined my best doublet. ! look more
horrible than the Vabre butcher"
Angry and crcstfallcn, the reistcr
laid his heavy gun on the table, and
sat down before the roaring fire
genuine Christmas blaze. lialf Il
dozen caro,Iscrs, sitting at one end OF
the room, resumed their interrupted
game OF cards, whispering timidly tC
each other, as il they stood in W OF
tho newcomer, When his steaminp
drink was set before him. Amalric
related his adventure to the hostess
SIT is a bright night, to be sure
on account OF the noon. But what
road, vcntrc de lezard-cha5ms, tor
rents. prccipiccS, snOwdriitS, ana, ir
the ravincs. all the wolves in &c.
venues, ticrCcr and StubbOrncr than
the Calvinists, After | left Nabre
they cOntcnted Themselves with fol
LOWING me. WATCHING for "A misstcp q
my horse. Near T%hcrondcl, | had tC
slackcn my speed a little, as 1t would
have been suicide to travel fast. Their
"A famished creature lcapcd on Argant!
back and | had trouble in getting hin
oft: | had TO use my dagger. And loOl
at the tOurteauX IN my dOuhlcL, At
distance, one would take me for Gull
lauIne de Moatpcllicr's herald"
Some of the players, leaving th'
game. had drawn near the fircside
One Of them even ycntured TO raise hi
voice and question the formidable
rci8tCr.
Acknowledgement, do you think il wOul'
be unsafe TO 90 to Albisn!"r Tonight
you would certainly never reach tn
end OF your journey, whether you tray
clcd on foot or horseback. Stay here
If You value your rustic hides: JOue-en
Eleur can say your midnight mass TO
you"
isn't our lOrdship going TO Orde
a batiuc sOon for the famished beasts?
"The first one will be called befor
the Epiphany; all the, wolf hunters O
the neighborhoOd will then be sum
moned."
"But II monseigneur would conde
scend to put himself at the head OF GU
rabattcurs tomorrow"
Silence, knave. l hunt with you
See those cowardly faces, Joue-en
Flcur." exclaimed Amalric, with in
snlting contempt. as there a man her
who could pass the Red Gibbet at nigh
without dying with fear?'
A thrill OF terror passed over tn
audience; herds dropped: no one re
piled.
THE Red Gibbet." exclaimed tn
hostess, crossing herself; but it is
Occupied! know that very well
II was about Q week ago-wasn't it,