Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
CHAPTER v.
The Tigers Claws.


''Why not take counsel of the duchess
She is true friend of yours, Gabrielle, and
a good woman"
"It is a good thought. l will go to her
today. l would give half my wealth to do
what he proposes-to have voice even for
no more than a short time in governing
the people. l could do so much good"
Would he keep his word. think you? /
do not trust him. Truth and honor are not
counted among his parts"
Have you made a guess at his purpose
and withhold it from me?" She asked so
directly that Lucette WINGED, fearing that
her own fears might be OWNED. She took
shelter quickly in subterfuge, and, lower
ing her eyes, she dropped her head on Ga
brielle's shoulder and said. with a deep
sigh:
Il am plagued with a fear off, know
not what" answered Lucette, signing dis
mally. Il wonder where Denys has gone"
He will come back, and as you are al
ways telling me, all Will come right again"
She smiled but the smile ended in some
thing like a sigh.
She was indeed sorely perplexed by the
course matters were taking, and although
she would not acknowledge it, Lucettes
warming had moved her.
Her pride of family alone had induced
her TO think OF accepting the husband
whom her mother had chosen for her: but
II was not In human nature to acQuiesce
without doubts and hesitation.
And despite her resolute efforts the rec
objection of the strong cavalier of the mar
ket place. with the clear, steadfast blue
eyes. would force itself upon her again and
again.
Twice she sent to inquire II Denys had
returned, pretending, even while despising
herself for the pretence. that it was for
Lucette's sake: and when noon came and
passed and he had not returned, she mask
ca cd her own disappointment under a concern
But he did return at last desnite tho
dukes plans against him. Unconscious of
the danger in which he rode he had by a
shiahce change or direction evaded the two
men sent to waylay him. and they had only
ascertained the fact in time to admit their
Following him to Malincourt in hot haste
and mortal fear of the governors anger
Ihey had wandered into a distant part
or the grounds when Gabrielle caught sight
OF him pricking fast toward the maison.
ana she was at great pains to conceal the
start she gave on seeing he was alone She
told herself that she was glad he brought
no one with him; but little singing stab
OF disappointment deep down in her heart
and an eager, hungry desire to learn the
news he brought told a different story.
Then Lucette caught sight of him.
Look, Gabrielle. look. There rides De-
nys, she cried excitedly.
Il will leave you to meet him, coz; and
take my advice cease to play this foolish
game with him.
There are two other cavaliers riding this
way, Stlu luCetle suddenly, ana Spurrlng
hard in urgent haste, it would SEEM
Had they not been so intent in watching
these and speaking of Denys they would
have seen yet another cavalier who stepped
for a moment from a belt of trees, looked
eagerly in their direction, and then hurried
ly hid himself.
Gabrielle quite unconscious of this, con-
tinued to urge Lucette to wait alone for
Denys and seek to make her peace with
him. But Lucette was obstinate; and when
at length she caught sight of Denys in the
distance, dust-stained with his long ride,
walking in their direction, she drew Ca
brielle hurriedly behind clump of trees
into hiding.
we will see what he does she whisper
ed excitedly. Il shall know by his face
what mood he is in
When Denys reached the spot where they
had been he paused and looked about him.
1T was here l saw her, I'll swear" he
said aloud to himself. Il marked that old
chestnut tree" and he glanced at it.
(Which way can she have gone? Lu-
cette." he called, in loud voice. "Lu-
cette." AS he looked about him he backed
close to the low trees behind which the
two girls stood. She can't have wan
dered far. Lucette-Lucette," he called
again, and waited for his voice to come
echoing back.
Then Lucette, whose face had bright
ened at hearing him call for her, plucked
a rose from her bosom and tossed it SO
that 1t fell upon him in it's course to the
ground. He picked it up and smiled.
"A rose from an almond tree" he said,
aloud. Surely something of strange
portent. Where are you, Lucette; little
witch, that changes the natural blooms
of treeP'
Lucette looked through the bushes.
Il have dropped my rose m sieu. May /
trouble you? All, NJ Denys. is 1T your"
with a start of pretended surprise
'Lucette," he said. passonately.
Have you forgotten what you said last
night? Did you not ride off this morning
without a word-a single word? Do you
,, ftNlx for iva ell
Il can answer that, Denys," said Gabri-
ellie. stepping out now from her place of
concealment. She was anxious to end the
quarrel and learn the news he brought.
she has forgiven you and is sorry for
what she did She has been heart broken
all the morning at your absence"
Gabrielle, /" began Lucette in pro-
test
1T is true, Denys. every word. So make
your peace with her. Come, Lucette, be
true to yourself"
"Peacemaker as usual. mademoiselle,"
cried Denys, with a happy, grateful smile.
Indeed, indeed, II is nothing of the
sort. Denys said last night that"
Never mind what said In my anger.
Lucette; | am sorry"
But II was so causeless. so unjust, So
so horrible" and she put her hands to her
ears as If in horror at the mere recollec-
ton.
Denys captured them then in his strong
hands and held her a prisoner while Ga
brielle turned away.
Let me go, Denys, let me go; how dare
YOU cried Lucette, II in anger and
commenced to struggle tapping her foot
and averting her head as he strove to
kiss her. Let me go, i say"
Not till you say all that foolish quarrel
is over and you have kissed me-"
Il will not. / Will not Let me GO" she
cried, keeping up the pretense of anger
They We're struggling in this way when
a wholly unexpected interruption came
How dare you treat n girl like that?"
demanded mans voice; and Antoine de
Cavannes, followed by Henri d'Estelle
who had logged Denys footsteps rushed
up and laid violent hands on his shoulder
on, it's you, Lucette," continued Antoine
In anger and surprise. why didn't you
call me?"
Denys frowned darby He released I,u-
cette, who fell back a step or two in dis
concerted amaZement
This is no concern of yours. gentlemen"
said Denys.
Indeed, but IL is. No cowardly cur shall
maltreat a girl in our presence: en- dEs-
teller The two men exchanged meaning
glances.
BE careful of your words, m sieu. If you
please" said Denys, his hand going invol-
UNFAIRLY to his sword belt.
Careful with a blackguardly girl-beater
like you? Be of about your business and
leave mademoiselle with me-"
by Godr' cried Denys under his breath,
you shall eat those words. or 1 am no
man"
out on you for brapeart" said An