The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-03-23


too, ii 1 have TO shoot every man who
attempts to prevent me. I'm desperate
man, desperate! She's everything in
the world to me, and I'll die before I'll
see her suffer-
QuinnoN calmly placed his hands on
the others shoulders, and, looking him
in the eye, said quietly:
"1Icr suffering 10 is rs nothing
compared TO what it will be If you &c
back to the tower. You forget how
much pain she is enduring to avoid
that very suffering. If you care for my
mistress, sir, add ito weight to the bur
den h already carries. Remain here,
as she desires. You can be of no serv.
ice down there. / implorc you to he
considcrate."
1t was an eloquent appeal, and it
struck home. Lorly wavcrcd, but his
resolution would not weaken. He ar
gued first with QuinnoX, thcn with
himself, finally returning to the rcck-
less determination TO brave all and
ave her from herself. The soldier
begged him to listen to reason, I'M
plorcd him to reconsider. Mt last turn
ing in anger upon the stubborn Amer
lean with Il torrent OF maledictions.
Lorry heard him through and quietly,
unswcrvingly, announced that he was
ready 10 leave the monastery at any
time his guide cared to depart. Quin-
noX gave up in despair at this, gazing
hopclcssly ut the man he had sworn to
protect, who insisted on placing his
head in the lions jaw. He sat down
ut the window and murmurcd detect
edly:
"What will she say to me-what will
she say to mc?'
81 shall cNoncratc YOU, captain. She
can have no fault to find with your ac-
tion after l have told her how loyal
YOU arc and how-liow-wcll. how UNI
reasonable | am" said L.orry kindly.
you may never live to tell her this,
sir. Then what is 10 become of me? /
could not look her in the face again. I
could only dicw
"Don't be so faint hearted, Quinnoxr'
cried I.orry, stimulated by the desire
to be with her, recognizing no obstacle
that might thwart him in the effort.
well get through safe and sound,
and we'll untanglc n few complications
before we reach the end OF the book.
Brace up, for heavens sake, for mine,
for hers, for your OWN. must get
10 her before everything is lost. The
fear that she may marry Gabriel will
drive me mad il I an left here an
other night. Come, Let us prepare to
start. We must notify the abbot that
minutes. Ic gods, think Of what She
may be sacrificing for mo-"
I0rry soon was attircd in the guards
uniform he had worn from the tower
Il month before. His pistol was in his
pocket, and the bunch OF violcts So
lad sent to him that very night was
pinned dciantly above his heart. Quin-
o smiled when he observed this bit
Of sentiment, and grimiy Informed him
thai lie was committing an act pro-
liibited in Dangloss' disciplinary rules.
Officers OH duly were not to wear
noscGays.
"nanSloss Will not sec my violcts.
by The way, the moon shines brightly,
doesn't IT,
at is almost us light as day. Our
trip is made extremely hazardous inI
that reason. / am sorcly afraid, rasi,
ST., that we n reach the castle
unseen"
1--WE must go about IL boldly; that's
ALL
"iIas it occurred TO YOU, sir, that you
are placing mo in q terrible pos ion?
What excuse can / have, Il captain OF
the guard, for Sinking about at night
with a man whom / am supposed to be
tracking to Garth? Discovery will
brand me as Il traitor. | cannot deny
the charge without exposing her royal
higllncss."
Lorry turned cold. I1o had not
thought OF this alarming possibility.
But his ready wit came again to his
relief, and with bright, confident eyes
he swept away the obstacle.
"If discovered, you are at once to
proclaim me a prisoner, take tho credit
for having caught me and claim the
reward"
"In that case you will not go to the
castle, but to the tower"
mot If you obey orders. The offer Of
reward says that 1 must be delivered
to the undersigned. You will take me
to her and not to the tower"
| G''hioN pIiiicV llu tIEcW up lib
hands as If unable to combat the quick
logic of his companion. Together they
made their way to the prior's cell, aft
erward to the abbot's apartment. 1t
was barely IL o'clock, and he had not
retired. He questioned Quinnox closely,
babe IOrry farewell and blessed him,
sent his benediction to the princess
and ordered them conducted to the
gates.
Ten minutes later they stood outside
the wall, the great gates having been
closed sharply behind them. Above
thnm hung the silyery moon, full and
bright, throwing It's refulgent splendor
over the mountain top with all tho
brllliancy Of day. Never before had
Lorry c @ the moon SO accursedly
| bright.
"Gad, it 1. like day" he exclaimed.
"As i told you, SIR" agreed the other.
reproof In his voice.
I'VE must wait until the moon goes
down. 1t won't do to risk it now. Can
we not go somewhere to keep warm
for an hour or SOL"
There Is n cave farther down the
mountain. Shall we take the chance of
reaching itT