Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-03-17
'-'''''''''U;; ;s4g &S
D'ri and | |
By IRVING BACHELOR
Author az Ebsn Holden" "Darrel Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
nanyrisht, 1901, by LothrOp Publishing Company }

annoy me. Go at once. and he went.
They covered our faces with nap
kins Of white linen. Then we heard
heavy steps, the clinll of scabbards on
a stairway, the feet of ladies, and the
swish of their gowns. With a quick
movement our faces were uncovered.
/ rose to my feet, for there before me
stood LOuison and the Baroness de
Ferre, between two guards. and, be-
behind them, Louise, her eyes
covered, her beautiful head bent
low. | could see that she was
crying The truth came to me
in flash of thought. They had been
taken after we left; they were prison.
ers brought here to identify us. A
like quickness of perception had ap-
parently come to all. We four stood
looking at one another with no sign
of recognition. My face may have
shown the surprise and horror in me,
but shortly | recovered my stony calm.
The ladies were dressed finely, with the
taste and care | had so much admired.
Louison turned away from me with a
splendid dignity and stood looking up
at the wall, her hands behind her, a
toe of one shoe tapping the floor i'm
patiently. 1t was a picture to remem-
Der a lifetime l could feel my pulse
quicken as ! looked upon her. The
baroness stood. sober-faced her eyes
looking down, her fan moving slowly.
His lordship rose and came to Lou
ise.
Come, now, my pretty prisoner; 1t
Is dlsagreeable, but you must forgive
me-" he said.
She turned away from him, drying
her eyes. Then presently their beauty
6hone upon me.
Grace au ciel!' she exclaimed, a
great JOY in her eyes and voice. 1T is
M'siem Bell. ster-baroness-it is
M'sieur Bell"
l advanced to meet her, and took her
hand, kissing it reverently. She COW
cred her face, her hand upon my Shout
der, and wept in silence. If it meant
my death, | should die thanking God
j knew, or thought | knew, that she
loved me.
"Ah, yes; it is M'sieur Bell-poor
fellow" said Louison, coming quickly
TO me And you, my dear, you are
Ma 'selle Louise"
She spoke quickly in French, as IL
quite out of patience with the poor di-
plomacy of her sister
81 knew it was you, for l saw the
emerald on your finger" she added,
turning to me, but I could not tell
her"
81 am glad I am delighted, that she
spoke to me-" | said. desired to save
the fair girl, whose heart was ever as
a childs, any sorrow for what she had
done. q was about to speak myself.
1t is so great a pleasure to see you all
/ could not longer endure silence"
'They made us prisoners; they
bring us here. Oh, m'sieur, it is terri
ble,' said the baroness.
And he is such horrible-loolling
monkey" said Louison.
"Do they treat you well?" I asked,
eve have q big room and enough to
eat. It is not a bad prison, but it
is one terrible phase" said the baron
ess. There is a big wall; we cannot
go beyond it."
-NHu lHdl many lHlhS' ne Is III
love with Louise He swears he will
never let us go" said Louison, in a
whisper, as she came close to me, ''un-
less she will marry him"
''Ah, q tca-party," said his lordship,
coming toward us. Pardon the in
terruption | have promised to re-
turn these men at nine. 1t is now 10
minutes of the hour Ladies, l wish
you all a very good night
He bowed politely. They pressed
my hand, leaving me with such anXi-
ETY. in their faces that felt it more
than my own peril. LoGison save me
a tender look out of her fine eyes, and
the thought Of it was a light to my
soul in many an hour of darkness.
she had seemed so cool, so nonchalant,
1 was surprised to feel the tremor in
her nerves. knew not words to say
when Louise took my hand.
Forgive me-good-by!" said she.
1t was faint whisper out of trem-
bling lips. 1t was lighted with trouble
and nobler beauty than | had ever
seen. 1t was full of tenderness and
pity and things | could not understand
Have cOurage!" | called as they
went away.
was never in such a fierce temper
as when, after they had gone above
stairs, | could hear one of them weep
ing. Dri stood quietly beside me, hi:
arms folded
'Whut we goin' t. dew with them all
women" he asked, turning to The
young man.
Il beg you will give me time to con
slider said his lordship, calmly, a!
ne lighted a cigarette.
There was a quick move in the hi!
tower of bone and muscle beside me
laid hold of D'ri's elbow and bad
him stop, or | fear his lordship'
drawing-room, his lordship, and our
selves would presently have had som
need of repair. Four guards VIII
seemed TO be waiting in the hall en-