Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-06-08

yet the nODler latneE lies langulSnIng
in some Shiny dungeon. his services
unrewarded, his very name forgot.
Mon Dieu! and if it were not for my
oath and my fathers last words to
me that in the years to come the king
would need the service of every loyal
heart and wrist, | vow by Saint Denis,
and the finger bone of holy Sainte
Anne | saw at Rome, would try my
sword whether or no it could pierce
the stone you wear in place of heart
-Ha! | hear the sound of soldiers on
the stairs. To work, Pompon, and
may Saint Anthony of Padua carry us
through in safety"
A loud knock at the door and a gruff
voice crying. "Open, in the kings
name!" He hesitated, then began to
sing. A second call, more peremptory
than the first, followed
"Hola!" he exclaimed in q loud tone,
II believe / heard some one at the
door. Entrez! whoever you are" And
thus speaking, he turned his head and
looked over his shoulder at an officer
Of the guards who stood in the door
way, while the heads of three soldiers
were seen behind him.
"Diamine!" he cried in weIl-feigned
surprise. Soldiers! And led by my
old friend Bertrand. Sit here, mon
ami, and tell me how you came to find
me out"
The officer addressed, as fine speci-
men as any in the kings service, gave
him his hand and shook 1t heartily,
laughing as he did so.
Mon Dieu! Captain de Tonti,
where did you come from? You we're
far from my thoughts, mon ami, when
| entered. | knew not that you lodged
here. l am after different game. | am
on a hangman's errand That accursed
criminal that escaped in the crowd in
the square below is supposed to be in
hiding somewhere near, and l am de-
tailed to gi"H all the houses in the vi
cinity careful search. Have you seen
or heard anything of the rascally
rogue?"
Not I" said Tonti Neither rogue
nor rascal have l seen this day No
Jacopo and myself. We two are a
| jolly company. He has no tongue,
hence cannot answer back when scold
him. Wait until tell him to fetch
another glass. Hola! Jacopo! then
he muttered an Italian phrase that
was unintelligible to his companions
| At this the supposed servant arose,
and, placing a second glass on the
table, retired to his corner without
| n N OF
him sharply, then turned to Tonti and
said:
"Where got you yon pirate? From
one of your Mediterranean cam
paigns?"
Tonti noticed his glance, but said
nothing until he had carefully filled
his friends glass and then his own.
Ma fol! You would call him pirate
in truth did you but know his his
tory. Some day | shall tell it you
1t is too long to begin now. Dame!
but l believe l did hear some slight
sound on the roof an hour or more
ago. l thought it but the sCurrying of
rats; they are plentiful enough here,
God knows. Perchance, though, he
whom you seek is up there. Let your
men search the roofs and Chimneys
while you tarry here with me until
their return
The temptation was strong, and
Bertrand, after giving an order to the
men, sat down with his chair facing
the open door so that he could see if
any one appeared in the passageway.
"How like you my lodging?" cried
Tonti, merrily Il regret that the
tapestries and hangings are down to
be cleaned to-day, while the carved
furniture has all been sent to be pol
ished for levee l intend to bold next
week. Then, too, see what a view in
two directions. Fresh air is healthful,
my leech tells me, while the higher
! up one lives, the nearer Heaven. How
now, man, why so sad?" he continued,
as he saw that his companion did not
enter into the spirit of his talk
"Ah mel" sighed the burly guards
man. "Tis the same old tale: a pret-
ty face; an insolent fellows sneer; a
quarrel; a duel"
"Mordioux!" exclaimed Tonti, in
mock horror. know you not of the
/
shame, guardsman tool" and giving
way to burst of merriment, he
| laughed and beat the table with his
fist
you would have done the same
yourself" replied his friend, ruefully.
Such features! Such eyes! Such
teeth! What mischievous glances,
| and what slender waist"
Come, tell me all about it" argued
Tonti, as he realized the necessity of
keeping the guardsman interested un-
til the return of his men. ''Is she
court-bred?"
mo. Methinks a flower from Brit
tany or Poitou."
Tall, fair, and gentle-born?'
'Yes, and regal as a queen"
Her name?"
| 4. -.