Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-21
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staying than III your going; tnat your
Obstinacy leaves me unprotected; that
your compliance would be boon to
me. by the memory of my mother,
by the truth of this holy boOk"-draw-
ing little volume passionately from
her bOsOm--"I swear to what have
told you" Eagerly her eyes met his
searching gaze. and he read in their
depths only truth and candor. IL
have quest for you. 1t concerns my
life, my happiness. All l have done
| for you has been for this end
Her eyes fell, but she raised them
again quickly. "Will you accept a
mission from one who is not prin
| cessT
"Name her notw exclaimed the jest.
er sharply, and then, recovering him
self, added less brusquely, What Is
it you want, mistress?"
This is no time nor place to tell it, v
she went ON rapidly, seeing by his face
that his dogged humOr had melted be-
fore her appeal, "but soon, before we
part, you shall know all-what it Is
wish to intrust in your hands,"
A moment she waited. "Your argu-
ment 8 una,iswerable, Jacqueline," he
said finally. II own myself puzzled,
but believe you, sO-have your way"
This cloak. then," handing him a
garment she had brought with her,
throw it over you," she continued
hurriedly. "If we meet any one it may
serve as a disguise. And here Is a
sword" bringing forth weapon that
she had carried concealed beneath a
flowing mantle. Can you use it?'
Il can but try, Jacqueline," he re-
piled, fastening the girdle about his
waist and half drawing and then
thrusting the blade back into the scab-
bard. ut seems priceless weapon
he added, his eye lingering on the rich
ly inlaid hilt, land has doubtless been
welded by gallant hand"
Speak not Of that" she retorted
sharply, strange flash in her eyes.
"He who handled it was the bravest,
noblest'- She broke of abruptly, and
they left the cell, he locking the door
behind him.
Down the dimly lighted passage she
walked rapidly. while the Jester tracta-
bly, and silently followed. Confidently,
knowing well the puzzling interior
plan of the old pile, she traversed the
Ill tn H.
out, finally pausing before small
door, which she tried.
Usually it is unlocked" she said in
surprise II never knew 1t fastened
before"
lis that our only way Out?"
"The only safe way. Perhaps one OF
the keys
But he had already knelt before the
door. and the young girl watched him
with obvious anxiety. He vainly es-
sayed all the keys save one, and that
he now strove to tit to the lock. 1t
Slipped in snugly and the stubborn
bolt shot back.
Entering. he closed the door behind
them and hastily looked around, dis
covering that they stood in crypt. the
central part of which was occupied by
burial vault. In the crypt chapels
were Il number of statues In marble
and bronze. most Of them rude. an
| tiuue, yet not of Indifferent workman
ship. especially one before which the
jcstress. in spite Of the eXigency OF
the moment, stopped as If impelled by
an irresistible impulse. This monu-
ment 80 read the inscription, had been
erected by the renowned constable OF
Dubrois to his young and faithful
consort Anne.
But Il part Of minute the girl
gaZed. with new and softened ex-
preston. upon the marble likeness OF
the last fair mistress Of the castle and
then hurredly crossed the old mosaic
pavement. reaching narrow flight OF
stairs, which she swiftly assembled. a
door that yielded to the FOOLS shoul-
der led into deserted court, Oh one
side of which were the crumbling walls
of the chapel Here several dark birds
perched uncannily on the dead branch
| of a massive oak that had been shat
tered by lightning. In its desolation
the oak might have been typical OF
the proud family, once rulers OF the
castle, whose corporeal strength had
long since mingled with the elements
This open space the two fugitives
quickly traversed, passing through
high arched entrance to an olden bridge
| that spanned u moat. Long ago had
| the feudal gates been Overthrown by
Francis, yet above the keystone ap
peared not the salamander, the kings
heraldic emblem, but the almost illegi
BILE device Of the old constable. Be
yond the great ditch outstretched
rolling country, on which the jestel
gazed with eager eyes, while his com
panlon swiftly led the way to clumI
of willow and aspen on the other side
Of the moat. Beneath the spreading
branches were tethered two horses
saddled and bridled. Wonderingly ht
glanced from them to her.
"From whence did you conjure them
gentle mistressT asked the fool.
nsome one knew placed then
there"
"But why two horses, good Jacque
llne?"
"Because am minded to show yo'
the path through the wood" she re
plied. "You might mistake 1t, AM
then my purpose would not be served
Give me your hand, sir. am won
to have my own way" And as he re
luctantly extended his palm she place.
her foot upon 1t, springing lightly I.
the saddle. "'Tis but a canter through
the forest. The day is glorious. ant
twill be rare sport"
Already had she gathered In the rein
and turned her horse, galloping dow
road that swept through a grove o
poplar and birch, and he after a mo
, ment's hesitation rode after her. Lik
one born to the chase she kept ne
seat. her 1.-the figure swaying TO IN
movements Of the steed. Soon Tn
brighter green Of her gown futtere'
amid the somber tinted pines and elm
: as the younger forest growth merge'
into a stern array Of primeval mor
nrchs. Here reigned an austere q
lence. a stiffness that now became tn
more S,artlingly broken.
"You ride farther, JacQueliner sal