The Elbert County tribune., 1905-01-05

slip from your memory, l viii gire
you this ring Of mine" and she drew
one from her finger. Il wish you to
wear 1t. and to think It says always.
'RoseIle de Cazeneau gave me to you;
and she will always pray for you
that you may be gallant gentleman.
loyal to what is true and right Will
you have the ring say this to your"
Her words touched deeply the boys
chfyalric. impulsive nature; and bend
ing over the hand that profYered the
ring, he pressed his lips to the jew
eled fingers.
Thank YOU" he said. as. now with
smile. she slipped the little circlet
upon the fourth finger OF his left
hand; and the touch OF her own. warm
and gentle. sent a thrill of delight
through his young veins.
Il shall never forget you" he de-
clared. looking up into her face; land
no matter what or where ! may be,
you and yours will always have my
love and service"
1T is now my turn to thank you,"
she said "for'-and far-seeing look
chased the smile from her eyes
who shall say but that I or mine
may call upon you to make good your
promise?"
Before he could reply, they were in
terrupted by the entrance of Laro,
with Thiel close behind him: and fol.
lowing the two was Pierre. who with
open eyes and mouth stared about
him wonderingly-
Laro gave his orders hastily, but
clearly. after which he turned to
Pierre. who stood near him.
Good night, my boy: l am sorry
you are not to go with me. for would
like greatly to have your stout heart
and strong arm aboard the 'Aigle.'-
You will come with me next timer"
laying his hand on the boys shoul
der
Jean remained silent, standing with
lowered eyes, while the bell tangled
second time.
"rll be in this port again within
two years." added Laro, 'and then
am sure you will be ready to come
with me. Until then, dear lad. good
night" And he moved away, mo
tioning for the others to follow.
Good night. Jean. and adieu." said
Roselle, as she was about to pass
him. ''Do not forget me. nor what l
have said to you"
She was gone. leaving the boy
standing mute, sensible OF the odor of
violets, and regretting ruefully his in
ability to have acknowledged her gra-
cious farewell. But the sound of
Thiel's voice soon aroused him from
his self-reproachings
Come" the landlord said sharply
come with me-"
The hooks of rope ladder were
soon fastened into two iron rings bolt.
ed to the rock. A coil of rope was
then put through the opening, and
lowered carefully, until Laro. who
kept hand upon it. felt it grow taui
with pull from below.
Good night again. boy my. heart
is sorry to leave thee behind, 1fhe saic
to Jean, who was close to him. Good
by, again. and goo~ luck,"
He had. while speaking, stepped
through the opening, and. as the fare
well came from his lips-dlsappeare
down the ladder.
Ropes were fastened unuer lne
arms of the young girl and of her
maid. One of the counts friends fol.
lowed Laro; then the maid after him;
next the count himself. and then his
daughter. the two remaining gentle
men going last of all.
There was no sign of fighting when
Jean and Pierre left LIE Chen Heu-
reux that night; and the sough of
the rising wind was all that broke
the silence.
Next time I will surely CO." Jean
said to himself. as he and Pierre, af.
ter putting out the light which Mar.
got had left for them. took of their
shoes and crept softly upstairs to their
respective bedrooms. "Laro said he
would return within two years; and
in two years l shall be larger. and
she will not call me a boy. will go,
and I will find her."
(To be continued.)