The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-24

thioWE ~ over you, Sne continued
hurriedly. "If we meet any one 1t may
serve as disguise. Aid here is a
sword" bringing forth n weapon that
she had carried concealed beneath a
flowing mantle. "Can you use it?"
Il can but try, Jacqueline," he re-
piled, Fastening the glrdle about his
waist aud half drawing and then
thrusting the blade back into the scab.
bard. 1T seems priceless weapon"
he added. his eye lingering OH the rich
iy inlafd hilt, land has doubtless been
welded by a gallant hand"
Speak not of that" she retorted
sharply, strange fash In her eyes.
He who handled it was the bravest,
noblest"- She broke off 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
iaByrlnth that was to lead them with
out, finally pausing before a small
door, which she tried.
Usually 1t Is unlocked" she said in
surprise. II never knew it fastened
before"
is 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
ne now strove to fit 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 n crypt. the
central part of which was occupied by
q burial vault. In the crypt chapels
were number of statues in marble
ana bronze, most of them rude, an
tique, yet not Of Indifferent workman
ship, especially one before which the
Jestress, In spite of the exigency of
the moment, stopped as IL impelled by
IN 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 part Of n minute the girl
gazed, with n new and softened ex-
preston, upon the marble likeness Of
the last fair mistress Of the castle and
ther hurriedly crossed the old mosaic
pavement, reaching n narrow flight of
stairs, which she swiftly ascended. A
door that yielded to the FOOLS shoul-
Der led into q deserted court, on one
side Of which were the crumbllng walls
Of the chapel. Here several dark birds
sperched uneannily on the dead branch
of n massive oak that had been shat
tered by lightning. In its desolation
the oak might have been typical Of
the ptend family, once rulers of the
castiesS~hose corporeal strength had
sonS since mingled with the aln,,.n-t-
This open, space rne two fugittyes
quickly trHversed. passing through a
high arched entrance to an olden bridge
that spanned moat. Long ago had
the feudal gates been overthrown by
Francis, yet above the keystone ap-
peared not the salamander, the king
heraldic emblem, but the almost illegi-
BILE device of the old constable. Be-
yond the great ditch outstretched a
rolling country, on which the jester
gazed with eager eyes. while his COM
panion swiftly led the way to clump
Of willow and aspen on the other side
Of the moat. Beneath the spreading
branches were tethered two horses,
saddled and bridled. Wonderingly he
glanced from them to her.
HErnp, xx,hanoa Aia ro,, oo,, t,,ro kA>r.
gentle mistress?" asked the fool.
Some one I knew placed them
there"
But why two horses, good Jacque.
liner"
Because i am minded to show you
the path through the wood" she re
piled. "You might mistake II, and
then my purpose would not be served
Give me your hand, sir. am wont
to have my own way" And as he re-
iuctantly extended his palm she placed
her foot upon 1t. springing lightly to
the saddle. "'Tis but canter through
the forest. The day is glorious, and
twill be rare sport"
Already had she gathered In the reins
and turned her horse, galioping down
a road that swept through a grove OF
poplar and birch, and he after a mo
ment's hesitation rode after her. Like
one born to the chase she kept hel
seat, her 1.-the figure swaying to the
movements Of the steed. Soon the
brighter green Of her gown fiuttered
amid the somber tinted pines and elms
as the younger forest growth merged
into stern array Of primeval mon.
archs. Here reigned an austere 81.
lence. a stiffness that now became the
more startlingly broken.
"You ride farther, Jacqueliner' said
the fool.
"a little farther"
'It will be far to return" he pro,
tested.