Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-11

tory was won. IS mere nothing else: Have you no other penance for me-"
 sss.None, Mademoiselle.
 She had drawn the shawl over her ,head and I no longer saw her face That is all you ask?" she murmured
 That is all ask-now," I an- swered
 ''It is granted" she said slowly and
 firmly. Forgive ne if I seem to speak lightly-if seem to make little of your generosity or my shame; but can say no more now. I am so deep in trouble and so gnawed by terror that--I can not feel anything much tonight, either shame or gratitude. I am in dream. s God grant it may pass as dream! We are sunk in trouble. But for you ana atwhat you have done, M. de fBarthe--I I
 -.a= - she paused and heard her fight ing with the sobs which ohoked her ] forgive me. .., I an overwrought And my--,ny feet are cold she added suddenly and irrelevantly "W,ill you take me home?'
 2 "Ah. Mademoisalle, cried re- morsefully, T have been a beast! You are barefoot and I nave kept you { here" .a........ !. Tt is nothing" she said in a voice which thrilled me. My heart is warm, Monsieur-thanks to you. It is many ' hours since it has been as warm" { She stepped out of the shadow as she spoke-and there, the thing was done. As had planned, so it had come about. , Once more was crossing the meadow in the dark to be received at Coche- . foret a welcome guest The frogs , croaked in the pool and a bat swooped round us in circles; and. surely never never, 1 thought, with a kind Of exultation in my breast-had man been placed in a stranger position. .s.a
 Somewhere in the black wood be hind us-probably in the outskirts of the village-lurked M de Cocheforet. In the great house before us, outlined by score of lighted windows, were the soldiers come from Auch to take him. Between the two, moving side by side in the darkness, in a silence which each found to be eloquent, were mademoiselle and I: she who knew so much. I who knew all-all but one lit tie thing!
 We reached the house and I sug- gested that she should steal in first by the way she had come out, and that l should wait little and knock at the door when she had had time to explain matters to Clon.
 "They do not let me see Clon," she answered slowly. . Then your woman must tell him, rejoined. "0r he may say something and betrav me"
 "They will not let our woman come to us"
 "What?" I cried, astonished. But this is infamous. You are not pris- oners!"
 Mademoiselle laughed harshly, Are we not? Well. suppose not: for if we wanted company, Captain Larolle said he would be delighted to see us --in the parlor."
 "He has taken your parlor?" said.
 'He and his lieutenants sit there But suppose we should be thankful" she added bitterly We have still our bedrooms Jeff to us" { fsycry well" I said. Then I must deal with Clon as I can. But I still have a favor 10 ask. Mademoiselle. It is only that you and your sister will descend tomorrow at your usual time in the parlor."
 q would rather not" she said. pausing and speaking in troubled voice.
 Are you afraid?"
 No Monsieur; am not afraid" she answered proudly. But"
 "You will come?" I said. She sighed before she spoke. At length, Yes, will come-if you wish { it." she answered; and the next mo ment she was gone round the corner of the house. while laughed to think of the excellent watch these gallant gentlemen were keeping. NJ. de Coch- eforet might have been with her in the garden. might have talked with her as I had talked, might have entered the house even. and passed under their noses scot free. But that is the way of soldiers. They are always ready for the enemy. with drums beating and flags fiying-at ten o'clock in the morn ing. But he does not always come Rt that hour.
 waited little and then I groped my way to the door and knocked on fl with the hilt of my sword. The dogs began to bark at the back and . the chorus of a drinking song. which .eame itfully from the east wing. ceased altogether. An inner door opened cad an angry voice apparently an Of- ficer's. began 10 rate some one for not coming. Another moment and a clam or of voices and footsteps seemed 10 pour into the hall and fll it- heard the bar ierked away. the door was flung open. and in a twinkIing a Ian !. thorn. behind which a dozen flushed -saSsEes were dimly seen. was thrust sfnto my face.
 ssTs Why. who the fend is thiz7~ cried one. glarinE al me in sstonishment .r rsFMoTbleu, It Is the man. another shrisked- Seize himl" tt In a moment half a dozen hands were laid on my shoulders but lowed politely. The officer. my friends I said. M. le Captsine La