The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-10

CHAPTER vIII.-cosrrNuEp.


and madam and you can take YOU
line TO find the man For ourselves
we shall. draw OF our men to the vii
lage and we shall take our line. Tha
Is all, NJ. lie Capitaine. is II not?'
'T think So" the captain muttered
looking anywhere but at me.
Then we bid you good-day. Mon
aieur," the lieutenant added. And In
a moment he turned his companion
round. and the two retired up the walk
10 the house, leaving me to look after
them In a black at of rage and In
credulity At the first flush there was
something so offensive ia the manner
OF their going that anger had the up
per hand | thought of the lieutenant's
words. and cursed him 20 hell with
sickening consciousness that ! should
not forget them in a hurry: WAS !
playing the traitor 60 the cardinal or
TO these women-which? Mon Dieu!
If ever question-but therel some day
I would punish him And the captainl
could put an end to his amusement,
at any rate: and would Doubtless
among the country bucks of Auch he
lorded II as a chief provincial bully,
but would cut his comb for him some
fine morning behind the barracks.
And then. as | grew cooler began
20 wonder why they were going, and
what they we're going TO do They
might be already on the track. or
have the information they required un-
der hand; in that case | could under
stand the movement But II they were
still searching vaguely. uncertain
whether their quarry were In the neigh
borhood or not, and uncertain how
long they might have to stay. ii seemed
incredible that soldiers should move
from good quarters to bad without mo-
tive.
wandered down the garden think
ing sullenly Of this, and pettishly
cutting of the heads Of the flowers
with my sheated sword. After oil. II
they found and arrested the man what
then? should have TO make peace
with the cardinal as | best might. He
would have gained his point. but not
through me. and should have to look
10 myself. On the other hand. II
anticipated them-and, as a fact.
felt that ] could lay my hand on the
fugitive within a few hours-there
would come a time when | must face
mademoiselle.
A little while back that had not
seemed so difficult a thing. From the
day OF our first meeting-and In a
higher degree since that afternoon
when she had dashed me with her scorn
my views " her. and my feelings
towards her. had been strangely made
up OF antagonism and sympathy: OF
repuision. because In her past and
present she was so different from me:
of yearning. because she was a woman
and friendless. Then had duped her
and bought her confidence by returning
the jewels. and in a measure I had
stated my vengeance: and then, as a
consequence. sympathy had again be-
gun to get the better, until now hard
ly knew my own mind or what I in
tended. stood there in the garden
with that conviction suddenly new
born In ny mind and then. in
moment. ! heard her step and turned
20 find her behind me
Her face was like April, smiles
breaking through her tears. As she
stood with a tall hedge of flowers be-
hind her. ! started to see how beauti-
full she was. II am here in search OF
you. M. de Barthe," she said. coloring
slightly. perhaps because my eyes be-
trayed my thought, Ito thank you.
You have not fought. and yet you have
conquered. My woman has Just been
with me. and she tells me that they
are goingi"
"GoingY" I said. yes. Mademoiselle
they are leaving the house."
She did not understand my reserva-
tion. What magic have you used?"
she said. almost gaily-it was wonder.
ful how hope had changed her More
over. am curious to learn how you
managed to avoid fighting"
After taking blow?" said Bit |
terly.
Monsieur. l did not mean that" she
said reproachfully. Blu. her face !
clouded. saw that. viewed IN this light
lin which I suppose she had not
seen 1.-THE matter perp,exed her still |
more.
b | took a sudden resolution. 'Have !
sou ever heard. Mademoiselle." said
gravely. pIucking of while | spoke the !
dead leaves from a plant beside me.
-'of gentleman by name De Berault,
Known in Paris. so I have heard. by |
sObriquel OF the Black DEATH?
The duellist7" she answered. In
wonder Yes. have heard OF him.
lie Killed a young gentleman Of this !
province at Nancy two years back. II
was a sad story" she continued. ehud
dering. "of a dreadful man God keep ]
our friends from such!"
"Amen." said quietly. But. In
spite OF myself. { could uot meet her
eyes
Why" she ansW cred. quickly taxi
ing alarm at inv silence What Of |
him. NJ hl BaIthe7 Why have you
g41.enc- si@g"