Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-27
By ST a NLEY

come and see her lying there, and !
stopped and tried to raise her. But
she would not rise; she only sank
the lower until her tender hands
clasped my spurs, and dared not
move. Then took sudden resolu-
ton. Listen then, Madam" I said,
almost sternly, 'if you will not rise.
When you ask what you do, you for
get how I stand, and how small my
power is! You forget that were to
release your husband to-day, he would
be seized within the hour by those who
are still in the village. and who are
watching every road-who have not
ceased to suspect my movement and
my intentions. You forget, I say, my
circumstances"
She cut me short on that word. She
sprang abruptly to her feet and faced
me. One moment, and should have
said something to the purpose. But at
that word she was before me. white,
breathless, dishevelled, struggling for
speech. ooh yes, yes" she painted
eagerly, n know! understand" And
she thrust her hand into her bosom
and plucked something out and gave
1t to me-forced it upon me into my
hands. ri know! know!" she said
again. Take 1t. and God reward you,
Monsieur! We give 1t freely-freely
and thankfully And may God bless
you!"
I stood and looked at her, and looked
at 1t, and slowly froze. She had given
me the packet-the packet had re-
stored to mademoiselle. the parcel Of
Jewels. weighed 1t in my hands, and
my heart grew hard again, for knew
that this was mademoiselles doing;
that 1t was she who, mistrusting the
effect Of madam's tears and prayers,
had armed her with this last weapon
this dirty bribe. flung it down on
the table among the plates, all my pity
changed to anger. Madam" cried
ruthlessly, "you mistake me altogeth-
er. have heard hard words enough
in the last "a hours, and know what
you think of me! But you have yet to
learn that have never turned traitor
to the hand that employed me, nor
sold my own side! When I do so for
a treasure ten times the worth Of
that, may my hand rot off,
She sank into seat, with d moan
OF despair. f.....a q. that moment the
eass1 s.a sssed, and NJ. de Cocheforet
came in. Over his shoulder I had a
glimpse of mademoiselle's proud fece,
q little whittier to-day, with dark marks
under the eyes, but still firm and cold.
What is this?" he said, frowning
and stopping short as his eyes lighted
on madam.
1T is-that we start at eleven
o'clock Monsieur" answered, bowling
CURLY. Those, fancy, are your prop
erty." And pointing to the jewels, I
went out by the other door.
That l might not be present at their
parting. remained in the garden un-
til the hour I had appointed was well
passed; then without entering the
house l went to the stable entrance.
Here ! found all ready. the two troop
ers (whose company had requisitioned
rs far as Auch) already in the saddle.
my own two knaves waiting with my
sorre] and M. de Cocheforet's chestnut.
Another horse was being led up and
down by Louis, and, alas, my heart
WINGED at the sight. For it bore a
lady's saddle and saw that we were
to have company. Was it madam who
meant to come with us? or mademoi.
selle? And how far? To Auch? OF
farther?
suppose that they had set some
Kind Of watch on me; for, as ]
walked UP, NJ. de Cocheforet and his
sister came out of the house-he look.
ing white. with bright eyes and q
twitching in his cheek, though through
all he affected jaunty bearing; she
wearing black mask.
"Mademoiselle accompanies us?" !
said formally.
with your permission, Monsieur,
he answered, with grim politeness
But saw that he was choking with
emotion. guessed that he had jus.
parted from his wife and l turned
away.
When we were all mounted be
looked at me. Perhaps, as you have
my parole, you will permit me to rid'
alone" he said, with little hesita
ton, and"
Without mel" l rejoined keenly
"Assurealy, so far as is possible
directed the troopers to ride in from
and keep out of ear-shot; my twt
men followed the prisoner at q lik'
distance, with their carbines on thei
knees. Last Of all I rode myself, will
my eyes open and a pistol loose in m.
holster. NJ. de Cocheforet, | saw, wa
inclined to sheer at SO many precal
tons and the mountain made of his re
quest; bit had not done SO mucl
ard come so far, l had not faced scorl
and ins:l:s, 20 be cheated OF my priz
at last. Aware that until we were he
yond Auch there must be hourly an
pressing danger of rescue, was dc
termined shat he who would wrest m
l. 4 lr,~ n ~,