The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-12-20
CHAPTER XIII

Dinner at Mr.. Marchurst's house was
not particularly celebrating affair. As
matter of fact, though dignifed with
the name of dinner. it was nothing more
than one of those mixed meals known as
high tea.
After dinner Madame sat and talked
with Marchurst, but Kitty went outside
into the warm darkness of the summer
night, and tried to pierce the gloom to
see If her lover was coming. She was
rewarded. for II. vandeloup came up
about half-past eight o'clock, having met
Pierre as arranged. Pierre had found
out villiers in his hiding place, and was
watching him while Villiers watched the
house. Being. therefore, quite easy in
his mind that things were going smoothly,
Vandeloup came up to the porch where
Kitty was eagerly waiting for him, and
taking her in his arms, kissed her tender
". Then. after assuring himself that
Madame was safe with Marchurst, he put
his arm round Kitty's waist. and they
walked up and down the path with the
warm wind blowing in their faces, and the
perfume of the waffle blossoms permeat-
ing the drcwsy air.
Suddenly they heard the noise of a
chair being pushed back inside the house,
and knew that Madame was getting ready
TO go. They moved simultaneously to-
ward the door. but in the porch CASTOR
paused for moment, and caught Kitty
by the arm.
"Bebe," he whispered softly, when
Madame is gone / am going down the hill
to Ballarat, so you will walk with me a
little way, will you not?''
OF course, Kitty was only too delight
ed at being asked to do so, and readily
consented. then ran quickly into the
house. followed by Vandeloup.
you hereY cried Madame in surprise,
pausing for moment in the act of put
ting on her bonnet. "Why are you not
at the theater"
II am going, Madame" replied Gas
ton, calmly. but / thought l would come
up in order TO assist you to put the mug
get in the trap"
"Oh, Mr.. Marchurst would have done
thar" said Madame. much gratifed at
yandeloup's attention. I'm sorry you
should miss your evenings pleasure for
that"
"Ah, Madame, / do but exchange a
lesser pleasure for a greater one" said
the gallant Frenchman, with a pleasant
smile; but are you sure you will not
want me TO drive you homer
"Not at ALL" said Madame, as they all
went outside; II am quite safe"
"Still, with this" said Mr.. Marchurst,
bringing up the rear, with the nugget
now safely placed in its wooden box, you
might be robbed"
"Not L." replied Mrs. villiers brightly,
as the horse and trap were brought round
to the gate by Brown. mo one knows
I've got il in the trap, and, besides. no
one can catch up with Rory when he
once starts"
seat of the trap, but Madame was afraid
it might slip out by some chance, so she
put the box containing it in front, and
then her feet on the box, so that it was
absolutely impossible that It could get lost
without her knowing. Then saying good
by to every one, and telling NJ. vandeloup
to be out at the Pactolus before noon the
next day, she gathered up the reins and
drove slowly down the hill, much to the
delight Of Mr.. Villiers. who was getting
tired of waiting. Kitty and Vandeloup
strolled of in the moonlight, while Mar
churst went back to the house.
villiers arose from his hiding place, and
looked up savagely at the serene moon,
which was giving far too much light for