The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-12-06
CHAPTER XIV


"a from their dungeon window
the midnight carriage which
discharged Its prisoner before their
eyes; hence, too came that ominous
planking and that strange procession
In the early morning And thus II also
happened that they found themselves
looking down mt Francoise de Montes-
pan us she was led to her death, and
that they heard that last plteous cry
for aid at the instant when the heavy
hand OF the ruffian with the AK fell
upon her shoulder and she was forced
down upon her knees beside the block.
She shrank screaming from the dread
full red stained, greasy billet OF wood
but the butcher heaved up his weapon
and the seigneur had taken step for
ward with hand outstretched to seize
the long auburn hair and to drag the
dainty head down with 1t when sud
denly he was struck motionless with
astonlshment and stood with his foot
advanced and his hand still out, his
mouth half open and his eyes fixed In
front of him.
And, indeed, what he had seen was
enough to fill any man with amaze
ment Out OF the small square win
dow which faced him man had sud
denly shot headforemost pitching on
- his outstrctched hands and then
bounding to his feet. Within a foot Of
his heels came the head Of second
one. who fell more heavily than the
first, and yet recovered himself as
quickly. The one wore the blue coat
and silver faclngs Of the kings guard;
the second had the dark coat and clean
sbaven face of a man of peace, but
each carried short rusty iron bar In
his hand. Not word did either of
them say, but the soldier took two
quick steps forward and struck at the
headsnan while he was still poising
himself for blow at the victim. There
was thud, with crackle like break
ing egg, and the bar flew into pieces.
The headsman gave dreadful cry,
dropped his AK. clapped his two hands
to his head and, running zigzag across
the scaffold. fell over, dead man,
into the courtyard beneath.
Quick as a fash De Catinat had
caught up the ak and faced De Mon
tespan.
"Noww said he.
The selgneur had for the instant been
tan n1 10 a
stood at least that these strangers had
come between him and his prey.
"Seize these men. he shrieked, turn
Ing to his followers.
"One momentw cried De Catinat.
with q voice and manner which COM
manded attention. "You see by my
coat what am am the body serv
ant of the king Who touches me
touches him"
"On, you cowardsw roared De Mon.
tespan.
But the men at arms besitated, for
the fear of the king was as a great
shadow which hung over all France.
DE Catinat saw their indecision.
Ills WDlIluH, NTltu, 10 tit hlhS
own favorite. aud II any harm come to
a lock OF her hair ! tell you that there
Is not living soul within this portalicc |
who will not die death Of torture"
"Who are these men. MarceauY cried |
the seigneur furiously.
'They are prisoners, your excellen'
cy."
"Who ordered you TO detaln themf'
you did. The escort brought your
sIgnet ring"
II never saw the men. There Is devil |
try In this. But they shall not beard
me in my own castle, nor stand he
tween me and my own wife. No, par |
dieul They shall not and live! You
men, Marceau, Etienne, Gilbert, Jean,
Pierre. all you who have eaten my |
bread. on to them, | say"
He glanced round with furious eyes,
but they fell only upon hung heads
and averted faces. With a hldeous
curse he flashed out his sword aud
rushed at his wife, who still knelt halt
beside the block. De Cad
nat sprang between them 10 protect
her, but Marceau, the bearded s-ne
scllal had already seized his master
round the waist With the strength
OF q maniac. lsA teeth ciinched and tho
foam cburning Arom the coIners Of Lis
Ups. DE MonteSan writhed round In
The mans gasp. and. shortening bis
sword. he thrust IL through the brown
beard and deep into the throat behind
u Mnrreau fell back with a choking
cry. the blood bubbllng from his mourn
and his wound but before bis mur
iercr could disengage hs weapon De
Caiiuat and tlle American, aided by a
iozen Of the retalners. had dragged
iinl down on TO the scaI0ld. and Amos
Green had plnionei him so feeurc.y
hat he cUald but move his eyes and
biz lips. witt which he iay glaring and
'piiting ai them 80 sarag' Werc his
,wu followers against lin for Mar
sean was well loved among tAeD-
hat. with AK aud book 80 ready. Jus
iee might very swiftly have had her
say had not a long. clear bfgle call,
'ising and falling in a thousand little
.wlris aud tiOuriKhes. changed out sud |,
lenly ia the stili morning air. De
satinat prick up bis ears at the ,
Iound of IL Ike hound at the hunts
ran's call. |,