Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-05-16
CHAPTER VIII.-CONTINUED.

her sister TO taste something; and sh.
took something on her own plate
and raised her fork to her lips. But in
moment she laid it down again. Il
conpot" she murmured. II cannot
swallow. Oh, my God, at this moment
they may be taking him."
l thought that she was about to
burst into passion of tears and re-
pented that had induced her to
descend. But her self-control was not
yet exhausted. BY an effort painful to
see, she recovered her composure. She
took up her fork and ate with a fierce
undertook. Il want to see Clon." she
whispered feverishly. The man who
waited on lis had left the room.
''TIe knows?" I said.
She nodded, her beautiful face
strangely dis6gured. Her closed teeth
showed between her lips. Two red
spots burned in her white cheeks and
she breathed quickly. I felt, as
Looked at her, a sudden pain at my
1.'art; and shl1ddering fear, such as
q man awaking to find himself falling
over a precipice, might feel. How
these women loved the man!
For a moment I could not speak.
When found my voice it sounded dry
and husky. "EIe is a safe contidant,'
I muttered. HE can neither speak nor
write. Mademoiselle.'
mo, but" and then her face became
fixed "They are coming" she whis'
pered. "HuSh," She rose stiffly and
stood supporting herself by the table.
:'Have they-have they-found him::''
she muttered. The woman by her side
wept on, unconscious what was i'm
pending
heard the captain stumble far down
the passage and swear loudly: and l
touched mademoiselle's hand. They
have mott" I whispered. Cali is we'll,
Mademoiselle Pray, pray calm your
SELF Sit down and meet them as il
nothing were the matter. And your
sister! Madam, Madam" I cried, al
most harshly, compose yourself. Re-
member that you have part to play"
My appeal did something. Madam
stif1ed her sobs. Mademoiselle drew
deep breath and sat down; and though
she was still pale and still trembled,
the worst was past
And just in time The door flew open
with a crash. The captain stumbled in
10 the room, swearing afresh. "Sacre
nom du Diable!" he cried, his face
crimson with rage. what fool placed
these things here? My boots? My"
His jaw fell. He stopped on the word,
stricken silent by the new aspect Of
the room, by the sight of the little
party at the table, by all the changes
I had worked. saint Siege!" he NUT
tered. what is this?" The lieutenant's
grizzled face peering over his shoulder
completed the picture.
"You are rather late, NJ. lie Capt.
taine," I said cheerfully. "Madam's
hour is eleven. But come, here are
your seats waiting for you"
Mile tonnerres!" he muttered, ad-
us.
"I am afraid the ragout is cold"
continued, peering into the dish and
affecting to see nothing. "The soup,
however, has been kept hot by the fire.
But think you do not see madam"
He opened his mouth to swear, but
for the moment thought better of it.
'Who-who put my boots in the pas
sAge?" he asked, his voice thick with
rage. He did not bow to the ladies, or
take any notice of their presence.
Zone of the men, suppose" said
lndifferently. "Is anything missing?"
He glared at me. Then his cloak,
spread outside, caught his eye. He
strobe through the door, saw his hol-
sters lying on the grass and other
things strewn about. He came back.
Whose monkey game is this?" he
snarled, and his face was very ugly.
''Who is at the bottom of this? Speak,
Sir, or H.
"Tut-tut! the ladies!" said. "You
forget yourself, Monsieur"
Forget MYSELF" he Kissed, and this
time he did not check his oath. Don't
talk to me of the ladies'! Madam?
Bah! Do you think, fool, that we are
put into rebels houses to bow and
smile and take dancing lessons?"
I'm this case lesson in politeness
were more to the point, Monsieur" l
said sternly. And I rose.
! "Was it by your orders that this was
done?" he retorted, his brow black
with passion. ANSWER, will .you?"
1T was!" I replied outright
'"Then take that" he cried. dashine
his hat violently in my face. "And come
outside"
with pleasure, Monsieur" answer
ed, bowling. I'm one moment. Permit
me to find my sword. ] think it is in
the passage"
l went thither to get 1t. When re-
turned 1 found that the two men were
waiting for me in the garden, while the
ladies had risen from the table and
were standing near it with blanched
faces. You had better take your sis
ter upstairs, Mademoiselle," I said
gently, pausing moment beside
them. Have no fear. All will be well.''
"But what Is it," she answered.
looking troubled. 1T was so sudden. l
AMI did not understand. You quar-
relied so quickly"
1T is very simple" answered, smil-
ing. M. lie Capitaine insulted you yes
terday; he will pay for it today. That
Is all. Or, not quite ALL" continued,
dropping my voice and speaking in a
different tone. Ellis removal may help
you, Mademoiselle. Do you understand?
think that there will be 10 more
IN