The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-16
/ Copvriohi, 1907. by tho Nc,o York Herald
Compaay-An Rights Reserved
PART II.


. |
PART II.
CONCLUDED FROM LAST wEEK)
snring Ind come. On tho ''lande" the
grass already pierced through the brown
soil. The mir was delightfully."- soft and
mild and nature seemed to rejoice. Yet
on every side anxious faces could be seen
and the voices were sad. Tor war had been
declared and no ono felt safe. a#t
often the Lord OF Trcinancuk had bot
tied against his ne!ghbors, but now, in
spite of his vnlor, he had been Icpulsed
md his enemy was threatening him on
his grounds.
Then, taking advantage OF THO fact TINT
their lords We're quarrelling together, the
peasants Mad organized n rising, They
had been quickly Joined by some house
lees rufhans, too pleased TO find mn oppor-
tunity 10 rob and plumber without fear
OF punishment.
The country was infested with bands Of
4 licensed soldiers, the scum OF the army.
5 The soil of Brittany being ever favorable
! to guerilla warfare, they took refuge In
deep, secluded valleys or grottos on the
ecashorc, and from there they would sally
10 indifferently attack Lord Tremaneuk
or his rival, the Baron OF Geranek.
One morning small troop was gathered
In q cave. Their last attempt had not
brought them much gold and they were
resolved to find n richer prey. At last q
man suggested the Convent OF st. Anna,
which stood not far from Trenaneuk and
was wei! known for. Its riches There
vas n long discussion. Then the man who
had been chosen rs the leader said nu-
Neutrality-suspicious. OF US must obtain nd-
m!ttance to the convent, and when he
knows we'll the place one night he VIII let
us in.
eyes, but who will run the risk of con-
ceal!ng himself In the conventT II he is
found he will die in tor,ures."
~ will not CO." said one OF the men, Il
do not fear death in bnttle, but tho Risk
Is too great in this case.
"Nor l." hastily rejoned one OF his COM
rndes. /"
The chief frowned ut this general re-
5luctance TO 60 At last his eyes fell on
one man who had not yet spoken.
sts A dark old mantle thrown on his head
almost concealed his features, and he sat
motionless gloomtly staring In front Of
him. @
& "yNilt thou go?" the LEADER OF the gang
asked, With some hesitation.
"If you like" he replied, with shruS
Of Indifference
every vel. Then thou wilt so and felgn
sudden sickness. The nuns will take thee
IN. and one night thou wlt throw rope
ladder over the wall and we Will climb
over"
"very we'll"
1T is the rack IL thou art caught"
enid one OF his comrades, O little jeal-f
ously.
II do not fear death OF the rack" no
y calmly replied
"vn,t till thou hast endured tortures to
bonst my gay lord But look at my hand
10 rive thee foretaste OF what awaits
thee" And he showed his hand, disng-i
ured by the thumbscreW. Then, BURSTING
into hoarse laugh, he SLAPPED MS friend
on the shoulder. @
"Keep of, - and there VIZ a fierce CLEAN
in the younger mans eyes ns he drew
away, 'and stop your III oinened prophc-
clesl ! have no wish for thy company l
will perform my part; DO the same.
q The strong grip OF the newcomer was as
much feared us his cutting reis!ios.. and
,i,c d;sco,,f1te ted ruiIlan sulkly turned away,
Saving him alone.
The young man walked rapidly on the
+ seashore till he caught sight OF troop
of horsemcn coming toward him. He then
stopped and, after having gazcd ,iroiiHS,
concealed himself behind some huge rocks.
1t was only when they had disappeared,
lost In a cloud OF white dust, that he ven-I
tured out Of his hiding place. The dam
ger was over, and he SarcnStlcolly Dnughed
at himself.
Did danger exist? Was it not q nero
fancy? For who would recognize In tho
wasted, unshaved marauder he who had
once been the handsome Lord l<erbrenn?
He might well have fearlessiy walked past
his most intimate friend, who would not
hnvo known him. 80 great was the changed
wrought by those few months OF SORROW
and hardship.
He was indeed frightfully altered. Amid
those mnrauders whom he had Joined heI
had already won O kind OF renown, for
his arm was strong and no was absolutely
fearless. But, often overroweree With dis
gust, he could not hide The contempt heI
felt for his base associates. low low he
had sunk AND how he hated and dcspised
himselfl =, -
But as he renem bered the agony endured
to I'd har Oh {nfn
pieces Il terrible hatred stined In his
Z heart nll feeling OF re,norse. He could
only think OF his vengeance. Revenge
himself against those peasants who would
stone him TO death should they know he
was IN outlaw, and above oil humble
those knights, his former friends, who,
deaf to his cntreaues had spurned him
away. When he reached the convent all
the bells began to ring. He had lost nil
count OF days but he suddenly recollected
that It must be ,4nundy Thursday.
In Epitc OF himself Kerbrenn stood still
TO listen, for the chimes sounded very
sweety in tho clear air. Last year he
remembered. All, well, 1t was no use
10 think OF the past, yet he could not
avoid the recollection OF those days when
he had not los: his faith and no stain OF
sin rested on HIS soul.
Yet ne wished 1t was castle and not n
convent whoRe hospitality he going
TO belray; but It WAS too late TO draw
back md, setting his teeth, he knocked
for admittaucs.
A small gate was opened and voice
inquired what he WAS seeking. He replied
that he was III and unable TO pursue hi
way. Would they not grant him shelter
for some few days?
The door was tmmed1a tely opened ant
he was led TO the sick ward, for the con
vent was at the same ti.sae e. hospital
Kcrbrenn was exceedingly pale and thin
SO his tale was easily credited. Tke-
were but few sick men ut that time an
he had q tiny room ail TO himself.
Might came and he tried to sleep, bu
an intolerable sense OF anguish oppresse
him. II WAS the nrst time since his Grim
that he found himself welcomed in Al
honorable house, and, reckless us he wel
he fel, Sun more keenly bis shame ther
~ than in the rude caves where he sougl
shelter With his iewless companions
On the morrow II WAS Good Friday. a
the NUNS We're gathered In the churc
II and no one seemed stirring in the siler
costers r5u
8 After having carefully gazed aroun
Ko,prenn crept out OF his room II WI
Il rttl. ,ll ~ |, IL y,