Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-03-07

He was still STOPPING over her wnen
there came the clang OF the falling
bridge, and an instant later the clatter
Of the hoofs of a troop of cavalry, who
swept. with wave of plumes, toss Of
names and jingle Of steel, into the
courtyard. At the head was a tall
horseman in the full dress of the
guards, with a curling feather in his
hat. high buff gloves and his sword
cleaning in the sunlight. De C~atinat's
face frightened at the sight of him,
and he was down in IN instant beside
his stirrup.
"De Brissac.'' he cried.
"De Catinat! Now where in the
name of wonder did you come fromF'
81 have been a prisoner. Tell me, De
Brissac. did you leave the message in
Paris? And the archbishop came? And
the marriage?"
'TOok place as arranged. That is
why this poor woman whom i see yon-
der has had to leave the palace"
81 thought as much"
81 trust that no harm has come TO
herr"
my friend and | were just in time
TO save her. Her husband lies there.
He is a iend, De Brissac."
Every likely. But an angel might
have grown bitter had he had the same
treatment"
"We have him pinioned here. He has
slain q man, and l have slain another"
ION my word, you have been busy"
"How did you know that we were
hereT'
may, that is an unexpected pleas
ure."
"You did not come for us, them"
"No; we came for the lady. Her
brother was to have taken her in
his carriage. Her husband learned it,
and by a lying message he coaxed
her into his own, which was at an
other door. When De Vivonne found
rooms were empty he made inquiries
and soon learned how she had gone.
De Montespan's arms had been seen
on the panel, and so the king sent me
here with my troop as fast as we could
gallop."
"Ah, and you would have come too
late had a strange chance not brought
as here. | know not who it was who
waylaid us, for this man seemed to
know nothing of the matter. How
ever, all that will be clearer after
ward. What is to be done now?"
II have my own orders. Madame is
to be sent to Petit Bourg, and n
who are concerned In offering her vio-
lence are to be kept until the kings
pleasure is known. The castle, too,
must be held for the king. But you.
De Catinat, you have nothing to do
now"
Nothing save that l would like well
to ride into Paris to see that all is
right with my uncle and his daugh-
ter"
"Ah, that sweet little cousin of thine.
BY my soul, I do not wonder that the
folk know yen well in the Rue st.
Martin. Well, l have carried a mes
sage for you once, and you shall do
as much for me now"
with all my heart. And whitherY'
ITO Versailles. The king will be on
fre to know how we have Jared. You
have the best right to tell him, since
without you and your friend yonder it
would have been but a sorry tale"
Il will be there In two hours"
Have you horses?'
ours were slain"
You will find some in the stables
here. Pick the best, since you have
lost your WI In the kings service"
The advice was too good to be over
K De Catinat, reckoning to
Amos Green. hurried away with him
TO the stables, while De Brissac. with
a few short, sharp orders, disarmed the
retainers, stationed his guardsmen all
over the castle and arranged for the
removal of the lady and for the Gus
tody of her husband. An hour later the
two friends were riding swiftly down
the country road, inhaling the sweet
air. which seemed the fresher for their
late experience of the dank, foul va
pors of their dungeon.