Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-01-18
CHAPTER VII.

/ was remanded to the custody of
young Lieutenant Tybee, who suffered
me to keep my own room for the night.
He barred the door upon me, set SEN
try pacing back and forth in the cor
ridor without and another to keep an
eye upon the window from below, and
so left me.
/ was fam to fall upon the bed in
utter WEAKNESS, thinking that the re-
spite bought by my sweet ladys hum
bling was more dearly bought than
ever. Time went by and then there
came a stir without and voices in the
corridor 1t was the changing of the
guard. The sentry newly come paced
back and forth to a low-hummed
quick-step of his own. He made more
noise than did the other. A moment
afterward the bar was lifted cautious
ly from its socket. the latch clicked
gently. and the door swung open. On
the threshold stood my lady Margery.
and just behind her some broad figure
of woman whom knew for her stout
Norman firing maid. She dragged the
woman in with her and closed the door
At that l found my tongue
''Margeryl Why have you conner" I
spoke in French. and she was quick to
lay finger on her lip.
Speak to me in English. If you
please" she whispered. Jeanne knows
nothing, and she need not know But
you ask why 1 come: could do less
than come. dear friend?"
1 think my lady must have known
how hard is was for me to speak, for,
when the silence had grown overlong,
she said, gently: Il bought these flying
minutes of the sentry. Monsieur John.
Will you not use them?"
IF / should say the thing 1 ought to
say, you'll think the minutes dearly
bought. 1 fear"
NO. that 1 shall not. if 1t will ease
your mind"
81 have but one thought 1t is love;
love for you, and-and Richard Jenni-
fer"
She rose, and I could see her eyes
ashine for all the half gloom of the
candle-light.
You are a loyal friend!" she said.
and there was that within the words
to make me glad, whatever fate the
dawn would have in store for me. you
always think of others first; you think
of others now, when--when death-Oh,
Monsieur John! what can / do for you ?
say quick! The man is coming to the
door"
Now I have told you this, there is
but one other thing. Margery dear; one
little thing that will not let me die in
peace. If might have ten words with
Richard Jennifer-"
She left me in a fever fiutter of ex-
element, whipped to the door, and had
a word with him who stood without 1
heard the chink of coin. and then she
FASTENED back to me. all eagerness and
tremulous impatience
TELL me-tell me instantly what l
must dc. am not afraid. Shall 1 ride
down to Jennifer House and fetch Dick
here?"
HE is a prisoner. and If he were
not. they would not let him see me.
Besides, 1 would not let you go on such
an errand. And yet there is many an
innocent life hanging on this: TIE lives
of helpless women and little children.
Have you ever a messenger to send, a
man who will risk his life and can be
trusted fully?"
YES, yesi" she cried. Write it
down for me and Dick shall have 1t.
Quickl"
l sat down to the table to write my
message to Richard Jennifer There
were quilts and an ink-pot at hand.
but no paper. / felt mechanically in
my pocket and found. not some old let
ter. as l hoped, but the crampled
parchment map snatehed and hidden
when Captain Stuart had WINGED and
dropped it at the bidding of the whis-
Ting sword about his ears.
How 1t was they had not searched
me for II. 1 know not; though haply
the captain did not guess how he had
lost Ii. Be that as it might. had it
safe, and Dick should have 1t safe, and
use it, too. to some good purpose, as 1
fondly hoped. l crowded the narrative
of all that had seen and heard into a
niggard three-score words or less. But
this did. writing them upon the mar
gin OF the captains map, and noting in
an added line the pricking out of the
powder conveys route. My eager little
lady snatched and hid the parchment
in her bosom. and was gone.
I watched and listened. Now IL
came TO me that while would be saw
ing life, mayhap had been periling it
again. There was small doubt that II
the messenger were taken with my
letter. his life would pay the forfeit.
and both Margery and Dick would be
involved. Suddenly. ont Of the ghostly
shadows OF the trees and into the wan
moonlight OF the open space beneath
my window came three figures riding
abreast-a man in trooper trappings
on either hand. ard on the led horse
sandwfcae5 in between. q woman who
was taken from her horse and led into
the house. Then there came a hasty
trampling In the corridor. and q quick
unharring of the door. l TUNED upon
my heel TO face a young ensign come
with two men at his back to take me
TO the colonel
They bound me well and strongly
with many wrappings OF stout cord be-
fore they led me down. When we were
come into the room below they let me
stand beside my dear lady. and when
stole a glance at her I was fam TO
think my coming gave her courage and
support When my guards had thrust
me forward. the colonel made short
work Of our fresh of7erse
Twas a dastard's trick. my Cap
| tain-this tangiing of the lady in your
1 treason" he began. How did you set
| your speech with herr"
| That Is none of your affair. Colonel
Tarieton." I retorted boldly. Yet