Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-09-09
CHAPTER XIII.
The Unfolding Of the Drama.

Instinctively 1 had caught my COM
panolon to me to shield her from the
shock, and we stood an instant with
exulting yells startled us back to
action.
"a grenade!" cried M. le Comte and
started for the stair.
But Pasdeloup hurled himself be-
fore him, down the stair, through that
cloud Of choking smoke. We were at
his heels, and when we reached the
floor below, I saw him tearing down
the tinder-dry tapestry, which was
blazing iercely. In a moment we had
stamped out the flames upon the torn
and splintered floor.
They must not do that a second
time" said M. lie Comte, when the dan
ger was past. IT thought the windows
were suffered"
Pasdeloup went quickly to the win
dow through which the bomb had
come.
This shutter is swinging loose" he
said, and leaned coolly out to secure It.
A chorus of hoarse yells greeted him
and a spatter Of musket shots. I heard
the bullets clipping the stones about
him, but he needed them not at all
and pulled the heavy shutter into place
and secured it with careful delibera-
ton.
I'VE must look to the other shutters"
he said calmly, when that was done,
and himself made the circuit OF the
windows, to assure himself that the
shutters were In place.
Bring down the candle, Tavernay,"
said NJ. le Comte. I'VE must see what
damage has been done here"
Not until 1t blazed up from the spark
which Pasdeloup struck into 1t, did I
suspect that he was injured. Then, as
the fame burned clearly, I perceived
a smear Of blood across his face.
Not wounded, Pasdeloupl" cried
NJ. lie Comte, whose eyes had been
caught by the same red stain.
only a scratch, monsieur" Pasde-
loup replied, but his master was not
satisfied until he had wiped away the
blood and assured himself that the
wound was indeed a slight one. A bull
let grazed P~asdeloup's forehead, cut
ting In the skin a clean furrow, which
submitted to this inspection with evi-
lent impatience.
1T is nothing" he repeated. TT Is
nothing. You are wasting time, mon
sieur."
"All right, my friend" said his mas
ter. releasing him at last; but I want
ed to be quite sure" and he turned to
an inspection OF the room.
1t was sadly wrecked, the furniture
blown asunder, the tapestries smoking
on the splintered floor; but the walls
were Intact, impregnable- NJ. le Comte
smiled as he looked at them.
Al well assault a lion with pebbles
as this tower with hand grenades" he
said. I'VE are safe as ever"
Except In n particular" broke in
Pasdeloup, In a low voice. They are
now quite certain that we have taken
refuge here. Before, perhaps, they
only suspected It"
That is true" agreed his master
thoughtfully. We'll, let US see what
the next move will be-" and he blew
out the candle and mounted to the
platform. Everything Is safe" he
added, In answer to madame's look and
Joined her at the parapet.
AS for me, ! boldly took the place I
coveted beside the younger woman
1T reminds n of Rome burning" I
said, gazing down at the flames and the
frenzied multitude II might almost
fancy myself a second Nero-you per-
cieve that the populace is cursinR u.s."
Yes" she retorted, without raising
her eyes, land no doubt, like Nero, you
would fiddle In the face of those
curses"
There are moments" I said, when
t0J-OA Oo4k CAAobAS JIG " dlull6 aL
any misfortune"
You are experiencing such a momen
now? You are f~ortunatei"
Il am. indeed. Perhaps Nero also
had the woman he loved beside him"
That would be an explanation,
truly"
but one thing / am quite certain he
did not have" / added, In q lower tom
bending above her. HE did not have
warm against his heart, a flower which
his love had kissed and thrown TO
him."
I'VE all OF US have u foolish i'm
pulses" she responded, tartly, but I saw
the glow which deepened her cheek.
IF that was a foolish impulse, made
moiselie," / said, Il trust 1t will not be
the last one. But 1t was o mere i'm
pulse-it came from your heart. One
day, you are going to love me-"
well. and what them" she cues
toned quietly.
confess had no answer ready:
what answer was is possible to give
Il may add, M. de Tavernay," she
continued more severely, that / CON
slider your jests exceedingly ill-timed.
Why talk OF q future which will never
exist? 2"
But II will exist" I protested.
Then. no doubt. you have already
devised q way OF escape from this tow
er? 1t is only necessary for US to de-
part whenever we are ready"
mo mademoiselle." I said: IT see no
way Of escape at present; but ! trust
In my star"
Your star"
Yes; 1t has never failed me. To-
day--or. rather. yesterday. after appa-
rently plunging me into the depths OF
an abyss. II drew me forth and led me
straight 70 you"
And to this trap"
All, mademoiselle, beside the other.
that does not matter"
She turned from nue. with a gesture
of impatiencs.
Your mind travels always In a cir
Gle"
"Of which you are the center. What
other figure could my mind describe,
revolving. as II does. about you r"
You have an answer always ready
III retorted; nevertheless. think
your star would have done better by
you had Il permitted you TO continue
your journey to Poitiers unmolested
You would have arrived there with q
free heart. ready TO fulfill your oath to
your father: you would have had no
temptation to forget your honor; your
life would have been calm and happy
THE life OF an or would answer that