The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-07-22
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
It was a most extraordinary posi-
ton in which they found themselves
now, and as the full light of day
streamed in and they looked round !
at each other, that fact began tn
strike them forcIbIy 111-neTIo me
strong excitement of the chase had
kept them up without thought be!
yond the moment; now the reaction
had set in.
Monsieur Tasset was the first to |
speak, and his voice betrayed his un-
easiness. He laid his hand on Ar
thurs arm. Monsieur" he said,
my heart misgives me. Are we not
all acting foolishly? Is not the ac-
ton Of that unfortunate child the re-
suit of brain turned mad from the
shock she has undergone? Do you
| see where we are going? We are
travelling toward the south, not to-
ward Paris. If, as we fancied, she
seeks her cousin, why do we travel
south?"
The cure shook his head. 'It was
thus with Jacques Aymar," he said;
;s'and we have gone too far to draw
back now. We must follow to the
| end"
Arthur, at the Mayors terrible sug-
gestion, had turned as pale as death,
but he shook off the fear. Patience"
he said, hoarsely. 1--WE shall know
at last; but can any reason stand
i such a strain as this? That thought
| terrifies me-"
Antoinette had no sooner entered
the train that she leant back and
relapsed into that sort of stupor that
was neither swoon nor sleep; but the
fixed, strained look upon her face
had not relaxed, though Arthur,
shuddering, thanked Heaven that her
wild eyes were closed.
They had been up all night, and
still bore traces of the rough nature
of their wanderings. Monsieur Tas-
set and the cure began to make some
kind of toilette, brushing the dust,
hnd green from the barks of trees, off
their clothing, and passing their
hands through their hair. The hor-
rors of the night were over, the sense
of order and conventionality resumed
it's sway
Gradually fatigue absorbed all 9TH
er thoughts. The two men sat back
each in his corner and gave them
selves up to sleep.
Arthur never closed his eyes. He
sat by Antoinette. He held one of he1
cold passive hands in both his own,
and watched her with all his soul in
his loving eyes.
Many hours passed. The train was
, the fast express, and never stopped
; on the way, till at last all were
, aroused by a sudden rush of cold air
through the carriage, the door was
thrown open, and loud, imperative
voice, shouted "Vos billets, Mes
, sieurs!"
Tasset at once took the initiative.
:, He explained to the staring guard
that the reason of their travelling
, without tickets was accidental; that
= they had in charge that most unfor-
tunate lady, and he pointed to An
= toinette. The man seemed to under
y stand, he touched his brow signifi,
= cantly. The Mayor produced his
. purse and paid for all. He had
. scarcely done so, and the little kno1
of officials who had gathered round
: the door were still talking over the
transaction, when Antoinette rose
suddenly to her feet, the magnetic
force upon her once again, and she
- descended from the train. They fel
= back on each side to see her pass
i Arthur could feel rather than heal
> the half-pitying, half-curious com
=, ments of those standing by, on the
. beautiful mad girl.
i She glided by. They were in {
= great and populous city, passinE
through crowded, brilliant streets
it was Bordeaux.
Arthur had folded the shawl al
\ round her, but now it fell from he
i all unheeded. Her face had grown
- even terribly thin and haggard; th
" eyes were stretched wide, and had il
/, them now something of dumb agony
- On she passed so swiftly that II
-, the busy whirl of city life she es
i capped the notice Of the rabble.
- Arthur walked beside her an
when bystanderS threw too curiou
glances, Tasset mutely touched hi
,+ forehead and put his finger to hi
Il lips, giving an impression OF danger
Gus insanity that served his purpos
well, and made people hurry ava
e. more rapidly than they had As
T. preached.
ID They passed thus up the broa
or main streets of the town, from on
ie place to another; then through small
u er, humber streets, till darknes
r. gathered more and more closely an
he the evening drew on. At last Al
g. toiGette passed.
O. They were in an obscure part {
the town, a street of tall gray house
TO let in apartments to all grades Of 81
" ciety, according to the height OF tn
IN story. A wide door opened on tn
r.. common stair, and as they reache
the place the door was someWht
at aiar. In this quiet street they ha
ut not so escaped without notice. Son
idle boys gathered outside the hous
Id shouting and talking to each othe
40 ! and heads began to look out OF tt
ed various windows.
1p Ant0inette moved forward,
Ie seemed once more as if the heaN
I'll door fell back at her approach, al
.c. she entered in.
9ir Something unwonted in the moi
" without made itself heard as Antoi