Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-15

by a treacherous World Spoken by
whom?
But a moment these reflections
surged through his brain; an instant
and his gaze swung around, at towers
-turrets-as q magician might apDre
hensiyely survey fabulous architec
tural creation, handiwork Of his dark
craft, threatened, through an iniu
ence beyond his control, with destruc
ton; then with a quick start, his Elk
cellency wheeled; walked toward the
stairway. About to descend. the sight
OF a figure coming up, caused him
however, to pause; in the flare Of the
light below, something in the manner
Of the mans advance impressed the
governor as peculiar.
The movements Of this person, who
was understood, wiry, were agile and
cat-like; first would he stop. look
around him and listen; afterward
spring forward q few steps as not
quite sure Of his course. But still he
came on, keeping as closely as might
be to the cover Of the shadows, until
q growing impression he had seen the
fellow before resolved itself into posi-.
tiveness in his Excellency's mind. And
with the conviction and sudden re.
membrane Of the place and the char
acter Of their previous meeting, q deu-
mite Discrimination to cncountering the
figure OH the stairs caused the Cover
nor abruptly to draw into the en-
trance of the church. There. concealed,
impatiently he waited for the man to
pass on, thus affording him the oppor-
tunity to slip by and return to the
gate.
Meanwhile, the Lady Elise had re-
paired to the palace; q prey 10 haras-
sing doubts her fathers words had
failed TO remove, she listened to those
sounds of the strife she no longer saw.
But that she wished to obey her father
unquestioningly now-at, perhaps, a
supreme moment for both Of them!-
she could not have remained where
she was. Never had the palace looked
so blank and deserted; she rang her
bell: no one answered. The servants
had apparently all left--gcre. it might
be, to look down or and behold this
Suerra a Ia mort waged near tie gates.
Or. perhaps, had they all. except the
old nurse. fled from the palace, never
to return?
As she asked herself these questions,
in the distance the noise OF tho con-
nict grew louder; the shouts of the
people more distinct, nearer. With
Il .udden premonitioE Of disaster close
1t hand the desire TO see what was
happenins-to know the worst--seiZad
her. No longer could she remain in
her apartments; she must return 10
the ramparts-io her father: and then
ii need be The thought drove some
of the color from her cheek, but in z
moment her drawer instincts spoke;
there awoke within her the courage
and spirit of her Norman ancestry.
Pale, yet determined, she fastened
down the long, dirly lighted corridor,
and was nearing the door leading to
the street when it suddenly opened
and a man, tall and dark, showing in
his appearance many signs Of the fray.
steDDed in. At sight Of her quick
exclamation fell from his lips; his
bold, anxious eyes lighted. My Lady.
YOU" Her startled glance met his
q heard the firing; fastened to the
Nount-here! I trust not too iate.'
TOO laten' she repeated wildly.
where else should the Black Seisn-
eur be than here, at the Mount-at
such a moment"
"True!" he returned quietly. where
else?"
She noted not the accent; behind
him. through the open space bright
fork of fame. in the direction OF the
soldiers barracks, shot into the ar
and, at the same time, she saw that
the officers quarters and out-buiidings
glowcd red The knowledge of what
It meant-that her apprehensions had
been realized. sent q shudder through
her, and quickly as the door closed,
shutting out the sight, she ran toward
tie threshold, one thought in her mind
her father, and where she had last
seen him! That she was seized, held,
restrained. seemed but a natural,
though terrible, incident Of the mo-
ment.
Pardon, my Lady! II a moment
they will be here, and they will not
spare you! Your father is not at the
gate; he left before the soldiers gave
way! Believe me, or mott is the
truth! AS true as that, il you go out,
they will kill you!"
And did he not want that; why else
was he here? The young mans face
darkened; he made an impatient Ses'
ture. They were but wasting time;
already were the people close without;
one Of the assailants, q woman. had
been shot in the assault; the others
Her Ladyship would understand; il
she wished 10 save herself? His tones
vibrated with strange eagerness. The
,,alace Ind q rear entrance OF course