Middletown transcript., 1912-10-05

/ tighten dark hooks and corners.
But my lady, mistress Of the Mount,
seemed not to feel its benedcent
touch; standing in the full glow and
looking from her easement she shiv-
cred a little. Already was she
dressed, and her habit Of dark green,
fitting close, served to accentuate the
whiteness of her cheek which general
absence Of color, in turn, made the
more manifest certain dark lines be-
meath the restless, bright eyes.
"Your Ladyship!" After knocking
in vain, Marie had entered the room
and set down the small tray she car
ried. There is something your Lady
ship ought to know!" with an air Of
excitement.
The Governors daughter half
turned. What now, Marie?" she said
sharply.
Its about Nanette!" My lady made
a quick movement of annoyance, i'm
patience. Il did not tell your Lady
ship, but was averse to having her
remain here. Your Ladyship does not
understand, Of course, and"
81 do understand" said my lady un-
expectedly. "And-you need not ex-
plain. overheard you talking with
her that night of the banquet"
"Your Ladyship!" startled.
"And 1 heard you speak of her IA
ther, Pierre Laroche, friend Of the
Black Seigneur."
"And engaged her-after that!"
'FWhy not? l could watch-and /
have! But you were wrong, Marie"
My lady's manner was feverish. "Your
suspicious were ridiculous. There has
been nothing nothing! And day aft
er tomorrow is the wedding celebra-
ton, and the next day, he, the Black;
Seigneur-" She broke off abruptly.
Had Marie been less wrought up
less excited, less concerned with the
information she had to impart, she
could not have failed to notice the odd
break in her young mistress voice;
something unusual, almost akin to de-
spair, in her manner. AS it was, that
which weighed on the old nurses
mind precluded close observation Of
the other.
"But something has happened, my
Lady," the woman half stammered.
Comment" The girl turned to her
sharply. What? Explain, Marie!"
Disconnectedly, the woman launched
into narration of the events of the
night before; my lady listened closely,
with an interest and excitement she
strove to conceal, half turning so that
the other saw no longer her face.
"And here" ended Marie, extending
crumpled fragment of paper, 'is a
piece of the note she dropped on the
beach The man tore it up, but in
thrusting the bits of paper into his
pocket this fell out, and, after he
walked away, picked it up myself
from the sand. I can't read, as your
Ladyship knows, and there isn't much
on it-only word or two! But it
may tell something"
My lady's face was now composed;
the hand she extended, steady; for
several moments she regarded the
fragment.
What does it say?" asked the wom-
an anxiously. "Is it's it Important"
Her mistress did not at once an
swer; twisting the bit of paper in her
fingers, stood as if in thought, and the
old nurse repeated her question.
"This note might have been intend
ed for some admirer!" said, at length,
the Governors daughter slowly.
"He looked more like an old priva-
teersman!" murmured the woman.
"And there may be some plot-somS
plant"
"Privateersman!" The girls man
ner underwent change; she shrugged
her shoulders. "What could they hope
to do at the Mount! You are imagina-
tive, Marie!" lightly. "Nanette is
good-looking, and what little is here
would seem to signify a rendezvous.
There may be no great harm in that"
81 am sorry, my Lady, to seem to
think i'll of my own kin" muttered the
woman dejectedly, "but-"
Think no more Of it! You have
done your duty. Now leave the mat
ter to me, and-thank you, Marie!"
When, however, the old nurse had
gone, all pretense of ightness faded
from the face of the Governors daugh-
ter, and, opening the bit of paper, once
more she scrutinized it swiftly, in
tently.
"Tomorrow-Monastery st. Ranu-"
she read. Yes; it must mean st. Ran
ulphe-where we are going. And
where Beppo knew we were going!
Beppo, she went down on the beach
with" Again she studied the frag.
ment, striving to make out word that
had been blotted and was almost IL
legible. She frowned as she endeav-
ored to decipher it. Lady E." She
gave an exclamation. "That refers, Of
course, to-But why?" She kept ask
ing herself the question. "Why?" she
repeated, when suddenly the brown
eyes widened-cbanged; a new light
shone in their depths. at must be
they intend to-what else?"
The sound of horns-signal for the
party to gather-broke upon the air,
and, nervously crushing in her palm
the piece Of the message, she stepped
to the table, to the untasted break
fast. Like one in a dream, who yet
feels the need for haste, she poured
out the coffee; with unsteady hand
raised the cup and drank; started to
serve herself again; as if forgetful of
the impulse, paused.
"And II" she said with deeper
breath. ITO ride to the ambush they
have so cleverly planned? Allow N.Y.
self to be taken prisoner by these des-
perate men? No; no; 1 could not!
And yet" A trampling Of horses
hoofs in the court below interrupted.
They are ready to start!" Uncer-
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