The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-06

bruslr and contem ptuous, dismissed
The bearer.
But whatever feeling the lord OF the
Mount might entertain toward his
chief oficer. no course at the moment
seemed open save to await the return
OF that person and tho Marquis. So,
curbing his impatience ~ best he
Nigh, his Excellency kept vigil: and
not alone! Tidings Of what had hap
pened spread at tho top Of the rock:
siftet through closed gates and thick
walls into the town. The late arrival
at the Mount Of the lords and ladies,
companions Of the Governors daugh.
ter for tho day. but added to the Ques-
tionings Of the multitude. All night
life tnd expectancy reigned: lights
cleaned from high plaoes: responded
In low ones.
Ia It true. my dear. what we hear
about the Lady Eliser the landlady Of
the Inn on the Mount near the strand
called out to q stalwart, dark young
woman, hurrying down the narrow
way shortly after the Paris contingent
had aone up.
X have heard no more than you
have" came the curt answer Of this
person--none other than Nanette-
who carried small bundle and
seemed anxious to move ON.
~Oh. I didn't know but you came
from the palace!" observed the mis-
tress Of the inn. and returned to her
customers. drinking and nodding with
heads close together.
On the morrow, however, all doubts
were removed and speculations put at
rest; for hardly had the sun est it's
zeal IN the sky than from the forests
the appearance OF body Of troops
rewarded the watchers. From howell
to hut the word went, and men, WON
en- and children. unlsempt and curious,
ran down to the beach to await the
approach OF the guard. Proudly bad
1t departed. with waving Of plumes:
slowly 1t returned. a bedraggled pro
oession Of staggering horses and
heavy>eyed men. Had 1t come back q
little earlier, the dark might havo kept
the truth from the people: now the
pitiless red glare revealed to the full
the plight Of the troopers. 1t told, too,
the disappointment Of Monsieur le
Comrnandant, who looked neither to
the right nor to the left: and the de-
spafr OF my lord. the Marquis, pale
counterfeit OF his debonair self.
Her Ladyship! They haven't
brought her back!" Low murmurs
arose; grew louder: some one laughed.
But sullenly. without answer. the sol.
diers dragged by. into the town. and
VIGOROUSLY up to the top of the Mount.
At the gate his Excellency waited;
cast one glance at the company--their
lsaderCand silently turned. Later.
however. was he cloeeted with both
the commandant and the MarQuis-a
brief period with the former who de-
parted. carrying a look eloquent Of tho
unpleaeantness Of tho interview.
And now" said the Governor in
tones somewhat strained. as the Off.
GERS detected football died In the dis.
tance. we've got rid Of that dolt, let
us consider, my Lord, the purport OF
this outrage"
"Purporr repeated the Marquis
petulantly. stretching his stiff legs.
Did they not tell me that II anything
happened to the Black Seigneur, they
would hold her. Elise. answerable for
lit You see they had learned" bit.
terly. "of your intention to hang him
after the wedding!"
"From which you infer!"
They will keep her as hostage! In
deed. they said as much. when"
They bound you. my Lord?"
The color came to the young mans
face. ut vas a trap" he said, his
voice pitched higher; "and they came
prepared. not for one man. but the
guard!"
Still II was very ill.advised-a great
mistake--to havc taken the shorter
way through the forest alone"
The proposal did not originate with
mel Elise suggested II. She seemed
In Wild. headstrong mood: nothing
would stop her. Now" moodlly he
rose. mon dieu! What has she
brought upon herself? Where Ia she
now?"
His Excellency did not stir; his
race. like pale mask. was turned
aside. Il do not think" no said slow
ly. az arguing TO convince himself.
she is In any Immediate danger"
But my lord caught irritabiy at the
word. NO danger! She ia surround.
cd by IT, And we? what are we to
do? Sit idly here? Give me a shin,
you Excc'lcncy. anu will follow the
bo OF this Black Seigneur. and when
ind II. force them to-"
"What?" The Governors owes
swerved DULY. Have you forgotten
their threat? Their last words TO you
that IL we attempted TO follow. to rcs.
(1lN-lhal Nnkh A.. o.,