The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-19

OaHo III nOcRlng tones from behind
the wheel.
THE mountebank!"
Sacre tonnerre! But mounteoank
or outlaw. you shall pay! This way!''
And at the unprotected side OF the
wheel the commandant sought tc
bring the Issue to a conclusion. One
blade the Black Seigneur struck down
while his own weapon retOrted with
more effect. though as ii did So an.
other soldier made a lunge, and his
sword entered the shoulder of the man
behind the wheel. A shout of triumph
that ~ ! from the lips of the Gov.
ernors trooper was, however, abrupt.
ly checked; lurching forward with the
stroke, ere he could recover, some.
thing heavy-a brass hilt-beat like a
hammer on his head and he dropped
to his knees. The others pressed
closer; but with the desperation Of a
man resolved to sell his life dearly.
the Black Seigneur fought on; regard
less or cut and thrust, was holding the
narrow entrance, when from the rear
somewhere. came the report of a fire.
arm.
Back! Stand back!"
Those nearest the wheel, not IN.
willing. perhaps. to desist, arew away:
other detonations followed and smoke
hlled the place, obscuring the eaze.
In the yellow fog they waited; until
nrst 1t was swept aside close to the
opposite wall by a draft Of air from
the aperture of the adjoining store
room. and the commandant, in an eff.
fort to see. moved impatiently for
ward. Ere, however. he could reach
the wheel, near tho threshold of tho
store-room, he felt his arm suddenly
seized.
Look. Mstenl"
The warning cry-a girls voice
rang through the wheel.room: but tho
commandant did not at once heed It:
at that abrupt touch he had involun.
tarily wrested his arm away: he
stared. not In the direction she who
had called out pointed, but at her!
The white. drawn face, tho eyes di.
lated
"You. my Ladyl Hers," he stam.
mered.
But she only made a wild move.
msnt; again grasped, drew him for.
ward.
"Quick. Or" And suddenly was he
brought to a realization Of what sha
wished him to see: a figure drawing
Itself along, slowly. painfully, toward
the verge
Don't you see? Rather than be
taken. he's going to throw himself
overt"
The excited. admonishing sound Of
her voice aroused the commandant.
He gave sharp order and the soldiers
sprans forward; laid roughly hold Of
tho PROSTATE form; drew 1t back. The
Black Seigneur yet struggled. but not
for long! A moment. and his eyes
turned to the Governors daughter.
Ma fol! must needs yield-to
your Ladyship! Yet. what matter.
since have done what / came to dol"
H's gnze. darNly glowing seemed to
envelope the shrinking figure whose
cloak only partly concealed the gay
rich gown beneath: lifted to the bril-
liant af1righted brown eyes Your
Ladyship has bright eyes. forsooth!"
An ironical laugh burst from his lips.
But sharper than their swords!" He
strove to speak further, when a hand
holding a weapon fell heavily. At that
cry escaped the girls lips.
mo, no; you shall mott"
The Black Seigneur lay still.
"Ciel! It's fortunate we got him."
ruefully the commandant gazed
around. "It would have made a pretty
tale, If" he turned to the Governors
daughter. 81 have your Ladyship to
thank" he began. and stopped
My lady's figure had at that moment
relaxed and fallen to the ground!