Middletown transcript., 1912-07-20


hers; nay, more-in their depths she
might fancy almost warmer sparkle
of mute admiration! And her face,
on a sudden, grew cold.
"Certes, your Ladyship sets them
an example!" murmured the auda-
cious fellow. Though, pardi!-one
not easy to imitate!"
She threw back her head, proudly
tmperiously; the brown eyes cleaned
and certain sharp words Of reproof
were about to spring from her lips
when abruptly, above the sound OF the
music. a trumpet call, afar, rang out
MY Iady-not sorry perhaps OF the
pretext-at once stopped.
81 thank your Ladyship," said the
man and bowed low.
But the governors daughter seemed,
or affected, not to hear, regarding the
other dancers, who likewise had come
to a standstill-the two musicians
looking up from instruments now ST.
lent. A moment yet the young fisher
man fingered; seemed about once
more to voice his Acknowledgements,
but, catching the dull eye OF a peas
ant. stepped back instead.
"sapristi! They might, at least,
have waited until the end OF the
dance!" he muttered, and with a final
look over his shoulder and a low
laugh, disappeared in the crowd.
Where are the enemy?" 1t was
the marquis who spoke-in accents
he strove to make light and thereby
conceal, perhaps, possible annoyance.
Coming forward, he looked around
toward the point whence the sound
had proceeded. 'If l mistake not" a
note of inquiry in his tone, 1t means
"a call to arms!"
Ny lady bit her lips; her eyes still
cleaned with the bright cold light
of a topaz. "Why-a call to arms?"
she asked somewhat petulantly, rails
ing her hand to her hair, little dis
arranged in the dance.
Perhaps, as a part of the military
discipline?" murmured the marquis
obviously. "See!" With sudden in
terest, he indicated a part of the
Mount that had been black against
the staF-spangIed sky, now showing
sickly points of light. 1T does mean
something! They are coming down."
And even as the marquis spoke, q
clatter of hoofs on the stone pave
ment leading from the Mount to tho
sand ushered horseman into view.
he was followed by another and yet
another, until in somewhat desultory
fashion, owing to the tortuous difficult
ties Of the narrow way that had sep
arated them above, an array OF
mounted men was gathered at the
base of the rock. But only for a mo-
ment; few words from one of their
number, evidently in command, and
they dispersed; some to ride around
the Mount to the left, others to the
right
Perhaps Elise will enlighten us?"
Of one accord her guests now crowded
around the girl.
Does the governor intend to take
US prisoners?"
You imply it is necessary to do
that-to keep you?" answered my
lady
Then why"
Her expression, as perpIexed as
theirs, answered.
"Beppo!" She waved her hand.
The governors servitor, who was
passing, with an anxious, inquiring
look upon his face, glanced around.
"Beppo!" she repeated, and beck
oned again.
The man approached. Your Lady
ship wishes to speak with me?" he
asked in a voice he endeavored to
make unconcerned.
Il do" In her manner the old
antipathy she had felt toward him as
child again became manifest. what
do the soldiers want? Why have they
come DOWN."
His eyes shifted. "I-my Lady"
he stammered.
The little foot struck the strand.
"Why don't you answer? You heard
my question:"
Il am sorry, my Lady" Again he
hesitated: lie Seigneur Noir has