Middletown transcript., 1912-11-02
den. aero questioning.

den, fierce questioning,
That twas the Lady Elise saved
you. Went knoWingly-wiIlingly-as
hostage"
aThe Lady Else!" he cried, an
abrupt glow on the dark face.
Nanette's eyes noted and fell, but
she went on hurriedly: "She knew Of
the ambush in the forest; saw part Of
the note 1 dropped on the beach-it.
was brought to her by my aunt who
warned her" And in a quick rush OF
words, as If desirous to be done with
it, Nanette told all that had transpired
at the Mount,
Incredulously, eagerly, he listened;
when, however, she had finished, he.
said nothing; sat like a man beWl-.
dered.
sWell?" said the girl impatientlya
Still he looked down. "Well?" she re-
peated. so sharply old Pierre stirred;
lifted his head.
( 'Eh, my dear?"
She went to the mantel; took from
1t candle.
"Seigneur finds you such poor COM
pany," she said, ''he desires light to
retire!"
The dawn smote the heavens with!
fiery lashes of red; from the east the
wind began to blow harder, and on the
sea the waves responded with more
forcible sweep. At window in the
inn, the Black Seigneur a moment
looked out on the gay flowers and the
sea and the worn grim face Of the
cliff; then left his room and made his
way downstairs. No one was yet, ap-
parently, astir; an hour or so must
elapse ere the time set for departure,
ana, pending the turn Of the tide Il aId
adieu to old Pierre, the young man
stepped into the garden, through the
gate, and, turning into a rocky path;'
strobe out over the cliffs. The island
was small; its walks limited, and soon,.
despite number Of difficulties in the
way he had chosen, he found himself
at its end-the verge Of a great rock
that projected out over the blue, sui
len sea. For some moments he stood
there, listening to the sounds in cav
erns below, watching the snow-capped
waves, the ever-shifting spots on a
vast map, and then, shaking OF his
reverie, started to return.
"a brisk wind to take US back to.
France" he said to himself; but his.
thoughts were not of possible April
storms, or Of his ship. His eyes,,
bright, yet perplexed, as if from some
problem whose solution he had not
yet found, were bent downward, only
to be raised where the path demanded
his closer attention. AS he looked up,
he became suddenly aware Of the fig
ure of a girl, who approached from
the opposite direction.
A quick CLINT sprang to the young
mans eyes, and, pausing, he waited;
watched. At that point, the way ran
over a rock, almost eaten through by
the hungry sea, and she had already
started to cross when he first saw her.
The path was not dangerous; nor was
1t easy; only it called for certainty
and assurance on the part of the one
that elected to take it. My Iady's
light footstep was sure; although the
wind swept rather sharply there, she
held herself with confident poise,
while from the brown eyes shone a
clear, steady light.
81 saw you leave the inn," she said.
drawing near the comparatively shell
tered spot, where he stood, "and know
ing you would soon sail, followed.
There is something 1 wanted to say,
and-and felt should have no other
chance to tell you'll"
Had She read what was passing in
his brain, she would not have faced
him, so confident; but, ignorant Of
what he had learned, the cause Of
varying lights in his dark eyes, the
tender play Of emotion on his strong
features, she broached her subject
with steadfastness of purpose.
"You went away so suddenly the
last time. had no opportunity, then,
to thank you for all that you did;
and so, do noW-thank you, mean!
Also" touch Of prouder constraint
in her tone, 'T appreciate your over
generous proposal through Pierre La
roche; although, of course" her fig
ure very straight, 81 could not-it was
lmpossible-to entertain it. But I am
glad you were able to prove. You will
understanding" my lady ended
quickly, 81 thank you!"
He looked at her long. 'It is who
am in your debit"
"You?" Her brows lifted.
eyes"
"I-dont think I quite understand. y
In spite of herself and her resolution,
the proud eyes seemed to shrink from
nameless something in his gaze.
Nor 1! Nanette was talking with
me last night"
''Nanette!"
In words, direct, unequivocal, he
told her what he had learned; and al
though my lady laughed, as at some
thing absurd, and stroYe to maintain
an unvarying mien, his eyes chal-
lenged evasion; demanded truth! At
that moment the space where they
stood seemed, perhaps, too small; to