The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-02


mo doubt" said the Governor
daughter absently, as the other pre
pared to leave the room
Alone. the girl remained for several
moments motionless before the grea;
Venetian mirror; then mechanically
hardly looking at the reflection tho
glass threw back at her. she fnishcd d
her toilet. This task accomplished
still she stood with brows CLOSELY
drawn: afar the hute-like voices OF
the choir-boys arose from difreren,
parts Of the Mount. but she did not
seem to hear them; made a sudde y
quick gesture and walked toward the
door In the manner of one who has
arrived at some resolution.
Passing down corridor. she
reached an arched opening whose mas.
sive door swung easily to her touch.
and let herself out by a private way.
which had once been the ancient ab.
bots way. to an isolated corner of a
small secluded platform. From this
point a stairway led up to q passa sc
spanning . great gulf. Below ard
aside, where the red-tiled houses clung
to the steep slope OF the rock. fut.
tered many flags; yet the girl did not
pause either to contemplate or ad.
mire. Only when her glance passed
seaward and rested on the far-away
oceans rim Of light. did she stop for
an instant-mid-way on the bridge.
then, compressing her lips. moved ON
the faster; down the incline on the
other side; UP winding stairs between
giant columns. reaching. at length,
that bright and grateful opening, the
cloister. With an unvarying air o.
resolution she stepped forward;
looked in: the place was empty-si.
lent save for the tinkling Of the tiny
fountain In the center.
Are you looking for some one. my
Lady!"
The voice was that Of Beppo, who
was regarding her from an angle In
the cloister walk.
II am looking for his EAcellency. ]
suppose he Is"
In the apartments Of state. my
Lady. But" The girl frowned.
But, butt" she said. But what?"
His Exoellency has left word-he
was expecting minister from Paris
that no ono else was to be admitted;
Tho matter was % important that he
Wished no Interruptions"
She had already turned. however:
moved on past him without answer.
A. the inner entrance to the little
onsOe" OF chatelet. which presently
she reached. the girl stopped. Here,
without. In the shadow Of two huge
Cylindrical towers, that crowned the
teudal gate-house, q number Of sol.
daers, seated on the steps, clinked
their swords and talked: within, be-
meath the high.vaulted dome Of the
suard+room lolled the commandant
and several ofnoers on . bench before
Q largo window. Immediately on her
appearance they rose. but. merely
bowling SHINY. she started toward a
portal on the left. Whereupon the
commapdart started forward, dn'.-
ep'itliy wouId have spoken--stopped
her, when at the same moment, the
door she was approaching opened, and
the governor himself appeared At
the sight Of her he started; a shade Of
annoyance crossed his thin features,
then almost Immediately vanished;
bis cold eyes met hers expectantly.
II have been told you were very
busy. yet ! must Gee you; 1t is very
Important"
A fraction Of q moment he seemed
70 hesitate; then with an absent air:
Certainly, I was very busy; never.
theless--" he stepped aside: permit
ted her to pass. and softly closed the
door. With the same preoccupied air
he walked to his table before one of
the large fireplaces whose pyramidal
canopiss merged into the ribs of the
vaulting Of noble chamber, and,
seating himself in a cushioned chair,
looked down at few embers.
81 came" standing. with her fingers
straight and stiff on the cold marble
edge OF the table, the girl began to
speak hurriedly, constrainedly, 81
wanted to see you-about the prison
ers-"
He did not answer. Gently stroking
bis wrist. as II the dampness from
some subterranean place had got into
II. he evinced no sign he had heard:
and this apathy and his apDarent dia-
regard Of her awoke more strongly
the feeling she had experienced SO
often since that day In the cloister,
when he had promised to set free the
servant OF the Black Seigneur; had
Kept his word, indeed. but
Cant you see." she forced herself
70 continue. after what the man San.