Middletown transcript., 1912-10-05

Fair nymph, let us awayi" and the
Marquis extended his hand.
With a seemingly merry nod she
acknowledged their greetings; put out
a foot, and lightly sprang to her place
on the back Of the nervous thorough
bred. But ere giving the signal to
start, the girls glance swung around
to a window opposite, where stood an
\ austere figure, imperturbably looking
down to watch them ride off.
eau revoir, mon pere!" Her voice
rose with an odd, unusual thrill. eau
revoir!" she repeated, when a misti-
ness in her eyes suddenly blurred
sight Of him, and she tightened the
reins. Yet hestitating to go, her gaze
cleared, and swerving, was abruptly
arrested by another and more inter-
ested spectator, who, partly concealed
by flowers and plants, peered with
anxious expectancy from her own bal
cony. As Nanette's eyes met those Of
the Governors daughter, they wavered
half guiltily; suddenly became steady,
held by something's flash of impel-
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moment or two, my lady continued to
regard the girl; then touching her
horse, wheeled sharply, and set a pace
downward not easy to follow.
At the base of the Mount they were
met by a numerous guard bright in
holiday trappings, and, under the care
of the commandant, with flourish Of
horse, the party swept gaily from
sands to shore.
"a gallant company, Monsieur le
Commandant!" observed the Marquis
to the officer in charge, as they
reached the green line at the yellow
basins edge. "Now if we were to
meet an enemy"
HE would find US prepared, my
Lord!" the officer declared.
''True!" And the nobleman COM
placently touched the jeweled hilt of
his own blade, accompanying the ac-
ton with a tender glance at the Lady
Elise.
She, however, a little ahead, ap-
peared not to hear; spoke suddenly to
her horse, and, as they swung from
the sward, started at a brisk gallop
down the road. Laughing, the others
came after, lords and ladies first; be-
hind, with tumult and clatter, the COM
mandant and his men. As they adj
vanced, on either side the way thick
trunks of moss-grown monarchs up
lifted their gnarled and hoary branch
es, to meet overhead; through leafy
interstices bright flashes Of sunlight
shot downward, danced on fine gar
ments and accoutrements, and then
whisked elfishly away. In dim recesseS
finches and sparrows sang; beyond,
murmured streams and riVulets, while
at the feet of the riders, gay restless
flowers nodded, as if in accompani-
ment to the glad music of the morn.
Small wonder his EXcellency should
have desired to add this fair principal
ity to his own!" muttered the Marquis,
looking around. "Of the seven forests
of Brittany, none will compare with
this, the Desaurac woods. What think
you, Elise?" squirting his horse near
his betrothed's. "Are you not taken
by it's beauties?"
She looked at him with a start;
since leaving the sands she had not
spoken, and now, tugging at the reins,
only said abruptly: my saddle!
believe it is loose"
"Loose!" repeated the nobieman.
Careless lackeys! Let US see!" And
grasping the bride of her horse, pulled
in his own, and drew both animals to
a standstill at the side of the road.
As he dismounted to examine straps
and fastenings, the others dashed up;
my lady lightly motioned them on.
We'll soon overtake you! Don't
wait!" Unquestioning, they obeyed;
though the commandant, to whom
few moments later she delivered a
similar injunction, brought his men to
halt and proffered his services.
Whereupon the Marquis repeated the
girls words more sharply; reddening,
the officer wheeled and started to ride
on.
Il can't find anything wrong here!"
Puzzled, the Marquis Strengthened.
But her eyes were directed ahead
and she pointed with her whip to a
break in the woody barrier to the right
"a path that, springing from the
roadside, seemed to plunge into the
very heart Of the labyrinth.
Look! the short cut!-that would
bring US half an hour before them to
the ruins! Let us take It'll"
A light seemed suddenly to break on
her companion, and he sprang airily to
his saddle. "As my Lady wills!" gal
lantly.
Then call to the commandant, and
tell him we'l meet them there!"
The Marquis obeyed, and, without |
awaiting answer, or demur from the |
officer in charge Of the guard, the girl |
hicked her horse and sent him over |
a low bush into the narrow way.
Fairly in the path, she rode fast, |
and pressing hard behind, my lord |
soon found reason for doubt as to |
the advisability of that route, and a |
suspicion of regret at his own assent |
to the departure from the main thor |
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wilder and the slender green figure
fitted more and more recklessly be-
fore him, he even ventured to voice
his misgivings-advise greater care.
A shake Of the fair head was all he
received for answer and, regardless
OF the increasing roughness Of the
way, she continued to sweep on, now
uphill, then down, avoiding by a quick
turn one obstacle here, leaping anoth.
er there! From black ambush, a
branch like the arm of a Titan reached
out to seize, but adroitly she swayed
from its grasp and only the twigs and
leaves touched lightly the bent figure.
My lord, however, they struck sharp
ly, and at the sudden smart and a
quick realization of falling behind,