Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-13

it: You see they mad learned bit,
terly, "of your intention 10 hang him
after the wedding!"
From which you infer?"
"Tbey will keep her as hostage! In.
deed, they said as much, when
They bound you, my Lord?"
The color came to the young mans
face 1T was a trap" he said, his
voice pitched higher; "and they came
prepared, not for one man, but the
guard"
Still it was very ill-advised-a great
mistake-to have taken the shorter
way through the forest alone"
THE proposal did not originate with
me! Elise suggested il. She seemed
in wild, headstrong mood; nothing
would stop her. Now" modify he
rose. mon dieu! What has she
brought upon herself? Where is she
now?"
His Excellency did not stir; his
face, like a pale mask. was turned
aside. 81 do not think" he said slcw-
~, as arguing to convince himself,
SHE is in any immediate danger"
But M lord caught irritably at the
word. mo danger! She is surround
ed by it. And We? what are We to
do? Sit idly here? Give me ship.
your Excellcncy, and I will follow the
boat of this Black Snigneur, and when
find it, force them to-"
"What?" The Governors eyes
swerved duly. Have you forgotten
their threat? Their last words to you
that if we attempted to follow. to res
cue-that, rather than give her up"
"Thoy would not dare!" cried my
lord with sparkling glance.
But his Excellency shook his head.
NO; no; it won't do! And now"
again looking away. leave me, my
Lord, to consider" With which, the
interview, as unsatisfactory TO the one
as the other. terminated.
Several days that passed were not
calculated either to alleviate his Elk
calleny's anxiety, or the Marquis i'm.
patience; for during that period OF
waiting came no word OF M lady. O.
news Of her cap;ors. Mysteriously as
a phantom ship had the boat that haG
carried the Governors daughter ava!
appeared on the coast and vanished.
and from none Of the Governors YES
sells, or any Of the fising craft could be
cleaned information Of its where
abouts. My lord. the Marquis. annoyed
at what seemed but fruitless delay;
was still For setting forth and inviting
battle; but Of this his EXcellnncy
would not hear, arguing, no doubt, to-
himself that in temporiZing lay great
er assurance of safety 10 his daughter
than in preciDitate action. So the sit.
uation grew hourly more trying. until
as If 1t already w1ro not intclerable
enough!--a now concern added iron
zeal weight to present perpleXities.
My young lord. between whom and
the master Of the Mount had been
growing q more strained relationship,
sought the Governor one day. ard, in
excited tones, announced lie had just
learned that tho prisoner. the Black
Syigacur. was III and probably would
survive but short time longer in the
dungeon where lie vas confined. As
lis Excellency kncG. the fellow had
been wounded, and now with scant-
noUrshmclt, want OF air. and close
quarters. was generally in q bad way.
His Excc!lency heard; moistened his
lips and seemed abJu. TO speak, but
was silent. while more aDXiously the
Young man went on. OF course I'M
Ter different conditions, with care and
Intentional wel!-lishted room and cX.
client food-thcy might hope to re.
store their prisoners strength; al
least. preserve for a time one so pre-.
ions to themselves. upon the thread
Il whose life hung ny lady's!
His EXcellency still answered nc
word: only looked down, and. knitting
MS brows. the young nobleman rest
essly waited At length. with an eX.
preston on his face the Marquis hac
never before seen there. lis Excel
lency rose. moved like III automator
10 the bell, and called for Inc jailer.
"2lonsier le Marquis mas Il few in
structions to give you The Gov
errors voice, but Il breath, told what
The words cost him.
The man responded g"avely, look
ing from one to the Other.
Use your own Judgment in tho
matter, my Lord" went on his Excel
lency, and left them together.
After ,hat, a change. subtle but
deep-rootcd, came Over the Governor;
a silent man always, now his taciturn
ity become most marked. Under stress
Of Untoward circumstances, al TIC
guests al The Mount, save the young
noble. departed: bit his Eycallcnc!
appeared hardly to notice their going;
drawing his cloak Of reserve closer
about him: seemed only 20 ask fol-
that solitude, not difficult TO find il
his aerial kingdom. Sometimes for
long while lie would stand in the clois.
ter. gazing seward; again wander il