Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-17
CHAPTER xxxIk
Near the Altar.

epringing back and drawing his own,
he held himself in an attitude OF de-
Tense. in this matter are we, or
should we be-of a mind!"
""We!" My lords weapon played
in fierce curves and flashes; he
laughed derisively.
Il am here to serve her ladyship--
Il ] CAM"
"You!" A rapid coup de tierce was
the Marquis reply. you! Whose out
laws carried her off before! You are
pleased to jest, Monsieur Bandit"
'sNo jest, my Lord" coo]ly. More
over. it is you who serve her ladyship
I'll at such moment in"
j. "N1on dieu! You instruct"
IT have no wish for this combat,
Monsieur lie Marquis!" AS he spoke.
the Black Seigneur retreated slowly
toward the door. 'But if you press
too close"
"Ma fol! You talk very brave, but
I notice your legs take you backward
However, it will not serve; you shall
not escape"
mo" His back now against the
door, the Black Seigneur defended
himself with his right Land, the while
his left felt behind for bolt which it
found; shot into place. Then let US
remove temptation by locking the
door,"
''What! You did, then, intend"
A sudden fierce pounding from with
out on the door, interrupted.
1T was necessary to keep them out
but it will be only for a moment.
So put up your blade!" peremptori!y.
"There is no time to lose"
"You IRE right" The Marquis
face expressed scorn and unreasoning
anger: his sword leaped to an accel-
Grated tempo There is no time to
dose. shall honor you! The Mar
quis de Beauyillers will stop to cheat
the fourches patibulaires!" And my
lord lunged, dangerous and clever
thrust that was met; answered. From
the Marquis hand the blade New;
struck the pavement: at the same
tlmS, renting anu NSdi iNS VI noON
came from the door.
The Back Seigneur leaped forward;
but the stroke his adversary, now dis
armed, expected. fell not on him; d.
rected toward a lamp overhead, solo
source. OF illumination of the CORR.
dor. the weapon struck hard. Shat
tered by the blow. the ornamental con.
trivance: crashed to the floor; the
place was plunged in darkness.
Save yourself. my Lord" said 6.
calm voice. and my lady. standing, as
it were, In The center OF vortex OF
wildly rushing figures, felt her waist
suddenly clasped; herself swept on!
Once or twice she struggled; resisted,
hardly knowing what she did; but the
sound OF a low. determined voice, not
unfamiliar to her, and the conscious
ness Of physical force--or was 1t all
physical?-that seemed to beat down
her will, left no choice but to obey.
Darkness gave way to waves or
light; reflections OF fame surrounded
them; black trails OF smoke colled
around. The girls strength went; her
breath came faster. A thick cloud
choked her; she wished only to stop,
when arms closed about her.
! Upward! Still upward! BY wind
ing stairs, through passages and door
ways, vaguely she felt herself borne,
until cold breath Of air. blowing
suddenly in her face, revived her;
awoke her TO confused realization Of
the place they had at last reached
the upper platform at the head OF the
long, open stairway of granite. And
with that consciousness. she again
sought to free herself; but, for an in
slant the arms held tighter, while a
dark face bent close, scanning her
features, then abruptly he released
her.
your Ladyship is uniniured?"
eyes; yes!"
Zone moment" Turning, he left
her, and walking to the verge OF that
open space, searched quickly the waste
of darkness below, far out to sea. The
girls glance followed him; wavered;
her first apprehension awoke anew.
Her father! Where was he? She
clasped her hands despairinglr as she
gazed down the Mount: then around
her. Suddenly. q bright patch OF
light-open doorway to the church
caught her eye and she started. AT
the picture, framed by the masonry
which the glow revealed. low excla
mation cell from her lips. and crossing
the platform. and descending a few
steps, she ran to the entrance Of the
sacred edifce.
"Eh. your E1cellency; has your Eek
cellency any orders" sounded voice
There, before an altar, in the dim
flicker Of candles and the variegated
cleaning from the ancient stained
glass windows, she saw at last hin
she sought; in one Of the chapels, neal
bhe white marble monument TO hel
mother. was his EXcellencr: but. MOI
alone! Before him stood, or hall