Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-30

fcrget &: The tsflible night, the
troop-ship, the Killed and wounded.
And the poor fellows taken prison
ers! can not but think of them and
their fate. What will it be-"
The other did not answer; only i'm
patiently moved his injured arm and,
regarding him. the down-turned, dark
countenance, the knit brows, quickly
the priest changed the subject of con-
versation.
In the large room some one began
to play, and before the fire, where
now the birds were turning and the
serving-lad, with long spoon was
basting, the dark-browed girl started
to dance. At the side of the hearth
old Pierre smoked stolidly, gazed at
the Goals, and dreamed-perhaps of
the past, and dangers he had himself
encountered, or of the present, and his
ships scattered-where?- profit
able, if precarious errands. Somberly,
in no freer mood than on the occasion
Of their first visit to the inn, the crew
looked on; but tall, savage-appear-
ing islander soon matched her step;
second took his place; from one
partner to another she passed-wild,
reckless men whose touch she did
not shun; yet It might have been no.
ticed her eyes turned often, through
wreaths of smoke, mist-like in the
glare and glimmer Of dips and torches,
toward the Black Seigneur.
Why-her gaze seemed to say-did
he not join them, instead of sitting
there with a priest? She whirled to
the threshold; her flushed face looked
in. Are you saying mass for the
souls Of your men who were cap
tured?"
~ see," he returned quietly, "you
have been gcssiping."
"a woman's privileged" she flashed
back. "But how did it happen? And
not only your ARM" more sharply re-
garding him, "but your head! l fancy
If were 10 push back few locks of
that thick hair I should discovcr-it
must have been a pretty blow you got
my Seigneur Solitude!" He made no
reply and she went on. you, who
thought were never beaten! BY a
mere handful Of troops, too! Did you
have to run away very fast? II were
Il man"
Your tongue would be less sharp"
he answered coolly, the black eyes in
different.
Much you care for my tongue!"
she retorted.
"No?"
"No!" she returned mocklngly, when
above the din Of voices, the cracking
Of the fire, ard the wild moaning OF
the wind in the chimney, low, but
distinct and prolonged call was heard
from somewhere without, below.
"What is that?" Quickly Nanette
turned; superstitious, after the fashion
of most OF her people, q little Of the
color left her check. Again was it
waited to them, nearer, palmer! 1.-THE
voices of dead men from the sea"
more like some one on the steps
who would like TO get in--some Usher
man who has just got 10 shore!" said
old Pierre Laroche, waking up and
cmptying his pipe. Throw open the
door. The stones are slippery-the
night dark"
One of the crew obeyed, and, as the
wind entered sharply, and the lights
flicEered and grew dim, there half
staggered, half rushed from the
gloom, the figure Of man, wild, wet,
whose clothes we're torn and whose
face was freshly cut and marked with
many livid signs OF violence.
"Sanchez!" From his place the
Black Seigneur rose.
The others looked around wonder
ingly; some with rough pity. whats
the matter, man." said one. you
look as if you had had bad fall"
Fall" Standing in the center Of
the room, where he had come to a
Sudden stop, the man gazcd, Devil
dcred, resentful, about him; then
above the circle OF questioning faces,
his uncertain look lifted; caught and
remained fixed on that Of the Black
Scigneur. "Fall?" he repeated, articu-
lating with difficulty. mo! I had
no fail-but l will spcak-with my
master-alone!