Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-09-18

him steadily. -On the Noun, IS. Or
should be. plenty for an Co seek
Tor yourself.
-Pardi!" softly. Here's one dares
speak his mind.
4 speak plainly. in a tone Of au-
thority, and you would do well 10
heed"
Perhaps" interposing- What say
you, comrades?"
Evil smiles illumined evil faces
they. who had just been on the point
Of blows among themselves. now re
garded one another with common IN
Outstanding. One weighed tentatively
that delicate weapon. a spontoon' a
second stroked his halberd. as liking
to feel the smoothness OF the shaft.
while a third reached for a cleaning
"Folard's Partizan" And in the glare
of the fire every implement showed
sign il had been used that night. The
point OF the spontoon was as steel
crusted DER; the ak OF the halberd
might have come from a boucherle'
the blade of the "Partizan" resembled
a great leaf at autumn-time. This last
wavered perilously near the uncon-
scious burden: had the man made
movement to resist, would nave
struck: but the black eyes, only,
combated-held the blood-shot ones
Though not for long; again the weap'
on seemed about to dart forth; the
man about to hurl himself and his bur
den desperately aside, when, from
above. came the sound of hoarse
laughter and singing, and simultane
ously a number of peasants. Bretons
nv their dress. burst into view.
o'Eb. cockatoo. what now!"
"Eh. cockatoo!" shrilly. "Who would
you be killing
"A selfish fellow that refuses tc
share!" answered he of the halberd
as if little pleased at the interruption
Refuses to share, does he?" she
repeated, and, staggering down
peered forward; only to start back
THE Black Seigneur!"
THE Black Selgneur!
Those who accompanied her-a
rough rabble from field and forest
gazed. not without surprise, or uncouth
admiration, at one whose name anc
fame were well known on that north
ern coast; but these evidences Oh
rough approval were not shared by the
alien rogues. On my lady's finger the
gem spanked; held their eyes ike a
lure. Black Seigneur, or not they
muttered sullenly, what knew they OF
her he had with him; whose hand was
not that of cinder-wench or scullery
maid? Let them look at her race
She might be a great lady-she mign'
he the Governors daughter herself!
"The Governors daughter! All
alike, caught at the word.
"And If she were!" fiercely tnt
Black Seigneur confronted them.
While, hesitating. they sought for
renlv. quickly he went on. Who hat
a better right to her? The Blacf
Seigneur! The Lady Elise! HarshiJ
he laughed. Was 1t not fair spoil! hi
Excellency's enemy; his Excellency'
daughter. Did they think treasure
sweeter than revenge? Let them tr!
to rob him of 1t! AS for the ring
CONTEMPORARY he took it from m!
lady's hand; threw it among them.
A few scrambled, others were Still
for finishing the tragedy then. tn
i roo,,lo varsus the lords and thei
shawn. Kill at onee!" the injune
| ton had gone forth from Paris.
AS he spoke, one of the fiercest pu
ont his hand; touched my lady, whel
the fingers OF the Black Seigneu
grinped hard his throat; hurled hin
so violently back, he lay still. Con
panions sprang to his aid; certain Q
the peasants interfered.
LET him alone!"
He speaks fair!"
"Rah, Tonight all are equal.
"Your Black Seigneur is no bette
than others!"
"You lie!" In high tone the won
an with the great lady's hat broke II
cat them, my chickens! Beat We
these Paris rogues. who come only 70
the picking!"
Yes; beat them well" !.
But the runagates of the great cit
were not of a kind to submit lightly
curses and blows were exchanged
knives cleaned and swords flashed
Amid a scene of confusion, the caus
of II stayed not to witness the GU
come: running down the sloping wa
soon found himself on the sands; the
keeping to the shadows. passed aroun
the corner Of the wall.
CTo BE CONTINUED