The Forrest City times., 1913-12-19

him steadily. ~~- the Mount is. or should be. plenty for all! Go seek for yourself!"
 "Pardi!" softly. Here's one dares speak his mind!
 q speak plainly" in a tone of au- thority, "and you would do we'll to 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 un- derstanding. One weighed tentatively that delicate weapon, a spontoon; a second stroked his halberd, as liking to feel the smoothness of the shaft, while third reached for gleaming "Folard's Partizan." And in the glare of the fire every implement showed sign 1t had been used that night. The point of the spontoon was as steel crusted OCT; the ax of the halberd might have come from a boucherie; 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 have 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 by their dress. burst into view.
 ''Eh. cockatoo. what now!"
 "Eh. cockatoo!" shrilly Who would you be killing?"
 "A selfish fellow that refuses to share," answered he of the halberd as if little pleased at the interruption
 Refuses to share. does her" she repeated. and swaggering down. peered forward; only to start back The Black Seigneur."
 The Black Seigneur."
 Those who accompanied her--a rough rabble flynn field and forest gazed, not withoGt surprise, or uncouth admiration, at one whose name and fame were we'll known on that north ern coast; but these evidences of rough approval were not shared by the alien rogues. On my lady's finger the gem sparkled; held their eyes like a lure. Black Seigneur, or not. they Suttered sullenly. what knew they of her he had with him; whose hand was not that of cinder-w wench or scullery maid? Let them look at her face! She might be great lady-she might be the Governors daughter herself
 The Governors daughter" All. alike. caught at the word
 And if she were!" fercely the Black Seigneur confronted them.
 While. hesitating. they sought for reply. quickly he went on. Who had better right to her? The Black Segneur, The Lady Elise. Harshly he laughed. Was 1t not fair spoil? Ills EXcellency's enemy; his Excellency's daughter Did they think treasure SNttbtI man ItFtU6t. LSt IUtUl tfS 10 rob him of it! As for the ring? Contemptuously he took it from my lady's hand; threw 1t among them
 A few scrambled, others were still for finishing the tragedy then. fhe people versus the lords and their spawn. XII at once!" the injunc- tion had gone forth from Paris
 AS he spoke, one of the fiercest put out his hand; touched my lady. when the fingers of the Black Seigneur gripped hard his throat; hurled him so violently back. he lay still Com panions sprang to his aid; certain of the peasants interfered
 Let him alone."
 He speaks fair!"
 Bah. Tonight all are equal"
 Your Black Seigneur is no better than others"
 You lie." In high tone the wom- an with the great lady's hat broke in. At them, my chickens, Beat well these Paris rogues who come only for the picking"
 Yes; beat them well!"
 But the runagates of the great city were not of a kind to submit lightly; curses and blows were exchanged knives gleamed and swords flashed Amid scene of confusion, the cause of 1t stayed not to witness the out. come; running down the sloping way. soon found himself on the sands; then keeping to the shadows, passed around the corner of the wall
 ITO BE CONTINUEDD