Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-08-27
lie LADY0G'<,,
Tie MOUNTSff73.7fAs4
By FREDERIC g ISNAM II
AUTHOR or THE sdROLLERS DhDER TIL ROI TIC.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY Ts,4I 1OAkT=RS
cosrsSn 800 By m CO.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY T314/ 1OAkTERS

! happened to the Black Seigneur, thel
would hold her, Elise. answerable fol
it? You see they had learned" bit
terly, of your intention to hang hin
after the wedding,"
From which you infer?"
They viii keep her as hostage! In
deed. they said as much. when"
They bound you. my Lord?"
The color came 10 the young mans
face. II was a trap" be said. his
voice pitched higher; land they came
prepared. not for one man. but the
guard"
Still II Eas very ill-advised-a great
mistake-to have taken the shorter
way through the forest alone"
The proposal did not originate with
met Elise suggested It. She seemed
in wild. headstrong mood; nothing
would stop her Now" moodily he
rose. mon Dieu' What has she
brought upon herself? Where is she
now"
His Excelleney did not stir; his
face, like pale mask. was turned
aside. Il do not think" he said slow.
~. as arguing TO convince himself.
she is in any immediate danger"
But my lord caught irritabiy at the
word. NO dangeri She is surround
ed by IT, And we? what are we to
do? Sit idly here? Give me ship.
your Excellency. and will follow tie
boat Of this Black Seigneur and when
find IT, force them to-"
What? ?" The Governors eyes
sweryed duly "Have you forgotten
their threat? Their last words 10 you
that II We attempted to follow. to res
cue-that, rather than give her up"
They would not darei" cried my
lord with sparkling glance
But his Excelleney shook his head
No; no; It won't do! And now. Z"
again looking away. leave me, my
Lord, to consider" With which. the
interviews. as unsatisfactory TO the one
as the other, terminated
Several days that passed were not
calculated either to alleviate his Ex-
cellency's anxiety, or the Marquis I'm.
patience; for during that period of
waiting came no word Of my lady, or
news OF her captors. Mysteriously as
phantom ship had the boat that had
carried the Governors daughter away
appeared on the coast and vanished.
and from none Of the Governors yes.
sells. or any Of the fishing craft could
be CLEANED information of It's where
abonts My lord. the Marquis. annoyed
at what seemed but frultless delay;
was still for setting forth and inviting
would not hear. arguing. no doubt. TO
himself that r temporizing lay great.
er assurance of safety to his daughter
than In precipitate action. So the SIT.
uation grew hourly more trying, until
-as IL Il already were not :ntolerable
enough "a new concern added iron
zeal weight to present perplexities.
My young lord. between whom aud
the master of the Mount had been
growing more strained Relationship.
sought the Governor one day. and. In
excited tones. announced he had lust
learned that the prisoner, the Black
Seignenr, Was III and probably would
survive but n abort time longer in the
dungeon where he was confined. As
his Excelleney knew. the fellow had
been wounded and now with scanty
nOurishment, want of air. and close
quarters, was generally In bad way.
His Excellency heard; moistoned his
lips and seemed about 20 speak, but
was silent. while more anxiously the
young man went on. or course un,
der different conditions, with care and
attentIon--a welllighted room and ex-
cellent food-they might hope to re-,
store their prisoners strength. at
least. preserve for time one SO pre-,
cious to themselves. upon the thread
OF whose life hung my lady's!
His Excellency Btill answered nc
word; only looked down, and. knitting
his brows, the young nobleman rest
iessly waited At length. with an ex
precision on his face the Marquis had
never before seen tnene. hts Excel
lency rose. moved like an automator
to the bell. and called for the iailor.
Monsieur le Marquis has = few In
structions 10 give YOU" The GOV
errors voice. but a breath. told wha
/ the words cost him,
The man responded gravcly, look
/ ing from one TO the other.
Use your own Judgment in tn
| matter, my Lord, went ON his Excel
lency. and left Them together.
after thar. change, subtle bu
! deeproCted. came over the Governor
"a silent man always, now his taclturn
it's become mos, marked Under stres
OF untoward circumstances. all tn,
guests a, the Mount, save the younl
noble, departed, but his Fsxeellenc.
| appeared hardly TO notice their going
drawing ais cloak OF reserve close
about him, seemed only to ask 70