Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-11-21
CHAPTER XVIII.


heavens an unbroken blue. Shoreward
the mists rolled UP, until only in the
neighborhood of the forts did the
white, soft vapor linger. On the Mount
itself sunshine held sway; 1t radiated
from the fortifications, "cuirass Of the
rock" and cleaned on the church,
"tiara Of its majesty" 1t warmed a
cold palace Of marble; looked in at It's
windows, and threw bold shafts to
tighten dark hooks and corners.
But my lady, mistress Of the Mount,
seemed not to feel its benefcent
touch; standing in the full glow and
looking from her easement she shiv-
cred a little. Already was she
dressed, and her habit of dark green,
fitting close, served to accentuate the
whiteness of her cheek which general
absence of color, in turn, made the
more manifest certain dark lines be-
meath the restless, bright eyes.
Your Ladyship!" After knocking
in vain, Marie had entered the room
and set down the small tray she car
ried. There is something your Lady
ship ought to know!" with an air of
| excitement.
The Governors daughter half
turned. What now, Marie?" she said
sharply.
Its about Nanette!" My lady made
quick movement of annoyance, i'm
patience. 81 did not tell your Lady
ship, but / was averse to having her
remain here. Your Ladyship does not
L ~
81 do understand" said my lady un-
expectedly. "And-you need not ex-
plain. l overheard you talking with
her that night of the banquet"
Your Ladyship!" startled.
"And I heard you speak Of her IA
ther, Pierre Laroche, friend Of the
Black Seigneur."
"And engaged her-after that!"
"Why not? l could watch-and l
have! But you were wrong, Marie"
My lady's manner was feverish. "Your
suspicious were ridiculous. There has
been nothing-nothing And day aft
er tomorrow is the wedding celebra-
tion, and the next day, he, the Black
Seigneur-" She broke off abruptly.
Had Marie been less wrought up,
less excited, less concerned with the
information she had to impart, she
could not have failed to notice the odd
break in her young mistress' voice;
something unusual, almost akin to de-
spair, in her manner. AS it was, that
which weighed on the old nurses
mind precluded close observation of
the other.
"But something has happened, my
Lady," the woman half stammered.
Comment" The girl turned to her
sharply. What? Explain, Marie!"
Disconnectedly, the woman launched
into a narration of the events of the
night before; my lady listened closely,
with an interest and excitement she
strove to conceal, half turning so that
the other saw no longer her face.
"And here" ended Marie, extending
a crumpled fragment Of paper, us q
piece Of the note she dropped on the
beach. The man tore 1t up, but in
thrusting the bits of paper into his
pocket this fell out, and, after he
walked away, picked 1t up myself
from the sand. / can't read, as your
Ladyship knows, and there isn't much
. on it-only a word or two! But II
may tell something"
My lady's face was now composed;
the hand she extended, steady; fol
several moments she regarded the
, fragment.
What does 1t say?" asked the WON
an anxiously. "Is it's 1t Important 2
Her mistress did not at once an
swer; twisting the bit of paper in hel
.. fingers, stood as If in thought, and the
old nurse repeated her question.
"This note might have been sntend
ed for some admirer!" said, at length
the Governors daughter slowly.
"He looked more like an old priva
teersman!" murmured the woman
"And there may be some plot-somI
, plan!"
"Privateersmanl" The girls man
ner underwent change; she shrugged
her shoulders. "What could they hop,
, to do at the Mount! You are imagina
tive, Marie!" lightly. "Nanette II
good-looking. and what little is herr
j would seem to signify rendezvous
, There may be no great harm in that.
II am sorry, my Lady, to seem t
! think i'll of my own kim" muttered th'
woman dejectedly, "but-"
think no more OF It! You hav
done your duty. Now leave the mat
ter to me, and-thank you. Marie!"
When, however, the old nurse ha'
gone, all pretense of lightness fade
from the face of the Governors daugh
ter, and, opening the bit of paper, ono
more she scrutinized 1t swiftly, In
tently.
Tomorrow-Monaster st. Ranu--
she read. Eyes; 1t must mean st. Rar
ulphe-where we are going. An
where Beppo knew We were going
Beppo, she went down on the beac
! With" Again she studied the fral
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