The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-12-04
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Iu0y luuouu IO-Hudl ClboA
The sound Of horns-signAl for the
party to gather-broke upon the air,
and, nervously crushing In her palm
the piece Of the message. she stepped
to the table, to the untasted break
fast. Like one in q dream, who yet
feels the need for haste. she poured
out the coffee: with unsteady hand
raised the cup and drank; started to
serve herself again; as II forgetful Of
the impulse, paused.
And II" she said with deeper
breath. ITO ride to the ambush they
have so cleverly planned? Allow my
self to be taken prisoner by these des-
perate men? No; no; l could not!
And yet" A trampling Of horses
hoofs in the court below interrupted.
They are ready to start!" Uncer-
tainly she lifted her head; looked
around her; then mechanically stepped
forward and left the room.
A scene Of animation greeted her in
the court, alive with lords and ladies,
for the most part already in the saddle
and waiting.
Hail to Diana, who will lead US in
the forests"
Fair nymph, let us away!" and the
Marquis extended his hand.
With a seemingly merry nod she
acknowledged their greetings; put out
foot, and lightly sprang to her place
on the back Of the nervous thorough
bred. But ere giving the signal to
start, the girls glance swung around
to window opposite, where stood an
austere figure, imperturbably looking
down to watch them ride off.
"Au revoir, mon pere!" Her voice
rose with an odd, unusual thrill. "Au
revoir!" she repeated, when a misti.
ness In her eyes suddenly blurred
sight Of him, and she tightened the
reins. Yet hesitating to go, her gaze
cleared, and swerving, was abruptly
arrested by another and more inter
ested spectator, who, partly concealed
by flowers and plants, peered with
anxious expectancy from her own bal.
cony. AS Nanette's eyes met those of
the Governors daughter, they wavered
half guiltily; suddenly became steady,
held by something's flash of impel-
ling intelligence in the others gaze. A
moment or two, my lady continued to
regard the girl; then touching her
horse, wheeled sharply, and set a pace
downward not easy to follow.
At the base of the Mount they were
met by a numerous guard bright in
holiday trappings, and, under the care
Of the commandant, with flourish of
horse, the party swept gaily from
sands to shore.
"A gallant company, Monsieur lie
Commandant!" observed the Marquis
to the officer in charge, as they
reached the green line at the yellow
basins edge. Now if we were to
meet an enemy"
He would find us prepared. my
Lord!" the officer declared.
"True!" And the nobleman com.
placently touched the jeweled hilt of
his own blade, accompanying the ac-
ton with a tender glance at the Lady
Elise.
She, however, a little ahead, ap-
peared not to hear; spoke suddenly to
her horse, and, as they swung from
the sward, started at a brisk gallop
down the road. Laughing, the others
came after, lords and ladies first; be-
hind, with tumult and clatter, the COM
mandant and his men. AS they ad-
vanced, on either side the way thick
trunks of moss-grown monarchs up
lifted their gnarled and hoary branch
es, to meet overhead; through leafy
interstices bright flashes Of sunlight
shot downward, danced on fine gar
ments and accoutrements. and then
whisked elfishly away. In dim recesses
finches and sparrows sang; beyond,
murmured streams and rivulets, while
at the feet Of the riders, gay restless
flowers nodded, as II in accompani-
nent to the glad music Of the morn.
Small wonder his Excellency should
have desired to add this fair principal
ity to his own!" muttered the Marquis,
looking around. "Of the seven forests
Of Brittany, none will compare with
this, the Desaurac woods. What think
you, Elise?" squirting his horse near
his betrotheds Are you not taken
by it's beauties?"
She looked at him with start;
since leaving the sands she had not
spoken, and now, tugging at the reins,
only said abruptly: my saddle! i
believe It is loose"
"Loose!" repeated the nobleman.