Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-08-13
CHAPTER XVIII.

NUp E1SSttabtOu OF INC WdFGute
The day OF my lady's riding party
dawned; in the east a tender flame
burned. and, vanishing. left the
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; it radiated
from the fortifications. "cuirass Of the
! rock" and cleaned on the church.
tiara OF its majesty" 1t warmed
cold palace Of marble; looked in at its
windows. and threw bold shafts to
tighten dark hooks and corners.
But my lady, mistress Of the Mount.
seemed not to feel Its benehcent
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
wilderness of her cheek which general
absence OF color. In turn. made the
more manifest certain dark lines be-
meath the restless, bright eyes.
your Ladyshipl" 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 knowl" with an air OF
excitement.
The Governors daughter half
turned. What now. Marie?" she said
sharply.
"It's 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
understand, of course, and"
81 do understand" said my lady I'M
expectedly "And-you need not ex-
plain. | overheard you talking with
her that night OF the banquet"
Your Ladyship!" startled.
And / heard you speak OF her ia
Their, Pierre Laroche. friend OF the
Black Seigneur."
And engaged hereafter that"
"Why not? I could watch-and
havel But you were wrong, Marie"
My lady's manner was feverish. Your
suspicious were ridiculous. There has
OeSn <Aio AtsS 49,
er tomorrow is the wedding celebra-
ton, and the next day. he, the Black
Seigneur-" She broke on 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:
alUanat a hin m de-
spair, in her manner. AS 1t 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 80 that
the other saw no longer her face.
And here" ended Marie. extending
crumpled fragment OF paper, lis a
niece 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-oniy a. word or two! But 1t
may tell something"
NV lady's face was now composed;
the hand she extended, steady; for
several moments she regarded the
fragment.
What does 1t say?" asked the wom-
an anxiously. lis it's 1t Important"
Her mistress did not at once an
swer: twisting the bit OF paper in her
fingers. stood as If in thought. and the
old nurse repeated her question.
CTo BE CONTINUED)