Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-08-30
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ihe He.itatlon of the MARQUIS.

The day on my laQyS r1Q1nS party
dawned; in the east tender flame
burned, and. vanishing. left the
heavens an unbroken blue Shoreward
the mists rolled up. until only in the
neigh borhood OF the forts did the
white, soft vapor linger. On the Mount
itself sunshine held sway; it radiated
from the Notifications, "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 it's benefcent
touch; standing in the full glow and
looking from her easement she shiv-
cred 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
turned What now. Marie?" she said
sharply.
IT'S about Nanette!" My lady made
quick movement of annoyance, i'm
patience ST did not tell your Lady
ship, but 1 was averse to having her
remain here. Your Ladyship does not
understand, of course, and"
81 do understand" said my lady I'M
expectedIy. "And-you need not ex-
E,plain. 1 overheard you talking with
her that night of the banquet!
Your Ladyship!" startled
And 1 heard you speak of her IA
| Their, Pierre Laroche, friend of the
| Black Seigneur-"
| And engaged hereafter that!"
why not? 4 could watch-and 1
have! But you were wrong, Marie
NV Iady's manner was feverish. Your
suspicions were ridiculous. There has
been nothing-nothing! And day aft
| er tomorrow is the wedding celebra-
ton, and the next day, he. the Black
Seigneur-'' She broke off abruptly
Had Marie been less wrought up,
| less excited, less concerned with the
| inform alton she had to impart, she
could not have failed to notice the odd
break in her young mistress voice;
| ~
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
Ladyi" the woman half stammered-
| Comment" The girl turned to her
sharply. What? Explain. Marie!
| Disconnected1y, the woman launched
into narration of the events or 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, is a
piece of the note she dropped on the
beach. The man tore it up, but IN
thrusting the bits of paper into his
| rocket this fell out, and, after he
| walked away, 1 picked it up myself
| from the sand 1 can't read, as your
Ladyship knows, and there isn't much
on it-only a word or two! But II
may tell something.
NV lady's face was now composed
| the hand she extended, steady; Tor
| several moments she regarded the
fragment
what does it say?" asked the WON
an anxiously rs it's it Important
Her mistress did not at once an
swer; twisting the bit Of paper in neI
fingers. stood as if in thought. and the
old nurse repeated her question
GRO BE CONTINUED