Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-09-04

4
voice pitched higher; land they came
prepared, not for one man. but the
guard!"
still it was very ill-advlsed-a great
mistake-to have taken the shorter
way through the forest alone"
THE proposal did not originate with
me! Elise suggested it. She seemed
in a wild, headstrong mood; nothing
would stop her Now" moodily he
rose, mon Dieu! What has she
brought upon herself? Where Is she
now?"
His Excellency did not stir; his
face, like pale mask, was turned
aside. Il do not think" he said slow
ly, as arguing to convince himself
she is in any immediate danger"
, But my lord caught irritably at the
word. mo danger! She is surround
ed by it. And we? what are we to
do? Sit idly here? Give me a ship,
your Excellency, and l will follow the
boat of this Black Seigneur. and when
find it, force them to"
"What?" The Governors eyes
swerved DULY. Have you forgotten
their threat? Their last words to you
that if we attempted to follow, to res
cue-that, rather than give her up
'They would not dare!" cried my
lord with sparkling glance.
But his Excellency shook his head
mo; no; 1t won't do! And now,
again looking away, leave me, my
Lord, to consider" With which, the
interview, as unsatisfactory to the one
as the other, terminated.
- Several days that passed were not
calculated either to alleviate his Elk
cellency's anxiety, or the Marquis Inn
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 ard vanished,
and from none OF the Governors yes
sells, or any of the fishing craft could
be cleaned information OF its where
abouts. My lord, the Marquis. annoyed
at what seemed. but fruitless delay
was still f0rSsattine lhrth and inviting
battle; but OF this his .Excellency
would not hear. arguing, no. doubt. to
himself that in temparizing lay great
er assurance of salety to his daughter
than In precipitate action. So the sit
uation grew hourly more trying, until
AS II 1t already were not intolerable
enough!-a new concern added iron
ical weight to present perplexities.
My young lord, between whom and
the master of the Mount had been
growing a more strained relationship
sought the Governor one day, and, In
excited tones, announced he had just
learned that the prisoner, the Black
Seigneur, was III and probably would
survive but short time longer in the
dungeon where he was confined. AS
his Excellency 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; moistened his
lips and seemed about to speak, but
was silent, while. more anxiously the
young man went on. OF course un
I der different conditions, with care and
attention. well-lighted room and ex
cellent food.-they might hope to re
store their prisoners strength; al
least. preserve for time one so pre-
cious to themselves, upon the thread
Of whose life hung my lady's!
His Excellency still answered nc
word; only looked down, and, knitting
his brows, the young nobleman rest
lessly waited. At length, with an ex
preston on his face the Marquis had
never before seen there, his Excel
lency rose, moved like an automaton
to the bell. and called for the jailer.
Monsieur le Marquis has few In
structions to give you" The Gov
ernor's voice, but breath, told what
the words cost him.
The man responded gravely, look
ing from one to the other.
use your own judgment In the
matter. my Lord" went on his Excel
lency, and left them together.
After that, change, subtle but
deep.rooted, came over the Governor;
a silent man always, now his taciturn
ity become most marked. Under stress
of untoward circumstances. all the
guests at the Mount. save the young
noble, departed; but his Excellency
appeared hardly to notice their going
drawing his cloak of reserve closer
about him; seemed only to ask fol
that solitude not difficult to find In
his aerial kingdom. Sometimes for q
long while he would stand In the clois
ter. gazing seward; again wander IL
the church, look at the monuments
always to pass one Of them quickly
Only on single occasion, when the
Marquis, who was daily becoming
more nervous, sought him, with ia
vorable report Of his prisoner-patient
did the Governor give sign that be
meath this apparent apathy yet stirred
malevolence and rancor.
YES, yes" he returned, a spark Of
| az oo,,ooaInd xaunu, In hia oIanra. "h6