The Forrest City times., 1913-10-10
CHAPTER XVIII.
The mountebsnk and Ny Lady.


 The Governors daughter" Had the light been stronger they must have seen the start the mountebank gave. "Impossible."
 "Eh' What" Surprised in turn. the officer gazed at him You dare out with him!" To the soldiers.
 But in moment had the mounte- bank recovered his old demeanor, and, without waiting for the troopers to obey the commandant's order. walked voluntarily toward the door and into the passage.
 Our supper. Our supper!" num- Der of the prisoners. crowding for ward, began once more to call lustily. when again was the disk-studded woodwork swung unceremoniously to, cutting short the sound of their lam entations
 "Dogs," 1aleyolently the dwarf gazed back. "To want to gorge them selves on a holy day."
 "Pious Jacques murmured the commandant. But always said you made Q model landlord!"
  bled the other.
 Al any rate he doesn't seem to ap- pr. ate his good fortune" with a glance at the mountebank
 No" jeerIng. "A gallant cavalier to step blIthely a a great lady's com mand, your Ladyship overwhelms mel" lowing grotesquely Your d
 Why. then. need you take me-" in terposed the mountebank quickly Can you not tell her Iadyship 1 am not fit to appear in her presence-an uncouth clown"
 Bah, I've already done that" an swered the commandant
 But how came her ladyship to know of me-here-?"
 How indeed?'
 And what does she want of me-
 That" roughly. you will find out!" and stepped down the hall, followed by the soldiers. mountebank and dwarf, the last of whom took leave of them at the door
 Clear was the night. the stars. like liquid drops about tu fall, caressed with slvcry rays the granite piles Tn contrast to the noisome atmosphere of the prison. faint perfumes. borne from some fowery slope of the dis rtant shore. swept lsnguorously in and out the open aislcs and passages ot the Mount In such an hour that up per region seemed 10 belong entirely 10 the sky: to partake of it's WoHdrous stiffness. to share its mysteries and it's secrets Like intruders penetrat ing an enchanted spot, now they trod soft shadows; then. dangerous, bea; beneath foot delicate laceworks of light
 Here We are!" The officer stopped At the same time upon nearby bal cony nightingale began to sing. ten tatively. as if trying the scope and quality Of it's voice. You are 10 20 in!" he announced abruptly
 Such fine palac,l l--I would rather not" muttered the fellow. az they crossed an outer threshold and proceeded to mount some polished stairs,
 Stubborn dolt. Now In you march. q pauslng before s door. But, hark you! l and my men remain without So. mind your behavior. or" A look from the commandant completed the sentence.
 Alone. in an apartment of the pal ace. some moments later. the mounte, banks demeanor underwent quick change: he glanced hastily toward the door the commandant had closed in leaving. and then. with sudden bright ening gaze. around him. as if making note of every detail of his surround ings. Set with columns of warm hued marble. relieved with ornate carvings and designs. the spacious chamber presented an appearance at once graceful and charming. Nor were it's furnishings at variance with It's architectural elegance: on every hand soft colors met the eye, in rugs Of ancient pattern; in tapestries. sub dued: in the upholstering of Breton oak A eliminating note was in the center of the room. where a great bunch of roses opened wide their petals.
 But briefly. however. the clown per,