The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1913-12-05
CHI 1909 ~ TIE eoBe3 -aERRlAl CO.

The color came to the young mans
face. 1T was trap" he said, his
voice pitched higher; land they came
prepared, not for one man, but the
guard"
Still 1t vas very illadvised-a great
mlstake-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 Excenency did not stir; his
face, like pale mask, was turned
aside. i 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. No danger! She is surround
ed by 1t. 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
No; no. it won't do! And now"
again looking away, leave me, my
Lord, to consider" With which, the
as the other, terminated
Several days that passed were not
calculated either to alleviate his Ex-
cellencys anxiety, or the Marquis i'm
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 and vanished
and from none Of the Governors yes
sells. or any Of the fishing craft could
be cleaned information of it's where
abouts. My lord, the Marquis, annoyed
at what seemed but fruitless delay;
was still for setting forth and inviting
| battle; but of this his Excellency
would not hear. arguing, no doubt, to
himself that in temporizing lay great
er assurance Of safety to his daughter
than in precipitate action. So the sit
uation grew hourly more trying, until
;Dt y l.
| 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 i'll and probably would
survive but a 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 10 speak. but
was silent, while more anXiously the
young man went on. OF course TN
der different conditions, with care ant
attention--a well-liehted 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 threac
of whose life hung my ladys!
His EXcellency still answered ne
word; only looked down, and. knitting
his brows. the young nobleman rest
essly waited. At length, with an ex
preston on his face the Marquis hat
never before seen there. his Excel
lency rose moved like an automator
to the bell, and called for the jailer
Monsieur lie Marquis has a few in
structions to give you" The Gov
ernor's voice. but breath, told VIVA
the words cost him.
The man responded gravely. look
ing from one to the other.
Use your own judgment in III,
matter, my Lord" went on his Excel
lency, and left them together.
After that. a change, subtle hu
deep-rooted. came over the Governor
a silent man always, now his taciturn
ity become most marked Under stres.
of untoward circumstances, all tn,
guests at the Mount, save the yount
noble, departed, but his Excellenc,
appeared hardly to notice their going
drawing his cloak Oh reserve close
about him; seemed only to ask fo
that solitude not difficult to find II
his aerial kingdom. Sometimes for Z
long while he would stand in the clois
ter, gazing seward; again wander II
the church. look at the monument
always to pass one of them quickly
Only on a single occasion, when III,
Marquis, who was daily becomins
more nervous, sought him. with ia
vorable report of his prisoner-patient
did the Governor Siye sign that be
meath this apparent apathy Vet stirrcf