The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-12-05

AS for you" observed Buckhurst,
glancing up at US where we stood
%speechless together, you will be
judged and sentenced when this drum.
head court decides. Go into that
room!"
The countess did not move.
Speed touched her arm; she looked
up quietly, smiled, and stepped across
the threshold. Speed followed; JAG
queline slipped in beside him, and then
l turned on Buckhurst, who had Just
ordered his soldiers to surround the
house outside.
He motioned toward the door with
leveled weapon. ! turned and entered
the tearcom, and he locked the door
from the outside.
The countess, seated on the sofa,
looked up as l appeared. She was ter
ribly pale, but she smiled as my heavy
eyes met hers.
is 1t to be farce or tragedy, mon
sieur?" she asked, without a tremor in
her clear voice.
could not have uttered a word to
save my life. Speed, pacing the room.
turned to read my face; and think he
read 1t, for he stopped short in his
tracks.
DO they mean to shoot us?" he
asked, blunty.
"Messieurs," said the countess. with
a faint smile, your whispers are no
compliment to my race. Pray honor
me by plain speaking. Are we to dep
We stood absolutely speechless be.
fore her.
"Ah, Monsieur ScarEett," she said,
gravely, do you also fail me -.
at the endY You, too-even
you? Must l tell you that we.
OF TTecourt fear nothing in this
world?'
Are we to def" she asked.
Yes, madame"
Thank you" she said, softly. "Why
do you look at me so sadly, Monsieur
ScarlettP Truly, you must know that
my life has been bong enough to prove
It's ~uselessuess. l had rather die with
you than live without the friendship
which l beteve-which I Knows
mine. You see l have nothing to re-
greet in a death that brings me to you
again. Do YOU repret Iiga9"
Not now" l said.
You are kind to say so. l believe
yes, / know that you truly care for me.
l.. Do your"
Eyes"
Then it will not be hard. Z.
Perhaps not even very painful"
The key turning in the door startled
US. Buckhurst entered, and through
the hallway l saw his ~dishevelled sol
diers running, finging open doors,
tearing, trampling, pillaging, wrecking
everything in their path.
Your business will be attended to
in the garden at dawn" he observed,
blinking about the room, for the bright
lamp light dazzled him.
The countess did not even glance up
as the sentence was pronounced; she
looked at me and laid her left hand on
mine, smiling, as though waiting for
the moment to resume an interrupted
conversation.
He went away, slamming and lock-
ing the door; and l heard Mornac com
planning that the signals had gone out
on the %semaphore and that there was
more threachery abroad.
Get me a horse!" said Buckhurst.
There are plenty Of them in the
stables. Mornac, you stay here; III
ride over to the semaphore."
Where are you going?" demanded
Mornac's angry voice. do you expect
me to stay her while you start for
Paris"
You have your orders" said Buck
hurst, menacingly. silence, you fool.
Do you obey orders or not?"
Their voices receded. Speed sprang
to the door to listen, then ran back TO
the window.
Scarlet" he whispered, there are
the lights Of a vessel at anchor of
Groix."
was beside him in an instant. ITS
the cruiser" l said. "Oh, Speed, for a
chance to signal"
Jacqueline, standing beside Speed,
said quietly: 81 could swim 1t, Wait.
Raise the window a little"
She cautiously unlocked the window
and peered out into the dark garden.
"The cliff falls sheer from the wall
%yonder," she whispered. 81 shall try
to drop. l learned much in the circus.
l am not afraid, Speed. l shall drop
into the sea-"
TO your death" l said.
Possibly, m'sieu, 1t is a good death,
however. l am not afraid"
CLOSE the window" muttered Speed.
They'd shoot her from the wall, any
way"
Again the child gravely asked per
mission to try.
NO." said Speed, harshly, and
turned away. But in that instant JAG
queline flung open the window and
vaulted into the garden. Before l
could realize what had happened she
was a glimmering spot in the dark
ness. Then Speed and | followed hcr,
running swiftly toward the foot Of the
garden, but we were too late: q Slim.