Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-08-13

looked puzzled; then as the new-com.
ers rode straight and rapidly on to.
ward the cross. his countenance ex:
pressed a faint understanding. A
fresh relay Of men, he concluded: one
his present guard would consignF him
to, and then themselves return to the
Mount. Still was the meeting-place an
odd one. and, the demeanor OF the, two
bodies Of men not entirely consistent
with his conclusions; for. a. they
drew nearer, both parties slackened
their pace, suspiciously to scrutini1e
each other. 4 {i$3
"Twenty-the number agreed upon!'
muttered the Marquis. and squirting on
fast led his troops nearer the cross.
Not many PAGES distant the word
was given to halt, and, as they obeyedi
on the other side OF the monument the
strange men likewise drew rein. At
the same moment, there flashed on the
captive's mind a discovery. These
faces, looking so grimly out over the
marshy deld at them, were not the
wooden visages Of paid soldiers. but Of
men he knew-his men! Across the
space separating the two parties he
could read their quick looks-their
satisfac tion-their complacency He
watched them with eyes in which
pride and tenderness mingled. And
then, for the first time, did he observe
they had brought some one with them
Ia woman, or a girl-the Governors
daughter! Z. 5S5 4
a. az The bold black eyes of the prisoner
regarded 4 her fxedly. What did Il
mean? said his keen gaze. Colorless
as marble, my lady held herself very
erect on her horse; then while his
glance yet probed her, the proud face
slowly changed; on the cold cheek
youths bright banner flared high. The
young man turned; following the al.
1rection Of her gaze, looked at the Mar
quis; my lords features radiated fe-
licitations; his eyes shone with vel
come. And fuller understanding
came over the prisoner; in some mys-
terious manner had the Lady Elise
been made captive, and now had the
nobleman come to escort :his bstrothed
back to the palace.
Even as the Black Seigneur reached
this conclusion, he became cognizant
his bonds had been loosened; the reins
placed In his hands. You are free"
said a voice and mechanically he rode
toward his comrades. s355
Thus. near the crumbling and time
worn cross, was the exchange OF pris.
oners effected; the girl, whirled away
by my lord. who seemed fearful OF
treachery. and the Black Seigneur left
to the greeting Of his men.
Now, by the tuneful Nine"the
poet, Gabriel Gabarie. pushing his bur
" form to the front. was the first to
extend q hand-"but from your looks,
the Governor looks i'll to the welfare
Of his lodgers!" sS
X '''And had we not captured my lady,.
spoke up another, gazing after n the
party OF the Marquis. "he would have
looked yet worse to the welfare Of one
OF them. no Doubt"
Drink this, Seigneur:;" cried q
third; you must drink this-a spe-
cial bottle we brought for the coca
sion !" q I. ~ s.i n i:, 4.
..'Sent by old Pierre when he heard
we were coming for you!" added the
poet "Your drinking-cup. lads! I'm
fasten the skin for yourselves! To
mon capitaine =" & B
Once, twice, deeply they drunk
toast and vintage alike to their taste;
then Strengthening, looked at the Black
seigneur whose eyes yet burned in the