The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-06


bred. But ere giving the signal 10
| Start, the girls glance swung around
to window opposite, where stood an
austere figure, imperturbably looking
down to watch them ride off.
"Au revoir, mon PEREZ" Her voice
rose with an odd, unusual thrill. eau
reyoir!" she repeated, when a misti-
ness in her eyes suddenly blurred
sight of him, ard she frightened the
reins. Yet hestitatirg to go, her gaze
cleared, and swerYing, was abruptly
| arrested b. another and more inter-
ested spectator, who, partly concealed
by flowers and plants, peered with
anxious expectancy from her own bal
cony. As NaRette's eyes met those OF
the Governors daughter, they wavered
half guilty; suddenly became steady,
held by something's fash of impel-
ling Intelligence in the others gaze. A
moment or two, my lady continued to
regard the girl; then touching her
horse. wheeled sharnlv, and set a pace
downward not easy to follow.
At the base of the Mount they were
met by a numerous guard bright in
holiday trappings, and, under the care
of the commandant, with flourish of
horse, the party swept gaily from
sands to shore.
"a gallant company, Monsieur le
Commandant!" observed the Marquis
to the officer in charge, as they
reached the green line at the yellow
basins edge. Now if We were to
meet an enemy"
He would find US prepared, my
Lord" the officer declared.
'True!" And the nobleman COM
placently touched the ieweled hilt of
his own blade, accompanying the &C.
ton with tender glance at the Lady
Elise.
She, however, little ahead, ap.
peared not to hear; spoke suddenly 10
her horse, and, as they swung from
the sward, started at a brisk gallop
down the road. Laughing, the others
came after, lords and ladies first; be
hind, with tumult and clatter, the COM
mandant and his men. AS they adj
vanced, on either side the way thick
trunks of moss-grOwn monarchs up
lifted their gnarled and hoary branch
es, 70 meet overhead; through leafy
intersticcs bright flashes Of sunlight
shot downward, danced on fine gar
ments and accoutrements, and then
81 L., ~
finches and sparTOws sang: beyond,
murmured streams and rivulets, while
at the feet of the riders, gay restless
flowers nodded, as if in accompaui-
ment TO the glad music of the morn.
Small wonder his EXcellency should
have desired to add this fair principal,
ity 20 his own" muttered the Marquis.
looking around. "Of the seven forests
of Brittany, none will compare with
this, the Desaurac woods. What think
you, Else?" squirting his horse near
his betrothed's. Are you not taken
by its beauties?"
She looked at him with a start:
since leaving the sands she had not
spoken, and now. Juggling at the reins,
only said abruptly; Ny saddle.
believe it is loose.
LOOSE" repeated the nobleman.
Careless Iackeys! Let us see!" And
grasping the bride Of her horse, pulled
in his own, and drew both animals to
standstill at the side of the road
AS he dismounted to examine straps
and fastenings, the others dashed up!
my lady lightly motioned them on.
We'll soon overtake you! Don't
watt" Unquestioling, they obeyed;
though the commandant, to whom a
few moments later she delivered a
similar injunction, brought his men to
a halt and proffered his services.
Whereupon the Marquis repeated the
girls words more sharply; reddening,
the officer wheeled and started to ride
on.
Il can't find anything wrong herel"
Puzzled, the Marquis Strengthened.
But her eyes were directed ahead
and she pointed with her whip to a
break in the woody barrier to the right
"a path that, springing from the
roadside, seemed to plunge into the
very heart of the labyrinth.
Look the short cut!-that would
bring US half an hour before them to
the ruinsi Let us take it,"
A light seemed suddenly to break on
her companion, and he sprang airily to
his saddle. "As my Lady willis" gal
iantly.
Then call to the commandant, and
tell him we'll meet them there!"
The Marquis obeyed, and, without
awaiting answer, or demur from the
officer in charge of the guard, the girl
ficked her horse and sent him over
q low bush into the narrow way.
Fairly in the path, she rode fast,
and pressing hard behind, my lord
soon found reason for doubt as to
the adyisability of that route, and a
suspicion of regret at his own assent
to the departure from the main thor
oughfare. AS their surroundings grew
wilder and the slender green figure
fitted more and more recklessly be-
fore him. he even ventured to voice
his neutrality-suspicious. greater care.
A shake OF the fair head was all he
received for answer and, regardless