The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-07-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Mountebank and Ny Lady.

The Mountebank and Ny Lady.
1.-THE Governors daughter!" Had
the light been stronger they must
have seen the start the mountebank
gave. "impossible!"
Ell? What?" Surprised In turn.
the officer gazed at him. "You dare
out with HIM" To the soldiers.
But in a moment had the mounte-
bank recovered his old demeanor, and.
without waiting for the troopers to
obey the commandments order, walked
voluntarily toward the door and into
the passage.
"Our supper! Our support" A num-.
Der of the prisoners, crowding Hor.
ward. began once more to call mst,,v
when again was the dNk.studded
woodwork swung uncers1 oniouslv TO
cutting short the sOynd of their lam.
sn aposai" Maley%.n,,v N. dwarf
gazed back. "T9want to gorge them.
selves nn,s Oh SIy day"
on, ous eques!" murmured the
commanoaH But l always said you
maq Whs1 del landlord, landlord" .,,.,,. u.u,,
khe other.
"At any rate he doesn't seem to ap-
preciate his good fortune" with a
glance at the mountebank.
NO." jeering "A gallant cavalier
to step blithely at a great lady's COM
mand! your Ladyship overwhelms
met" bowling grotesquely. "'Your
Ladyship's condesceusion'-"
why, then, need you take me?" In
terposed the mountebank quickly.
Can you not tell her ladyship l 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 Quit"
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 to fall, caressed
with silvery rays the granite piles.
In contrast to the noisome atmosphere
of the prison, faint perfumes, borne
from some flowery slope OF the dis
tant shore, swept dangerously in and
out the open aisles and passages of
the Mount. In such an hour that up
per region seemed to belong entirely
to the sky; to partake of its wondrous
stiffness; to share its mysteries and
it's secrets Like intruders, penetrat-
ing an enchanted spot, now they trod
soft shadows; then. dangerous, beat
beneath foot delicate laceworks of
light
Here we are!" The officer stopped.
At the same time upon a nearby bal
cony a nightingale began to sing, ten.
tatively, as II trying the scope and
quality of it's voice. you are to go
in!" he announced abruptly.
such fine palace! IL would
rather not!" muttered the fellow. as
they crossed an outer threshold and
proceeded to mount some polished
stairs.
stubborn dolt. Now In you march"
pausng before door But, bark
you! | and my men remain withouh
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 mounts-
banks demeanor underwent q quick
change; he glanced hastily toward the
door the commandant had closed In
leaving, and then. with sudden bright
ening gaze, around him, as II 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 its furnishings at variance with
ks architectural elegance; on every
and soft colors met the eye. In rugs
ancient pattern; in tapestries. SUBJ
led; in the upholstering OF Breton
X. A eliminating note was In the
inter- of the room. where q great
pch of roses opened wide their
ais.
lat briefly however. the clown per