The Forrest City times., 1913-08-15
cOPrREhT s9os 6Y THE 6o66o -HERR,ll co.

No, no," said the marquis. But as I remarked before, stand on no ceremony" And daintily opening an expression half-amused. half-iron- ical.
 That person ate and drank with lit tic relish; the wine-so he said-had spoiled; and the dishes were without flavor; it was fortunate Monsieur ie Marquis had no appetite
 Whereupon the marquis smiled; but, considering the circumstances, in his own mind excused the command ant, who had only just come from the governors palace, and who, after the interview that undoubtedly had en- sued, could hardly be expected to find the pate palatable, or the wine to his liking. This, despite the complaisance of sGe young nobleman whom the commandant had encountered, while descending from the governors abode, and who, adapting his step to the oth- CTS had accompanied the officer back to his quarters. and graciously ac- cepted an invitation to enter.
 Well. you know the old saying" the marquis closed the box with snap. There's many a slip'-but how" airily brushing with his hand kerchief imaginary particles from long lace cuff, did he get away?"
 He had got away before we were down on the beach. It was wild. goose chase, at best And so l told his Excellency, the governor"
 "A thankless task, no doubt! But the shots we heard"
 An imbecile soldier saw a shadow i; fired at 1t. and"
 The others followed suit" laughed the visitor
 Exactly" The commandant's face grew red; tiercely he pulled his mus tache. What can one expect, when they make soldiers out of every dunderpate that comes along?"
 "True!" assented the marquis. But this fellow, this Black Seigneur-why l Is the governor so anxious to lay hands on him? Who is he. and what has he done? confess" languidly ito a mild curiosity" Hes a priyateersman and an out law. and has done enough to hang himself a dozen times"
 When you capture him." inter posed the visitor lightly moment he studied the massive oak beams oi the ceiling Why do they call him the Black Seigneur? An odd sobri quet!"
 His father was a Seigneur-the last of the lief of Desaurac. The Seigneurs have all been fair men fol generations, while this fellow"
 Then he has noble blood in him 2 1 The marquis showed surprise. Where is the fief?"
 Tho woods on the shore mark the beginning of it."
 "But-I don't understand. The father was Seigneur: the son"
 Bluntly the commandant explained the son was a natural child; tht mother, a common peasant woman to his house.
 T see!" The young nobiemar tapped his knee. And that being th, case--"
 Under the terms of the ancien ! grant, there being no legal heir, tn, lands were contiscated to the crown | His Excellency. however. had alread, bought many of the incum mbrance. against this property. and, in view 0 thi-, and his services to the king, tn, lief, declared forfeited by the courts was subsequently, granted and deeded i without condition, to the governor"
 TO the governor" repeated tn, marquis.
 Who at once began a rare clearing out: forcing the peasants who 10 years had not been paying metayage to meet this just requirement.. or move away!"
 And did some of them object?"
 They did; but his Excellency fount means. The most troublesome wer, arrested and taken to the Mount where they have had time to reflect hls Excellency believes in no haltwa. measures with peasants"
 "A rich principality. no doubt! half to himself spoke the marquis.
 "I have heard" blurted the com mandant. he's going to give 1t to tn, Lady Elise: restore the old castle ant turn the grounds surrounding 1t int a noble park"
 The visitor frowned. as If little fix ing the introduction ot the iady'i rame into the conversation "Ant what did the Black Seigneur do then. he asked coldly when he found hi lands gone?"
 Claimed it was plot!-that hi mother was an honest woman. thougl neither the priest who performed tn, ceremony nor the marriage records ] could be found He even resisted a first-refused to be turned out-and skulking about the forest with hi 1 gun, kept the deputies at bay Bu they surrounded hlm at last: drov, him to his castle. and would have cap tlred him, only he escaped that night