Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-05-07
By ny UAkTERS
. 81 M Bo6h3 -IiERsILl CO.
STROllER0, UhDfR TIL ROO[ I


feel honored IL"
Thank you. no. After our repast
on the beaeh-however, stand on no
ceremony yourself. Nay, insist"
III Monsieur lie Marquis insists"
The commandant drew up his chair;
then. reaching for a bottle, poured out
a glass OF wine. which he offered bis
guest
No. no." said the marquis. But
as remarked before. stand on no
ceremony" And daintily opening a
snuff-box, he watched his host with
an expression half-amused. half-iron-
icaI.
tic relish; the wine-so he said--had
spoiled; and the dishes were without
flavor; It was fortunate Monsieur lie
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 the young nohieman whom the
commandant had encountered, while
descending rom the governors abode.
and who, adapting his step TO the 9th
er's 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 maDy a slip'-but
how" airily brushing with his hand.
kerchief imaginary particles from a
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 told
his Excellency. the governor"
"A thaukless task, no doubt! But
the shots we heard"
An lmbecile soldier saw a shadow;
fired at It, and"
The others followed suit" laughed
the visitor.
Exactly" The commandments face
grew red; flercely he pulled his mus
tachel 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
Is the governor 80 anxious to lay
hands on him? Who is he. and what
has he done? confess" languidly.
ito a mild curiosity"
He's a privateersman and an out
law, and has done enough to hang
himself dozen times"
When you capture him," inter
posed the visitor lightly A moment
he studied the massive oak beams OF
the ceiling why do they call him
the Black Seigneur? An odd sobri.
quetl"
His father was a Seigneur-the
last OF the fief of Desaurac. The
Seigneurs have all been fair men for
generations, while this fellow"
Then he has noble blood In him?"
The marquis showed surprise. where
Is the tef?"
The woods on the shore mark the
beginning of IT."
But don't understand The father
was a seIgneur; the SON"
Bluntly the commandant explained;
the son was natural child: the
mother, common peasant woman
whom the former Seigueur had taken
to his house
Il see!" The young nobleman
tapped his knee. And that being the
case"
Under the terms of the ancient
grant. there being no legal heir. the
lands were confiscated to tho crown
His Excellency, however. had already
bought many OF the membranes
against this property. and. In view OF
this. and his services TO the king. the
lief. declared forfeited by the courts
was subsequently granted and decided.
without condition. 10 the governor"
70 the governor" repeated the
marquis
Who at once began rare clearing
out: forcing the peasants who for
years had not been paying metayage.
to meet this just requirement. or
move away"
And did some OF them obiect?"
They did; but his Excellency found
meaus The most troublesome were
arrested aud taken to the Mount,
where they have had time to reflect
his Excellency believes in no halfway
measures with peasants"
"A rich principally. no doubtl"
| half to himself spoke the marquis.
II have heard blurted the com
/ mandant. he's going to give It 10 the
Lady Elise; restore ne old castle and
turn the grounds surrounding It into
a noble park"
The visitor frowned. as II little lik-
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