The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-07
A Woman
.EIighwaynan
By ESTHER VANDEVEER


sells lace My father, the Duke of
Montmarvile. was a favorite Of King
Louis XVI, who showered him with
favors. Ten years later my father had
gone down in the reign of terror and
was an exile.
But l had in me the blood of war
riors. The great Turenne was an an
cestor of mine. Natu. lly when | found
that | could not make a livil, ~ a
woman | turned to the career ~ "A
man / would have tough - r ..;nce.
but my ancestors mad served ,hcIr cpun-
try under the royal st9n'larG iaa....;
the fieur-de-lls. If | duuned mau's at
tire | must fight under the triculur for
the uSurper Bonapartc. who was en-
peror by virtue Of the blood of the King.
No, | would not 20 into the army
But | resolved to return Ia France.
How | made my way there ! can moss
hardly recall. | had become 50 used
to hardship that the Days | Travelled
on foot, the nights slept in woods, my
breakfasts of berries, my dinners
ly farmers wife, made no lasting I'M
preston on me.
1 remember well that one day / found
myself in boys clothing at the gates
Of the chateau in which | was born. /
asked man passing who lived there.
He said that an army contractor had
bought the place from the government,
which had confiscated 1t after cutting
off the head Of its owner, the Duke Of
Montmarville. Most women would have
burst into tears. Instead. | was en-
ragged.
This is world Of robbery" said.
land | will rob like the rest"
| stole a pistol. but | could find no
ammunition to steal and had no money
to buy any. But | soon had money
a-plenty, for lay In walt for the con-
tractor who occupied my birthplace,
and when he was being driven into
the gate by his fat coachman | stop
ped the coach. ordered the driver to
dismount from the box and, opening
the door, presented my unloaded pis-
toi at the occupant and demanded his
money. He happened to have a well
filed purse which he tremblingly
handed me.
I found money made by robbing so
easy and so lucrative that | bought a
horse and equipment for the road.
did not think to wear a mask. | had
no cause to hide my visage. | was
the daughter OF duke, but not soul
In France knew me as such or knew
me at all for that matter | robbed
only at night, and no one could see
my features in the darkness. One
night | stopped coach, and after re-
ceiving the contribution of man in
It and was about to turn away he
said:
"Madamoisclle. shall know that
voice If | ever hear 1t again. You are
not n man. hut woman"
~ care not II you do" l replied.
NOR II you should see my features or
know who am. for mine Is a wrecked
life | would it had been ended, as
was lllN idllipl >, vi TUG Nuiiip'i'it'
"Who was your father" he asked.
But | could not bring myself 70 let
him know of the disgrace | had
brought upon my family, and, putting
spurs to my horse. rode away.
A love for a life of adventure grew
upon me. and caught the spirit OF a
Claude Duval
Hearing that ball was to be given
by person whom Bonaparte had en-
riched as King Louis had enriched my
father, desire seized me TO attend II
dressed In the apparel Of my sex
Downing an ordinary woman's cloth
I Ing, went to Paris and bought COS
tune fit for the rank to which | wa,
entitled. On the night of the ball
hired coach and a maid and whel
the entertainment was In full swim.
drove up to the door alighted. wen
to robing room and then down int,
the drawing room TO the host ant
hostess. who were receiving thei
guests
Madame looked at me I'm wonder
having never seen me before and un
certain whether | had been hidden %
had come without an invitation He
husband. who did not know all tn,
guests. looked at me 'curiously. Thei
son. man nearing thirty years o
age. gazed at me with admiration a
well as surprise.
Pardon me-" said his mother. i"
do not recall your features"
II am the Duchess of Mont W hat-you
like" | replied
All looked at me In establishment
but l saw the younger nan start. HI
recovered his equanimity at once and
Offering me his arm. led me away. A
soon as we were out Of hearing h
turned to me and said:
Il told you that | would know You
voice should | ever hear II again. an,
to convince you that | was right ,ol
are the highway woman WHO robbie,
me of 10 napoleons few months ago
I | tried to disengase my arm from In
that | might take 10 flight. hut be W.
stronger than | and held me.
Fear nothing" he said Il will kee