Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-30

self how best to A,c,unt for the absence
of Jeannotte, wh.n | saw Blaisc coming
from the woods, bearing the maid IN his
arms To prevent her from returning
TO the inn. DE Berquin had caused
Barbemouche to bind her to n tree.
When her captors had departed to make
a second attempt against madcmoiselle,
the maid had set up n moaning, and tins
had guided Blaiso to her side
Ii was now impossible TO conceal any
of the nights events from madtmoiselle.
but she, far from blaming our lack OF
vigilance, feigned 20 think herself M
debted to us for n second rescue from
the attentions of her prosecutor. during
the rest of that night her slumbers were
more faithfully guarded, although they
were not threatened agaia. !
The next morning we resumed our
way southwark. The weather was clear
and fine, yet Mile. de Narion seemed
more heavy at heart than she had been
on the preceding day. This could not
be attributed TO any apprehension. OF
further annoyance from DE Berquiu, for,
as her talk showed. she believed that he
would not again trouble her after his
having cut so poor figure with his
attempt at an intended rescue. But
though | did not tell her, | had good
reason to believe that we we're not yet
done with him. The failure of his at
tempt with regard TO mademoiselle,
whether or not that attempt had been
dictated by Montignac, would not make
him abandon the more important mis-
sion concerning the Sieur de In Tour
noire. Therefore, | was likely to en-
counter him again, and probably nearer
Maury, and, as II was my intention that
mademoiselle should remain under my
protection until after my venture IN
behalf of her father, IL was probable
that she, too, w~uld see more of her
erstwhile pursuer. lwould allow events
TO dictate precautions against the dis
covery of my hiding-place by De Ber-
uuin, against his interference with my
intended attempt to deliver Nj. de
Narion, and against his molesting Mile.
dc Narion during my absence from her
on that attempt | might have killed
De Beruuin when dlsarmed him on the
previous night, but ! did not wish to
make him, in the least, an object of
madenioisele' pity, and, moreover, |
was curious TO see what means he would
adopt towards hunting me down and
betraying me.
Not only the detection Of Mile.
de Narion made our ride melancholy
one. despite the radiance of the autumn
morning. Blaise, repentant of his over
indulgence, and still feeling the hu-
initiation Of the easy capture made of
him by four scurvy knaves, had taken
refuge in one of those moods of pious
reflection which he attributed to ma
ternal influence Piqued at this ret
icence, the maid, Jeannotte, maintained
n sulky silence. The two boys, devoted
TO their mistress, now faithfully reflected
her sad and uneasy demeanor,
Look, mademoisellel' said !, glad OF
having found objects toward which to
draw her attention, ''yonder is the
Chateau of Clochonne Beyond that,
and to the right, are the mountains for
which we are bound. 1t is there that
shall introduce to you the Sieur dc la
Tournoire
Mademoiselle looked at the distant
towers and the mountains beyond with
an exnression of dread She gave a
heavy sigh and shuddered in her saddle
"Nav, mademoiselle," ] said; you
have nothing to fear there
She turned pale, and answered, in
trembling voice:
"Alas, monsieur! Am not about TO
put those mountains between myself
and my father?"
To be Continued.