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?00C0O0000OO0OO00OO 00OOOO t~ o The QUEEN'S Id ROSES * *1. 3y S. Levett Yeata v ?y k Copyright, 1901, by S. Levett Yeats y 000000000000000000000 11 CIIAPTER M. THE WOli) OF A PRINCE. The apartmeits assigned to me in virtue of my oflice lay in the wing of a the Louvre looking toward the old 0 chapels of St. TJ'hoias, St. Nicalse and the Quliize Vitigts. A balcony jutted 1 olit from my wilow, and sitting there I One could see below the strange mass ol' gray ntini brown buildings that cluig like wasps' nests to the walls of the palace, to be matched only in soualor iby the high and tottering ltuses, crowhing and jostling each other oil the oploposite side of the nar row sh reet. Hlere projecting gallery t aid overhaiig turret formed an ar cvile, ieatoith wIIhlch the grass thrust its slender sworl blaides between the trean 1 ad sliplpery stoles of the pave nient, :ind it was cool and dark as a ceilar, even oil the hottest days in stlO lliletr. It was to this rel'ugo I had escaped frotn the stilling throig of the court. \\-hei I.er.:e had stepped forward to I aectiet the emissador's wager, I felt I as if a 14ad1 was removed from my I lo-:rt. H1e ioiked so calm and con- I liel-i:t that I was sure he had perform- I ed his task Am. the prince had quit- 1 1, 1 'ais l : 1d that Chantonnay's I sehene weoul iniseairry. Yet, never- I ti-i'ss, I olon:.: to bie alone, and, tak II- lay ejoleeortuity, which caine easily eoeh, I hin sliplped away to my bal- I ce)1y. lireo 1en o'aJy the cool evening b ir-7,e Vq011'11ii lit 1 ifls across the Seine I Sliere t4e thiink al1d to arguie myself 1 0t1 eelf my 1'tolly or imidiess, call it what you1 wIll.I I'".ineneii s:tt on tlie llustrade and he .. e a nie. The creature had an in- i telli2 Ii- niin't. huian. lie under loI voice :0 olI gisture perfectly, and 1 h1:1i iight hila to do thIngs that were I 1y o-ible. There as lie sat, rvely sur vyiig me w Ith un winking he0:14k e ve's, it sueteild to me that ho wVn : ing lily itIost thoughts and was showin: a silent. syinpatily for til b1y ill in still as a stIone, indulging nid ii-r lin gan1ob1l nor antie, n1or even teouchilig til' lit he iceaip of lilts that Ilay on a icimt er lee-jolt blini. So 411:1hally gra:lve was the little beast f 1n:1 he ii la-tod ILI' inl spite of. my solf, anii. ri-ing, I appoachid lim, say elt, ljili' olracete! Can you nlow shIw ]li it iy uti of inl. troubles?" Fn'er :illh\VT li Vr't.l closer to me, 1iie we'! t woleokldw inito the yard hl-eat . w\ -r :tIv I lilltt l oorway itd ,Wito the l le St. T|1 11111-1s de LOuivre. Thle edeeerwy :i the yard were used :as :1 j:s:lge lIit 111 fron the street bys' the oe est':Illts Of thIie p lace, and it was eelinaily opien until close upon 10 lit ni'ht in sunune110r. Aln archer~i was on guarid Itir', and1t his tall figure caught lily t'ye as hie paced backward andl~ for ward't at is post. I stood for a minute or' sto waitching himi, wh'len I heard a stepl biehoind me and my name called (lit. I turnied and14 saw Lorgnac. "I knocked twi'ce," he said, "but you (11d 1not anslwerI, so I camne in, as I guessed you would be cloud gathering hieret." "There is some wino in the flask there," I answered, pointing to a little table where a flaigon of D'Arbois stood, but he shook his head and took a place 'beside meW, runniing his hand gently over' Pompijon's fur. "*W'ell," I said, "has Chiantonnay paid youli?" "Not yet," lie laughed, "but he will .onhght." "So the prince has gone?" "Yes. I found hoim in the houso and told him how things were. All that iwas needed was a horse, and I gave him mninet." "'ou wvill be hard put to for your eqipmenll'lt if' thiere 11s war, and I fane, the ltetce was broken today." "Oh, M. (de Chantonnay's pistoles will priovideC that!" "1leiln! IHut you are quick in coming baick after seeling the prince off'!" "I dhid 1not see him off. Tie quiet, lit tle beast i" And he put Pompon on one side. "Not see himii off?" "No. I was on duty and could not. ie gave me his word that he would start ini an0 hour1, andi~ by this there shoul lie a eouple of leagues between him andl Paris." "Who is to laursuo? And they will be fleet hoooofs thait will overtake Car touc(hle." ''1uii if ho' is lnot gone('?"' "'I iiniossile! Ilie knoows the risk.'' "''iThen," I slld, ''11tinilg remaulus, old] f'rlial, bout thle warls fori you and may hl(earls fori lmle. I shoul hike to see1' ie mi~ol o answe1111r, and14 we both leane too oge'ther ov.er* the hlullstrade l am110 lookiled udown' inlto thoe yalrd1. It washi dus1k now1, and1( the archller appearedh e --to ispnad w1oen O(1 servait' eicao 11 throgand our sentinel ilevled a~ kiss from each re no let them nutter'jlast 1 t te palace, leaving him gazing wist- E Lilly after them. "Nom d'un gaillard I" said Lorguac, t but the duty there is not so dull." "Hushl' I answered. "Here comes o nother." [ In effect as I spoke another figure, I rrapped in a 14f.t cloak, ran down the C alace steps awl tripped across the 1 nrd. We could not of course see prop. 1 rly, but there was a grace about her v ioveuenlts that struck us both. h "She Is pretty, I wager," I said. a "Lucky arcelie!" exclaimed Lorgnac, I Aid at the moment our sentinel ad- t anced for his toll, but the newcomer t brank back from hin and kept him t ff. "Ah, ma petite," said the archer, "I I ave not seei you beforel Where D nye you dpIp0)l)ed froim? Onie kiss, nd Perdects de 'onthlieu will die for I oil." t Ile made a motion of his arim toward ( (r; but, recovering herself, she slipped imibly aside, saying, with a laugh: "liavard, I may ask you to die for S le som1e (1day without hope of reward." ld ini mioment she had flashed hrough the op1en gate all was gone. I tut I knew-the voice was enough for t ie--and, looking at Lorgnac, I saw his yes blazing, and even through the usk I could see the Ivory pallor on his ace. "My God!" I exclaimed. "Are we But Lorgnac caught me by the arm. Fool! There is no time to waste. flyC lenven, prince of the blood though le ie, if lie 1ha1s lied to me he dies!" Sny ng this, lie faIrly d ragged me from the malcony. I staid him for a moment o snitch III) mily rnpler ind fling aside ny wNoodel Sword, and then we two mrii'rie'd down the winding Stalir, past lie servants' quarters al out into the aIrd. Thle archer- saluted uts ats we enme 11). "WhIch way did-did mademoiselle 'o?" asked t.orgiae, his voice strange Lld husky. "I know not. Ionsieur-she vanished ike a spirit." "Try your house," I suggested, pluck nlg im by11h the sleeve. "Lose no time lere." An(] as I uttered these, words I :nw I'omupon beside le and drove himl mek with ia cuirse. But for once the tie disobeyed, and thero was 110 h1elp 'or it; I had to let him follow as best I 2ould. We dashed up the narrow Rue St. rhomas - fortunately there were not nany people about-and just where the Atreet opened out Into the Rue St. Ho. iore we caught a glimpse of the grace .nil figure hesitating at a crossing. Shei md lifted her' dress slightly, and biough to complete her disguise she awms wearing the flat soled Spanish nuh-s not all their hideousness could !oeeal the perfect arch of her foot. 'or a moment she hesitated, as I have mil, giving us time to gain well upon tier, and then, drawing her hood closer together, she ran across the road and tieaded toward the labyrinth of streets iround the Halles. "Put not your trust in princes." I iaid bitterly, but Lorgnac made no an iwer, maintaining a grim silence. We kept on tile pavemlent opp~osite to her, never losing sight of her for an Instant, although the streets were crowded here, and the uncertain lighlt made our task far from easy, but wve had too mucil at stake to fail. When sihe reached the p)arvls of St. Eustache, silo crossed it slowly toward tile p)ortal of the still unfinished church, though the first stone had been laid at the time when I was born. As sh~e ap proachled the archway a man stepped forward from the shladow, and they met with outstretched hands. So they Btood for a moment, talking earnestly together, and we hlalted, too, and watched them with beatinlg hearts. "It is lhe," I whispered. "He hlas broken his word." But still Lorgnac did( nIot speak, though I could hear Is labored bren th. And as we watched a man11 came over tile flagged square, walkinlg Idly and1( carelessly towaird thleml, hxuminxuug as lie did( so the sonlg calledl the "Three Cavaliers." "D 'Araimon!"' exclaimed Lorgnne. "It is all over* now~ unless we canx shut htis mouth." On his words, however, the t Ivo moved off armi inl arml swiftly together and( wvere lost ini the un~leensing crowdl thaft was pouring from the Hailles. I was for rusing aifter theml ait onco, but Lorgnae hxeld mc biy the arml. ''Stay!I" he sa id. "'You must deal with D)'Aramlonl. Stop him11 at all haz rirds., I look aifter the others. Meet m11 at my house." And with these words 110 left 1m1 ab~ruptly, crossing the pavenment ratpily3 and~ mixing with the wrowd. I waited not a moment mlyself. I lid not even answer Lorgnne, but pressed forward (on tile trnek of the 11)y and( Overtook D)'Aramlon in the lRue Siontor'guell. Ie was walkin~g slow y, lookin~g carefully about hximi, as if ic had missed his prey, anld was hlend ng toward the lq~uietonne-thte next uring to the right wvould bring 1111m :o the Tire lBoudin. But, as I snid(, lie )esitatedl and(, ttandling oil tiptoes, Cept trying to look over the heads of he crowdl. I w'alked past him rapidly, brushing Rignintst him as 1 (11( so, and( tulrned with an apology that biroke into an ox slamnation of surIprisedl recognlitionl. "Y'our 1)ard(on, monlsieuiri H einl! (anl [ believe my eyes? Is it you, D)'Ara non?2" "Yes--yes," he staimmeredi uneasily. 'I have bunsinless, M. le Brusquet. An >ther (lay." And he0 wouIild have has ened oin, lbut I stood in h1is path, say' nig insolently: "At the Cabarets? Well, so hlavo I. Jome~ an~d drik aind tell me how the iir of Paris has become healthy for Hie grew redl at liy words; but, to (10 uim Justice, lhe kept hisa templer, though to said colly enough: "Monsieur, I have said I have busi tess!" Bunt I laughed and cut in upon his pet'ch, . "And so have I. Everybody's busi Less Is a Jester's business. Come anid rink I" Hie thloughlt I was in miiy cups and i1 till preserved his coolness. "Not no0W. Au revoir, au revoiri" I 'nd h1e pressed on. But I stucek like a I y to him, buzzing in his ear. "'Te11 me," I sna lo-assyu -.. . o bo on ~your feet again. ~DoedWth panIsh enbassador pay well?" He stopped short, with a curse, an tirned on me, shaking with anger. "Begone, fooll" he shouted, his han n the hilt of his ponlard. But I silli ed back nimbly. my drawn rapki ointed at him, and in a moient rowd had gathered around us. II ras no coward and would certainly In ave shrunk from an affair, but now ias absolutely necessary for hin I ave his hands free. He glance round hilm and then imado a milstak< le attenipted to dash across the ron D the other side and'escape me. U he instant I had raised the cry "Sto lief I" and the crowd was on tils heel You all know the good people of P 3 and how hard it would go with ian behind whom the cry "Stop thief vas raised. It fared so with D'Arj 1on. The spy liad barely got acroe lie Tliquetonie when lie was surroum d by a shrIeking. howling 1oh), and nob, too, of the artisans and worke f the Ilalles. iHe drew ils sword Jii wept it round him, but they only gan vay to forii in closer behind hhi nd now stones and other missiles b '1n1 to fly aind the( rattles of thle watt o be heard. I Cught ote gliipse < YAranion. Ile had backed ip again: he wall n14,nr1. a stiet i11inmp. 111- chv( v[s cut and bleeding. aid his dre: orn an1,i soiled. lie wais trying 1 hout explaintions, but he imight i veil have Shouted to awaken the den "Stop thief! Stop thie!" was sirbia A and howled aroundl him, and thet one one brouglht him down with )low froni a staff, amid he fell beneal t struggling henp of mnen . I had io pity for the villain. lie wi me of the worst of hIs class anid d ierved death it the lamppost. On ti Vlole, he got otT easily enough, thiou 1o was marked for life, and it w1 nany a long day ere the "captain' Itibs lost their soreness. Ile wns disposed of, at any rate. caving him to the tender mercles he erowd and of the watch, who hi iuiri-led upt), I went rapidly on townl he liue 'Tire Bloudin, where Lorgmn louse stood. It was but it short W: !rom the Tlquetonine, and on reachli the entrance to the street I halted for notment, as if to examIne the dlsph U the wiidow of a pastry cook's shi: ilthough m1y eyes were fixed fliywhe Jut on his tartlets and cakes. T1 1n0o1 was out now, full and clear, a: Its light fell like a broad silver ribb< between the two rows of dark and 1 lent houses that raised their gray ni mottled walls on either side of t street. There were but few passel by, but it seemed to mae that there w !in unwonted crowd near the door the house wvhere Lorgnac lived, whil I could mnaie out vaguely, for it f ribout a third of the way down t street. I took i1 stelp Into the road and sto ped ' - to get a better view, when rteli .. hinig plucking at my clon lookled down. it was Pompon, who very exIstence I hadt(] forgotten, and I gat at my feet, gazing wistfully up my face, with eyes that told me I was weared. "Con, Poimpon." I said, and in a n ment lie was on my shoulder, where I mat tight as a feather. I gave anoth look down the road an(l at the gro near Lorgnne's house, and I was ci tamu I caught the gleanm of a ('ulra: This auiguredl ill, but it was no timie drawv back, and1(, inging a (lheery' eatt I stepped( forward amid, coing bold up tp the door (If the house, found1( ni self stopped by Crequy of theo arci guard. "D~nbie!" I exclim ted.''"I have 'oi to see my goIssijp, L~oignac. 'What de( all this nmin?" "'I kiiow no0 more than you, Le Iliri (uiet. If you wanit to see Lorginae, y will finid himi oin the oppiosite side' the road with two of my men. Inut 1s as5 sulky as5 a hear1." "What! Havi~e y'ou arres'i'ted him?7" "Yes." "Then what are you doing her'e?" "Obeying ordlers, 1113 lord of fol and if you will take my13 ad1vice y'ou wV go hoime, for"-amni lie droppled I v'oic--"thie kinig and1( the Cardiah w ho here in a few iiilinutes. We ha caged sonie biirdls withIn.'' "Alh, wvell, that Ia their affair.I dIrol) a consoling jest in Lorgnac's e and be off. Au revoir." "Au revolr." In a few steps I was across the ro: and1( beside Lorgnnec. ie wasll stanldi looking the picturIe of (dejection, t tween two stalwa rt archers. "Oh, ho, mon ami!"' I e'xcilimed as embraced himt. '"So y'ou have enigagi pilots foir the chinttelet." The archers laughed at this referen to them, but Lorgnnec seizedl hIs chian and( whispered qilckly' in 11y3 enr "The horse is in thle stable 1beh11 lBnrou's shop. There is a chanee I the window." And lhe s1lped1 a k into my13 hand. "Never fear," I aniswered1 10oud1 "You shall be free tonight. I shall s mly gossip Ilen, andl we shall fini that D)'Arbois of nine blefore tomc row morning. Adieu, then, until v meet againi!" And, wvavinig 1113 hianid to Crequy', turnIed1 hack and1( walked1 off att a rap Ince, Pomipon once more followving 113 heels, CITAPTERt IV. Hiow POMIPON SAVED A QUEEN. There are times when thiougiht nat uction have to move together'1 Il, Ighitninig, w~hien, if there is bu11t licker of halt or hesitation, the re'su a (disaister, and ifC ever suclh a moinoem nd coimo to me it had arrivedl now. I thaink God that, notwvithistanmd in lie tumiult In liy heart, I kept 11y lien lenr and my13 ner've stendy in, (t ~rlis before mie. It is true I heIld ~rent card(. No one susp~ected1 mle, Cy ~ept, plerhiaps, D'Aramon, anid hie wu ilietedl. Not the most suspieious 03 VOld~ turni 01n Lo Blrusquet, the king ester, as being in ally way Involve n a court intrigue, and1( I was sat rom hindrance on that score. 1Eve 3requiy, aund lie was 110 fool, had Ii lie pass5 with a ,Jest. I could niot help chuckling a little t iiyseif at this, as, picking Pomnli ni crossedi the~ r'oad to the oppiosite shhi vherei' the shadl~owsV lay d1ark on tIh allvemen.'t. One look bhindii~ mie- th rchmers wvere stIll lat Lorgnac's dooir nid then I put my3self to the rum'. ewv stepls brought mel to a narrow 111d treet that went off at an nnlo f..o, the road, heading back to the cross- eI roads where Barou's slop lay, close to bi Lorguac's house. Immediately behind W the shop was Cartoucle'e stable, and at from the stable there was at chance, a ti r bare chance, to free lny birds. I knew athe way perfectly, for I had used it as ci a short cut a hundred times on Iny visits to Lorgln when he lay ill iII tI it the spring of a tertian ague. It was t( 0 necessary to be careful, however, how d one stepped iI this nameless alley, for b the seine of ages covered the cobble- t( stones beneath the feet, and there was no footpath. Indeed, so narrow was o the passage that by stretching onle's arms out It was possible to touch the t houses on either hand. '3 I made all the haste ! eould and at i last reached Barou's si... Barou him- 8 . self was closing for the night as I cane f s up, and I caught a glimpso of his lean . figure, hesitating at the door in the I a hope perhaps that I might prove a cus .a tonmer. I passed quickly on, taking no '] ( notice of hiu. Ie peered after me for .Q a moment, and then his door shut with a a bang, and the old nan went in like a B L. spider disappointed of his ily. I h Two steps iore, and I was at the I stable. If Lorgnac's ready wit had not t thought of the key, all would have been I k lost; but, as it was, the key was In my ] hand. In another moment I had open ed the door and stepped lin, shutting it carefully behind tme. A lantern, swing ing to a chain attached to a crosshean, was burning brightly in the stable, ant in the stall before tile was a magnll a cent gray horse with a lofty crest and ! -rIghit, full eyes that looked dow" upon ie like two stars. It was Cartoucho, s 1and he was already saddled, though the . glrths hung loosely arontd him. l1e l knew ine, for we were, old frIends, an11(1, h11 tossing his head up and down, began to strIke at the flooring with his fore foot Said whlinny. I atted his sleek neck and looked around. Near lie was somni 'o stable gear. To the right there was a loft and above that a 1111111 window, kt which wais open. for the niight Was warm. A ladder led to the loft, and up this I cliihed, Pompon at my heels, fand. passing through the window, found myself on the roof of Barou's a store. On either hand the gables, with their lly shaped fnilis, hlid mo froim view, and I was, in short, on the back r) bone of the'roof. About 20 feet from me rose the back of Lorgnac's house, 1( high and narrow. Froni a window in )i the second story there wias a bright )I- light, and I caught a glimpse of a id shadow on the wall. I crept up be e neath the wIndow and looked. It was .- impossible to reach it, and I dare not raise my voice. Every moment was of precious, and with a groan I glanced Al about for someni means of ascent, and as I did so Polpoi began to clamlbr up 1 the grooved brick waterway, which ter minated on a narrow ledge of orna mental stonework running round the P house. Above this ledge, however, a gargoyle in the shape of a griflin's head k leered down at me. Se A sidden thought struck ine,. and I to seized the ape vre lie could go farther. lit Back I raii, with the i(uick, stealthy footsteps of a cat, and d11oppel dlown ,into tie stabIle one inore. I Iasi 113 anld 0- wi th shaking hanis, I exanineld the Ie stale gear, thirowinig one t hi ig a fteri er ano~thier aside, auml at last I found wht SI sought--a slutr'e hllter'. Ohl~, those5 1-seconids wh len I furibd t t1(11here ini tihe is. stable! T1hey were as hourms. I snaitch' toed up the halteor withi an exelanuit ion iof J0oy and in less time than I take to 1'tell this wasi onice more1 beneath t he Swidow. Ihere it was l'oimpon's turn, CFand I thlanked 111y stars again and again for the inionithis I had spent in 0teaching the ape to do ahuost anmythinzg es I wished. I kntotte on (le end1( of the hld teir into a nloose and, givring it to Poin 2s- pon plaeed lin whiere lie had elimbed )u to at first and, with a little wave of' hie Withlout a miomiet's bestitat ion lhe climbed to tihe ledge. I wa tchied the smnall black fIgure lookin1 g (down onl ie with little, twinkling eyes, the halte r, held by3 thle noose, ini his hands1. I y' inade-a nliot Ion of 11iy haind toward thell ilgar'goy'h#, but the nye' only3 jihihered(,i 15and the cold sweatt burst ov'er' 11n, for' I i w uas sure I lhear I'lul the (distance0 the eC sounid (if 11121ny hiorses~ trin1lg. Tioo late! Aftter all tis! It conl not b111le! '1Againi a111d aga-in I tried to innke the iape undlerstanid, but lie (ither' coulhl riot or wiould not. lin despa ir I at last se'IZed thme 'nd( (if the hailtei' near rua id and looped it round~~ iy3 owni nec'k. And14 g, imagIne 2113 utiter' disgust--'oponihS did( 0 the same14 and hohh1 ed 1up and1( down'i 0n hIs hind1( legs! One miiight havue latughied I if the issue( ait stake wasi not1 so ser2iouis. 'd I took the loop1 off' 2iny nec'k. I'omplon ' agn iii foilhowed my3 cxampi tle', n1ial thenI e it may13 have been G od's meev-hie suid ee denly' untderistood and slIppned 41 ovri thle garmgoy3le. 1( "Th'lank God!"' And I had tiIghtenied 'y the 1noose ini 21 Jiomen't, gi vinig the( ape by 1n0 thnie to1 (change is im 21 i an21r' l ren 'e it. Ini those day13s I was ltithe nitl aigie 3' as at cat, andif lhand( 4 ver' hanid I swarm e 0(1 up th1e 10114, at last gainuinig the1 lir~ ii ow foothl 1 of( (t tih' ledge. 'The win r- dew wras ait least six feet from nI and1' 11t4 (0 I lul to ('ross thIs siin'' t're 1 n'a, 4 to it. lobinmg (In tol thei billwor'k, I slip td 114( t he nio~sl fi'om tihe gillin's 1hen.~1 f 1223 inil'us way to' the wun'~'hilow. tihe a as5 mtlehI siupport ais 1 ('(ub14 fromli liin, I cr'22(ks he(t s':.a .'. 1. biekl(is, wh're 111 e a hnd11 done11. 24y blood1 rani ('41l t till very hbut tholse' ':hom22 I was2 str'iing 1t1 savie. V g Andl y'e'. I hoseC who'(se horsesl' I lMi 0 (1 h1eard' -l heardl 2 heml aigalau 11ow1 ('(l' I (11and distjiet. I wais not1 a momen2'It tloo .looked in ial till indmow. It was a h~Ii'ge P4ooln2. 11141alih', my13 qjlui.n wlfl enI bacitk. show Iing thle 11211. ean p ult c full oft t(nts. ('onde stoo by14 1 her, speaking ('arnellstly3, pl1end1 ig as if for t is life, allal it' ever' there wans love in C a man's face it shaono on his. Oh, It was a iinad thinig to tIo, but she was a e child, not1 18, and ho but fivo and twen ty, So earnestly were they talgnlg that they dh1i not henr me,. though I stood(1 ho(ihlly ait the windolw, and~ it was only" When 1 ' hiad Sprung lightly Into the room that they became aware of ray presence. ; Mary rose to her feet with a b y, riidb or I'nids went'up tWher race, it Condo sprang at me without a ord. I seized lils wrists like a vise id said in a voice cracked with emo "You are betrayedl There is only one ince-come with me!" Tle fool struggled still, and, prince of io blood though he was, I cursed him his face. "Will you lose all? Hark!" And the lure of a trumpet from the street came us with diseordant echoes. lie understood now, but hils presence t ind had left hilm. "My God!" lie cried. "What can I do ) save you?" And lie turned to Mary. 'o give Ilm his due, he thought but of er, and lie rushed to her side, whero lie stood staring at us, with a white ace and large, frightened eyes. The door of tihe rooim was open. As ran to it I heard a battering below. 11"'is the king!" I cried. "Quick! 7o the window!" Ills senses were coming back to hin, id lie half dragged and half carried lary to the window. I closed and ucked the heavy oaken door and, ttirn ng, saw Conde handling the rope I had hrown on the floor at mny entrance. I1e ad grasped at the chance of escape. lut I would take no risk of faillure. I vas by his side in a nomnent and natelied the halter from his hands. "Put out tile lightj," I said, and as lie lid so I ran ia noose round the pillar of lhe balustrade Iero5S the wiIdow an(1 Iropped the rope oitsile. Then, turn 11g to Conde, I said, "Descend and hold lie rope taiut below." The words were earee out of 311y miouth when we heard lie dull report of an arileblIs. "They have blown in the lock! hit lie leeded no bidding. lIe wa1s' lot good ait climning, but somehow heL. Iamliged it, and I relt the rope tigliten. [Ie was safe below. "'iaudemiolselle," I said, turning to \Inry. I pretended not to know hier-, )ut sheit shrank biack. "I cannot! I ennnot! Let them 'oie!" And hrl words1 were followed y3' a erash, nt hoarse shout anl the 11( of m:iay feet. Thenai I did whitt have never done t1o wom4an befoie (x ifter. 'T'he sirengtir-of ten poss::sed Ile. I took leri inlmy arms liko a chl1d1 and, holding her rotind the waist n\ .;h one hand, began the descent. j(! seemeitd to recoVer haerIeif as I g('t taut of the window and clung oin tI :i rope as vell as I, Olsv I had noev. coeded. U1tit -we complveti tdihe dn: as We hieard theni haiinialering . t w door, aui a voice --it was tle kin:"; alled out: "4An arcinlehus, il an rluebus!" Along the waterwvay t)n the roof -f the store we 3ranll lke lur'es, Pon11 ,il lea1ding, ftatI we had juist gained the stable and I had pmt it (Ihe light whenl we lieard th1e, door if lt roo from Which we(! had es1nedi bling forced in. They wvoil see the rop', I knIewI', and we were still not s: l'. I whispered haistily to cl'11e11: "akI'ie tihe horse and ride for your life! Go by the 'orte St. Ilonore." lie wAs hitulself 3gaini, for the Bour. b)ons neverl had tie poltroon fever. Ile driew 1114 giarths, betnit diown and( kissed Mlar's 1hand4 and14 3. ounted Iin the stale. .\s I hldlt thle door open for him14 he turned to mit, sainig: "Monasleur, I 9wear1t" hlut theit anIlgei- laze.d witin mei at the man11 whlo could r'isk a wonn'ais fair famie as lie had d1onot-nt the ai: who had birokena his word to his frk'r I. "'Iide!" I snld. ''Waste nio time in vows. 'Tis only3 ai pr1ince who thinks' lie (enn1 breark is wordt without d1is. hiior~i."' A341i olowinlg myl wior'ds enine yells aitd shoui~ts fromi thle w indowl' yhey4?3 hnd1 foundl tile ropel. (Conde made14 no0 an~swerQ, biut bent is head( an ld gave (Car1touchle the spurh, n1113 we hleaird him i lat t'er tdowna the street, and( I enu ighit Alar's hand1(, antd we ran ouit together. 1 took heri niorthward, throtughi p~aissge aind alley 3, until I felt tier falteri, anl d thenr I stopped, for she wvats breathlless aind almiost fainting. Hlut we wvere saife. No one would r'ee alfuize a 4juee'n ini the slight, gray clad flgur' that clun lg to a jester's aram as the two, f'olltiwedl by a smai~ll brown ipe, picked their wary alonag the niar row pavemnenit of the Rue St. Sauveur. [t was then thiat she spoke for the llrst timeit, andt as she (lid so she with. :rew her handiit from my airmi. "Is--is he safe, do y'ou think, mon !deur'l" "Monrselggneur ia by now free of the Porte St. llonore," I replied, still giv lug 110 sign that I knew her, but tihe .oks more att ractive than housework or a woianan, but it is also eve'iniore xhausting. 'rhe work is oftena donie mader highi pressure, 1and( thle brightness f the eyes ad the lushedt cheeks of he attentive clerk udlicate nervous-"' ess rather thana caith. If this is rue unditer amost .'" 1 avorabile coandi- ,'" FV Loas, what shalnl be Rid of those who ' \ ~ 7 (diseases, anid w~hio nidure headache,4, b~ackache, anid - - ther pains dlay4 fter da~y? No sick womana Irould neglect the leans of cure for a roaananly diseases ifered in Doctor ierce's Favorite t P'rescriptionr. It agualates the peri is, dries enafeebi-3 ig drauins, heals ail ammrattion and leerationr, and( ares femaale weakness. It maakcs weak Omaean stronig and sick woaiica well, "A heart ovecrflowinig witha gratItude, as well h a sense'c of dutty, targes tane to wa ite to you nnid 11 you of aluy wontderfual recovery," salys Miss >rinine C. IHook, Oriangehurg, Orangebuarg co., 31 m1th Ciarolina. "nly the uise of D)r. P'ierce's t ivorite Prescription I nan enatirel y a new beinug >mipared with the poor tniserable su fferer who rote you fouir mloniths ago. I retuanrkc to uily Ia irents alnmost every day that it seemts alamott lanmpossibility for mtedlicitne to do n person so It uch good. Duarinag thec whole summiaer I could arcet keep up3 to walk aboutt thte haousae, aid ster y Iwalked four tailtes naid felt better e4 r~tm t i exercise. I now weigha 1r poundca, d lane wast a comuplicated case of feale disease its w1orst form." Doctor Pierce's Pleasant Pellete curs 51 Maunnan. Aegelable Preparation rorAs similating liteFood and~legt ta tig theStomachs and Bowels of Promotes Digestion.CheerfuF ness and Rest.Contains neither OilumMorphine nor}fineral. OT-NARCOTIc. Adx..IrIm lionou Slaa - 1 .1 nsi nd c.s s FaL lMive .Jeed - A perfeci Riemedy f'or Constipa lion, Sour Slomach,lDiar'rhoca Worms,Convulsions ,Feverish ness and Loss OF SLJEEP. FacSimile Signature ol' NEW yOIRK. EXACT COPY OF WRAPPER. fee vis brokell now, ain she went on: "Oh, it was full'! It wvas madness! Why ever did I coine?" "We will get boe(k safely, tlaik God!" I isaid, but a great fear wIs iII my hoart lest the king should send to ord(I. 11he 1.ouvre gates to bet shut, and14 I hutrriedl her fil throutsh the mnoonlit str*.'ts. We went down the Itue Croix des P'etit Cha111i0s, pm..-il behlind the 1111 :18111 of Ihe Louvre nil at last enme to the gate b!elow tle rhdilig !chool. Once lAt that we were safe indeed, for iy little key wodi opwn the terrace wicket, and then al would be well. "Take mny arni," I said. "Iook as much like a Servanlt voluinni of tle pal. n~e its your11 highness cann." She did .0 without a word. As wo cnie to tile gate tle sentry loolked it u1s naii 'rrowly. I Stopped an1(d nddressed "My friend," I said, "it is not yet 10, Is it'?" "No, M. L~e lIrusquect." Itut is eyes~ were4 ont 1113 'oinatiillont, whIose hood wats draw wiWell over her fne(e. ilmie for thle king's suppi1er. Come, lii Igl(11io Il." I felt htetr shrink at t he word, but shei played her pa Itbrav ehy nlaal trPipped' byI~ my)3 stle 11s we 1lsseud tile gate. Wet were~t riot it momenit too sooni, lotr ts we' turneitd the $11rubbi eries a1 horseinnn i to I lhe stentry. It was8 Crequyi . "hins aniy one gonle this wavy?" Wte stoppeSd it theit shadtowv of th11e trees antd l istened. We dare not) slir, for 'It wvould mnn crossing ni i niumi paltch or mnoonlighlt, where, for certin , we wc uld heo sen. -"Yes, mtons'leur -Le IBrusquet, his ape and a girl-shle looked ptretty.'" "And y'ou dId nt stoj themiit?" "MonsIeur, tile gates are' free untii 10, and, besIdes, Le Brusquet hats an evil sword, and he called her Inl. gnonne."I "Hali, ha, hal" Andl Crequy 's m1erryV laugh rang out, whIle miy compnionili (1 stamflped her foot. "Three very good reasons, but t he first is the best. Unrtkee! Close thet gates ait once. Let nonte pass it or ouit." And then Crequy, turnin;; huis horse's head, rode off at a canter. As ho did so I drew the Inference romi his act. "The king is not back yet, your hIgh neoss. We arle safec." Then we crossed tihe gardlen in si lence until we canme to the little wicket leading to tile lad~is' terrace. I openedO~ it wlih my3 key, and whlent we had gone noi the steits anid reaichied the itiatformui Or ine terirace shet stoppei~d, and w faced eachi ot her. I shall1 never foriget t hat inight wher;' we two stood theret atloini, thei qtuiet mooni looking downt 0n us, the sil ver light, thit shadolt)wy tre'tes antd the scet'1 breeze. I saw my13 (lcquee's e'yte siitng ulpon ane, an id I knelt itt her feet. ''"Your' hi ghness8 w'ill tor'giv meii- 11y3 rreediom of sipechl i anil atl I havye dione. [hut thetrte wais jam othei' way1, and youg ire saiife now.'' 81he thriew~ her hitood imiik and( loiokt'd lown upon melt wih her' glorious eyes'i~, mfd thlen, stritehi ng onut hier' ha nd, risi d 1me4 to iiiy fet't. "M1. deC Ihesmett," she sid, '"God hats let ne know todny3 wha1!t ai true genttlemaln R. K'erep theseitt ini memilory3 of Mary'3 of' icotland." With thies(e woi'ds she de('tntched tile wo red r'ost' shie worte at the nec'k of er dr'ess nI l4 pied t hem it miy hands, nid its I hiiwed'i low andc in silence to ocel Vthe shieii$14 turned anid ran til the tiriwaty itiiu initto the palnce, slIppintg 'Oml 1my3 sight like a ghost, * * *\ * * * . Late thatt nuigift as I sat it my cham-. er, tinikilng aid sitart1ing att tile roses I ad pinH'ted in ai vnse on the table before ie, I heard't a stel) outside 11y3 door and itn a knock. I knew who it was, "Enter!" I Cr'ied, and1 Lorgnac camnoC I.lls fntee wa heaming, his eyes .ughing. Hie shoo0k me by the hand idi, tlinging imsel f into a chair, pour I hiimself tmnt a cup of D'Arbols and - rained it at a dratft. "See hier'e!" he said as he plhaced a J nail hag on the table. "A thousand r stoles inte 1 And I ow... 0 ;ASIORIA For Infants and Child&'en. "he Kind You have Always Bought Bears the Signature of * In Use For Over Thirty Years CASTORIA 714C CCNTAUIV COMPANY- NCW Y043K CITY. 3334414'V 3431 433 iii' l .4I 1 1i 1(I t i ilt-3 1n ne till- on th 11 table In fll to flaughing :1g:0in. "C(( 1' li e 3ab. "l i ll 114' y'ur sloj ry." I fil111111 111, 343iini g 4unly% . tilwl u - tionI I 11, I I ro)IS. :11141 w ' ll 11:31 414 h: i 1 hel. went to ll( . lille b1 ox Nu r11 I 'n4-1. 1)(11 lay wearid 1 1141 23 asloeel. Illi l4oo4ke It t1i1 al l l- a1 il cl:3 a li-em s ly .131d 3333t tere-:: 3oi h ill i a ve ('4)ll:11' i Lf bl. .011ll1 iiI, 1*401 you II:3 vt silve'l 3 3llie4l." T11 i- i ': 'k. Ill- we 'polo for 11w hili' a lv 'ifi n:lly li3)Ls. (I e4 hearts w ' ll f11 i n thing whih. l I dlill 1) l 1:;rc to 33 :Iljo k 40f 'v434 n Ili 4111v 11 4h11 e r. At h:Ist Ilw ro4SI. to go). .\S he st,.orl at go I . i'34 1 44~3 \ 13 '1.41 211 . the4 do1 wi,3* h'il in 3 32!''<41 i Iht he3 hes2 'ru3 inet. T mI ir-n3 :3 N: f 1r i ite for ( -'."II i w "' lin '" I said3. "he t' e t of13 3 \'an3 eebs Is w:3.te4 pa3lwr3. (.443d blk 21334 I wai1ted in331i1 his foot3Vt4ps h,:3i1 died away3,. ]li' was3 wearin3g2 his willow bra'3vely 23314 Iike,3 a genl(2nan3. Then3 I wen3t bacik toi loo4k 23at ii the <0ne ' e. liiut sIx 411~ Iays a ter Colle'had 1 a112t taIcked I I)onn3 1and33 stor4n'd Lens JandS 3( the klug had( 14'C2 dcired war agains8t Our Spaing Lines 01f ,Shoes.. Are now being opened Lip, and we find them pr'ettier and b)e.tter than. we had even hoped for. We et the~m direct frorn the world's best manubictur er's. 1f yOli will favo: us with a look~ we can certainly please you. Some ver'y desir able win ter Shoes still going at y eat ty reduced prices. Pride & Patton Greenville, S. C THE YOUJNGBLOOD LUMBER COMP.A NY AUTGUJSTA. GA. Deuie A Ni n Woilms, No:'rrn A 3'2l-s-rA 8. 1', D~oorsa, Sash, lIIi 3Ma nud 513ull14er's Hardw'I Iare'. Pl.OIltNG, S!DI1NG. CI'11LING; AN1) IN GEOlIGIA 1'INIk. All CorrespondenI3(ce given3 promp1t ait NgESS COLC. m~gSCHOOL*' ShORTHAND VIONINY TO IMA~ t )n farmilr g landr'. E3asy p4aymnet 3. N o inissi39Aons (chargeid. IHorrow4)r pa2,a a33C 1ual eost of pe0rfectinug loan2. Inl eree' 7 po0 04n1. up,) acco3rdting to) senr3iti. J NO B. PA 1,M im .A.0'(), )IIN!POXIT1IONS!! ' NI 3)uy2.3I(I. *Rantee4 of posit I 4o3 na aked by $utm( 4' 4rses neOxe~ ce. I'nter3 anly 313334' 3'talo4h/ir fron, ddtress, CO'.3' MBIIA IJUB1NESS8 COLLI RO E OLU biBIA, 8, 0