Cogyiifta, 1908. br The BoobeMcmU Co
tager efforts when a hand at the door
raused her to dash down the pen and
iprtng to her feet. As her aunt en
tered, Nanette took a few steps for
ward, and, bending to pick up her
work from the floor, turned partly
»way and thrust the paper into the
bosom of her gown.
“I came to tell you supper is ready,”
»ald Marie quietly.
At the table with her aunt the girl's
Banner was subdued and deferential;
she observed the nicest proprieties,
and bestowed on the other's slightest
t word a meed of attention calculated
to soften the old woman's attitude and
suspicions. And possibly succeeded;
»r, it may be, Marie's own conscience
had begun to reproach her; for a num
ber of days had passed and nothing
had as yet occurred to justify the
early apprehensions she had enter
tained. Under the circumstances the
meal was a little prolonged: the first
•hatta of twilight had entered the
courtyard and had begun to steal into
the narrow chamber with darkening
effect, ere of an accord the two wcm
•n pushed back their chairs.
“It gets dark early,” said the girl,
"or time has passed quicker than I
thought. Perhaps it was what you
were telling me of the former lady of
the Mount. She must have been very
beautiful!”
“She was,” answered the woman;
"and as good as beautiful!"
“Heigh-ho!” ‘ Nanette sighed;
through the window watched the shad
ows that like dark, trailing figures
seemed creeping up the ancient wall
to caress and linger on green leaves of
vines, bright flowers and other living
things. "But I suppose she had every
thing she wanted.” The girl stirred
restlessly. “What sort of a man is
Monsieur Beppo, aunt?”
"Beppo?” Recalled as from a long
train of recollections, the woman did
not seem to notice the abruptness of
the inquiry. "Oh. he is an old and
faithful servant. For almost as many
years as I have been here,” with an
accent of pride, "has he served at the
Mount!"
"And his moral character, aunt?"
demurely.
“Monsieur Beppo has a reputation
for piety, no doubt deserved!” re
turned the woman, with an accent of
surprise. “At any rate, he seldom
misses a mass. But why do you ask?”
“Because I met him today and he in
vited me to walk with him this eve
ning."
“He did?” Marie’s mouth grew firm
er. "And you?”
"I didn’t exactly know how to re
fuse! he—looked so old and respect
able! I thought, too, you wouldn’t
mind and—I’m glad you think so well
of him, aunt."
In the gathering gloom the listener’s
faoe seemed suddenly to grow graver;
her eyes, which had returned to the
girl’s, expressed once more doubt and
misgiving. With her glance lifted up
ward, however, Nanette did not seem
to notice this quick change. A star—
faint forerunner of a multitude of
■waiting orbs—peeping timorously
down from above the gray, gaunt mass
of stone, alone absorbed the girl's
gaze and attention.
“Where were you thinking of go
ing?’’ after a silence of some length
the older woman asked.
"I don’t recall that Monsieur Beppo
mentioned,” was the low-murmured re
sponse. "But, of course, aunt, if you
object—”
"I do not know that I do,” said the
other slowly. "Only,” as if the thought
had suddenly come to her, “what were
you writing at her ladyship's desk
when I went to call you?”
“Writing?” Nanette regarded her
blankly. “I don’t understand you,
aunt.”
“Weren’t you -writing something
that you hid in your dress when I
came?”
"No!” The girl looked full at the
other; denied point-blank the accusa
tion. "Now that y6u speak of it, I be
lieve I did step to the desk,” she an
swered glibly, "to look at some orna
ment; but as for writing, or daring to
I should not have presumed.’
A low discreet rap at the door inter
rupted, and, with a whispered "There
he is now!” Nanette cut short further
argument by rising.
"She is not telling the truth!” For
some time the woman stood looking
down in gloomy thought af.er the two
had gone. "What does it mean?”
Moving to a peg, she took down a
shawl. “What can it mean?” she
asked herself again, and, wrapping the
garment about her head and shoul
ders, ieft the room.
Half an hour larsr, at Beppo’s side,
on the beach. Nane.tn measured hei
steps to his; listened to the old man’’
platitudes, ar.tl even turned a not ur.
’willing ear to sundry hints and in
’■uendos of a tenderer nature. Th<
•girl was in her most compialsan
mood, and, in his role of discreet gal
lant to young and blooming worna
hood, the fat faciotum strove to mak<
the most of the opportunity. H<
sighed; bethought him of a sentiment
al tale, and carped of the bc-auty o?
the moon, then gilding the edge 01
the Mount's high tovveis! She an
swered; looked; out soon her eloquent
glance swerved to the sands, dotted
by desultory seekers of cockles, c
belated stragglers from the shore, am
fna.ened its .If on a juiting point oi
the Mount.
Near it, before :i Jarre m.-h i-t
eiijmr shape, a man was engaged i
that common nocturnal kibe, of the P
cality, digging! As the coup to d»«v
near, quietly he raised iiis gaze; al
most at once let it fall; engrossed in
Ills work, continued to toss the sand
ana sloSB over It "seardEThglv. "But
when they had gone by, once more be ]
straightened, and, at the same time,
the girl looked back. Stalwart, black
besrded, a sailor by his dress, the fel
low made a sign, and, apparently any
doubt as to who be wai vanished from
sunerte'B mind; for from the fingers
f the free hand she held behind her,
something fluttered to the beach.
Leaning to his implement, the man
regarded the paper, but not until the
iri's low laugh was heard, as she and
dast-.-r Ltppo vanished in the tfark
.ers, di«i h<- step forward and secure
"Po! That was it!” Breathless, ln
iignunt, Marie, standing in the black
i.i.Ue of one of the Mount’s projec
ions, watched the fellow rend and re
ard carefully the message in his
and; Iheu tearing it, crumple the bits
tnd thrust '.Item toward his pocket
s he walked off. “Brazen huzzy! But
ter ladyship shall know; and if she
loesn't pack you oif. bag and baggage
—Eh? What is that?” And springing
orward, the woman pounced upon
something that lay on the sand.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Hesitation of the Marquis.
The day of my lady’s riding party
dawned; in the east a tender flame
burned, and. vanishing, left the
aea'f* us an unbroken blue. Shoreward
be mists rolled up, until only in the
neighborhood of the forts did the
.vhite, soft vapor linger. On the Mount
tself sunshine held sway; it radiated
Tom the fortifications, "cuirass of the
rock.” and gleamed on the church,
‘tiara of its majesty.” It warmed a
cold palace of marble; looked in at Its
windows, and threw bold shafts to
lighten dark nooks and corners.
But my lady, mistress of the Mount,
seemed not to feel its beneficent
touch; standing iu the full glow and
looking from her casement she shiv
ered a little. Already was she
dressed, and her habit of dark green,
fitting close, served to accentuate the
whiteness of her cheek which general
absence of color, in turn, made the
more manifest certain dark lines be
neath the restless, bright eyes.
"Your Ladyship!” After knocking
in vain, Marie had entered the room
and set down the small tray she car
ried. “There is soniething your Lady
ship ought to know!” with an air of
excitement.'
turned. “What now. Marie?" she said
sharply. *
“It’s about Nanette!” My lady made
a quick movement of annoyance, im
patience. “1 did not tell your Lady
ship, but I was averse to having her
remain here. Your Ladyship does not
understand, of course, and—”
“I do understand," said my lady un
expectedly. “And—you need not ex
plain. I overheard you talking with
her that night of the banquet!”
“Your Ladyship!” startled.
"And I heard you speak of bar fa
ther, Pierre Laroche, friend of th«
Black Seigneur.”
“And engaged her—after that!"
“Why not? I could watch—and I
have! But you were wrong, Marie.”
My lady's manner was feverish. “Your
suspicions were ridiculous. There has
been nothing—nothing! And day aft
er tomorrow is the wedding celebra
tion, and the next day, he, the Black
Seigneur—” She broke off abruptly.
Had Marie been less wrought up,
less excited, less concerned with the
information she had to impart, ahe
could not have failed to notice the odd
break in her young mistress' voice;
something unusual, almost akin to de
spair, in her manner. As it was, that
which weighed on the old nurse's
mind precluded close observation of
the oilier.
“But something has happened, my
Lady!” the woman half stammered.
“Comment!" Th" girl turned to her
sharply. “What? I-?- plain, Marie!"
Disconnectedly, the woman launched
into a narration cf the events of the
night before; my lady listen'd closely,
with an interest and excitement she
strove to conceal, half turning so that
the other saw no longer her face.
“And here.” <nd- d Marie, extending
a crumpled fragment cf paper, “is a
piece of the note she dropped on the
beach. The man tore it up, but in
thrusting the bits of paper into his
pocket this fell cut, and, after he
walked away. I picked it up myself j
from the sand. I er.n’t read, as your
Ladyship knows, and there isn’t much
on it—only a word or two! But It
may tell something."
My lady's face was now composed;
the hand she extended, steady; for
several moments she regarded tha
fragment.
"What does it £3 3'?” asked the worn- j
an anxiously. "Is it—Is It important?"
Her mistress did not at once an
jwer; twisting the bit of paper in her j
fingers, stood as if in though:, and the :
old nurse repeated her question.
“This note might have been intend- j
ed for some admirer!” said, at length,
the Governor’s daughter slowly.
“He looked mere like an old priva
teersman!” murmured the woman. 1
"And there may be some plot—some I
plan!”
"Privateersman!" The girl’s man-'
nor underwent a change; site shrugged
her shoulders. “What could (hey hope j
!o do at the Mount! You are imagina- j
♦ive. Marie!” lightly. “Nanette is
good-looking, and what liti'.e la here !
would se»m to signify a rendezvous. ;
There may be no great harm in that.” J
“1 am sorry, my Lady, to sec.m to !
fhink ill of my own k'n.’’ muttered the j
woman ’dejectedly, "but—”
“Think no more of It! You have
done your duty. Now leave the mat
ter to me. and—thank you, Marie!”
When, however, the old nurse had
gone, all pretense of lightness faded
from the face of the Governor's daugh
ter, and, opening the bit of paper, once
more she scrutinized it swiftly, in
tently.
“Tomorrow—Monastery St. Ranu—"
she read. “YTes; ’t must mean St. Ran
ulphe—where we are going. And
where Heppo knew we were going!
Beppo. she went down on the beach
with!” Again she studied the tng*
mem. striving to matte out a word that
had been blotted and was almost Il
legible. She frowned as she endeav
ored to decipher it. “Lady E.” She
gave an exclamation. “That refers, o?
course, to—But why?” She kept ask
ing herself the question. “Why?” she
repeated, when suddenly the brown
eyes wtt«Md-ehuc*d: n **w light
tie?" intend* To—w~aTeIse?’r
The sound of horns—signal for the
party to gather—broke upon the air,
and, nervously crushing In her palm
the piece of the message, she stepped
to the table, to the untasteu bieak
fast. Like one in u dream, who yet
feels the need for haste, she poured
out the coffee; with unsteady hand
raised the cup and drank; started to
serve herself again; as If forgetful of
the Impulse, paused.
‘‘And I?” she said with deeper
breath. “To ride to the ambush they
have so cleverly planned? Allow my
self to be taken prisoner by these des
perate men? No; no; I could not!
And yet—” A trampling of horses’
hoofs in the court below Interrupted.
“They are ready to start!" Uncer
Tha Sound of Horns—
tainJy she lifted her head; looked
around her; then mechanically stepped
forward and left the room.
A scene of animation greeted her in
the court, alive with lords and ladies, i
for the most rart already in the saddle !
and waiting.
MKaiJ to Diana, who will lead us In
the forests!”
"Fair nymph, let us away!” and the
Marquis extended h!s hand.
With a seemingly merry nod she
acknowledged their greetings; put out 1
a foot, and lightly sprang to her place !
on the back of the nervous thorough
bred. But ere giving the signal to !
start, the girl's glance swung around I
to a window opposite, where stood an ;
austere figure, imperturbably looking |
down to watch them ride oft.
“Au revoir, neon pere!” Her voice !
rose with an odd, unusual thrill. "Au j
revoir!” she repeated, when a mlsti- I
ness In her eyes suddenly blurred
sight of him, and she tightened the j
reins. Vet hesitating to go, her gaze J
cleared, and swerving, was abruptly
arrested by another and more Inter
ested spectator, v. ho, partly concealed
by flowers and plants, peered with ;
anxious expectancy from her own bal
cony. As Nanette’s eyes met those of
the Governor's daughter, they wavered j
half guilffly; suddenly became steady, |
held fey scmethfng—a Bash of impel- !
ling intelligence In the other’s gaze. A
momefet fe’r twor/fcdy lady continued to j
regard the girl;' then touching her j
horse, wheeled sharply, and set a pace
downward not easy to follow.
At the base of the Mount they were 1
met by a numerous guard bright in j
holiday trappings, and, under the care j
of the commandant, with flourish of i
horse, the party swept gaily from !
sands to shore.
“A gallant company. Monsieur le
Commandant!” observed the Marquis
to the officer In charge, as they :
reached the grfen line at the yellow |
bazin’s edge. "Now If we were to
meet an enemy—”
"He would fmd us prepared, my
Lord!” the officer declared.
“True!” And the nobleman ccm- ;
placently touched the jeweled hilt of i
his own blade, accompanying the ac- ’
ticn with,a tender glance at the Lady
Elise.
SLe, however, a little ahead, ap
peared not to hear; spoke suddenly to
her horse, and. as they swung from
the sward, started at a brisk gallop
down the road. Laughing, the others
came after, lords and ladies first; be
hind, with tumult and clatter, the com
mandant and his men. As they ad
vanced, on either side the way thick
trucks of moss-grown monarebs up
lifted their gnarled and hoarv branch
€8, to meet overhead; through leafy |
interstices bright flashes of sunlight |
shot downward, danced on fine gar- ,
meats and accoutrements, and then t
whisked elflshlv away. In dim recesses
finches and sparrows sang; beyond,
murmured streams and rivulets, while
at the feet of the riders, gay restless
flowers nodded, as if in accompani
ment to the glad music of the morn.
“Small wonder his Excellency should
have desired to add this fair principal
ity to his own!" muttered the Marquis,
looking around. “Of the seven forests
of Brittany, none will compare with
this, the Desaurac woods. What think
you, Ellse?” spurring his horse near
his betrothed’s. "Are you not taken
by its beauties?”
She looked at him with a start;
since leaving the sands she had not
spoken, and now, tugging at the reins,
only said abruptly: “My saddle! 1
believe it is loose.”
“Loose!” repeated the nobleman.
“Careless lackeys! Let us see!” Anc
grasping me bridle of her horse, pulled
in his own, sad drew both animals to
a standstill at the aide of the road.
As he dismounted to examine straps
and fastenings, the others dashed up;
my lady lightly motioned them on.
"We'll aoou overtake you! Don't
wait!” Unquestioning, they obeyed;
though the commandant, to whom &
few moments later she delivered A
similar injunction, brought his men to
& halt and proffered his services.
Whereupon the Marquis repeated the
girl’s words more sharply; reddening,
the officer wheeled and started to ride
on.
"I can’t find anything wrong here!"
Puzzled, the Marquis straightened.
But her eyes were directed ahead
and she pointed with her whip to a
break ia the woody barrier to the right
—a path that, springing from the
roadside, seemed to plunge into the
very heart of the labyrinth.
‘iwkl.tta short cut!—that would
To be continued
Candidates Lining up for the Great Race in the Northwestern’s
-Big $650.00 Automobile Voting Contest
$650* In Prizes
Is your favorite’s name on the list? Nominations can be made at any time, First count of votes in
this issue. Boost your favorite to head the count of votes next week.
Votes for the different canditates are pouring into the ballot box.
.On the streets, in the home, in fact all over the county, people are awakening to the fact that the Northwestern’s contost
and the magnifficient prize that is to be given away, is not idle gossip. The Northwestern inaugurated this sub*
scription contest in order to determine who is the most popular la iy in this and adjoining counties and is backing this prop
osition with $650 in cash prizes. Choose your favorite and help her win the Ford automobile. The race is now on, and it is
the wise condidates who get started at the beginning, who will gather in the votes.
To The Candidates
Have you planned your line of campaign in this voting contest? Probably you have, hut is it the best plan, the one that
will enlist all your friends; which will gather weight as it goes along. We are always willing to help the candidates with
suggestions, list of subscribers in any territory where they want to work, and we request them t > write to the contest mana
ger for any information. Get your friends interested by securing the 5"-vote coupon from their Northwestern and also get
them to give_you their subscrip i »i. E icli subscription coll cted will entitle you to votes according to the published schedule
of votes. The schedule of votes applies on both old and new subscriptions. Our motto is “A Square Deal to Every Candi*
didate.” We have no favorites.^ Let your slogan be “Do You Take the Northwestern? Do not st*>nd back on any account.
Just show your friends what a business woman you are anti vhoy will help you. All that is necessary, is to get the spirit of
the race, and push to the front and it will take a dozen to defeat you. It you wil use these tactics during the contest you will
win a glorious battle, and come out witn flying colors. The contest h is opened, and our advice is, to get started now while
the fields are unp'edged to another candidate.
This Ballot Expires February 26.
The Lyj? Cliy Njriliwirtern’s Automsblls Contest;
50 Good for 50 Votes 50
For M...
Address..
This ballot is good for 50 votes when filled out and sent to
the Northwestern office. mail or otherwise. No ballot will
be altered in any way or transferred after being received
by the Northwestern,
Address Contest Manager, care of Northwestern.
NOMINATING BLANK
The Northwestern’s Automobile Contest
hereby nominate and cast 1000 votes for
M .
Address...
,s tlie most popular candidate in tlie North westen voting contest.
Signed . .
Address
o
N
a
C
f8
o
Rules Governing This Contest
Any lady is eligible,providing con
ditions set forth below are compiled
with, but th$ contest manager re
serves the light to reject objection
able nominations.
No candidate will lie permitted to
transfer votes to another after receiv
ing them for herself.
Ballots sent in for names not crop
ably nominated will be destroyed un
counted.
Every candidate should be regularly
nominated on a blank printed in tiiis
paper or a similar blank furnished by
he Northwestern.
I
A coupon will be printed during
the first weel(s of the contest. This
coupon will count for the votes desig
nated therein. All coupons will be
dated and will be void unless re
ceived at this office on or before the
expiration of. the time set as printed.
All ballots must be sent to the con
test manager, care of the Northwes
tern with postage prepaid.
No employe of the Northwestern
will be eligible as a candidate.
Any questions or controversies that
may arise are to be settled by the
Contest Manager.
In accepting nomination, all can
didates must agree to abide by above
conditions. In case of a tie vote a
prize of equal value will t>e awarded,
' or the prize so tied sold and money
equally divided. The Contest Mana
: ger reserves the right to govern the
j closing date in ease of sickness or
j death.
; The way to secure votes is by pay
ing money for subscriptions or cut
ting out free votes from the North
| western. Positively no notes will be
j sold for cash without subscriptions to
; the paper. Candidates may solicit
votes in any part of the I’nited States.
The regular vote schedule below
will not he increased during the con
test except in special ballot periods.
No young lady should hesitate to go
into this contest, as everyone has a
fair chance to win a handsome and j
valuable prize. The main object the ,
Northwestern has in view is to get
subscribers and the girl who works
the hardest is the one we want to
have the best prize.
Don't hesitate to ask your friends
and neighbors whether they take the
Northwestern. Hustle and there will
be nothing to defeat you.
The list of candidates nominated
will be published next week. Head
! them over: probably yonr name w ill
! be among them.
Note
When properly filled out and mailed
or delivered to the Contest Manager
the nomination blank will count for
1000 votes for the candidate nomina
ted, except that but one nomination
blank will be accepted for each candi
date/' Nominations written on an or
dinary sheet of paper will be accepted,
names of parties making nominations
will not be divulged only when re
quested. In next week’s issue we will
publish a list of candidates whose
nominations have been received up
to the time of going to press.
Save the 50-Vote Ballots
Candidates ate entitled to as many
of these 50.vote ballots as she may
procure. Each one counts50 vote for
| the candidate whose name appears
J upon it. Ask your friends and rela
; tives to sa*e these free 50-vote ballots
! for you. Gather them up and bring
j tnem, or have them sent direct to
, the Northwestern office. Sign your
I name upon each one. Be sure you
have them in the ballot box before
expiration of date on the ballot.
Nominate a Candidate
Cut out this nomination blank, write
in the name of a popuiaur young lady
or girl, sign and send to the North,
western and upor receipt of same the
young lady whose name appears upon
it will become a candidate and is el
igible to compete for the grand pTiz.es
offered. Only one nomination will be
accepted for each candidate. Each
candidate nominated will receive 1000
vote as a starting standing. Make
a nomination now'. Help some can
didate win an auto.
Schedule of Votes on Sucscription Contest
1 year *1.50.300 votes
2 years *3.00.700 votes
3 years *1.50.1200 votes
1 years *0.00.1800 votes
5 years *7.50.2500 votes
G years 89.00..{300 votes
7 years $10.50.4200 votes
8 years $12.00. 5200 votes
9 years $13.50.0300 votes
10 years $15.00.7500 votes
''proprietor8” Contest Manager
Care Northwestern
1
Mi H*
f- i ^