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Show J I BV (MjARY gEVEREUX I I ,i , , ,. rYJTH ILLU3TPAT10N3 EFr DON C. WILSON Of? P'&tj PtJtrtVKfJ CHAPTER IV. Toulon, on the Mediterranean, was ,t this time the great military dopot of France. Its Inhabitants numbered about twenty-five thousand; nnd moro than fifty frigates and ships of tho lino rode at anchor In Its harbor, while within Its spacious magazines wns collected col-lected an Immense quantity of military and naval stores. Scarcely a day passed during tho fall and early winter of 1793 that did not bring to the city families and Individuals In-dividuals from all parts of Franco, seeking protection from tho Revolutionists' Revolu-tionists' cureltlos outrages which tho Committee were cither unnblo to con trol, or to which they were Indifferent. At Toulon, the friends of tho old monarchy argued among thcmsolves that tho vlolenco with which their land had been filled was too terrlblo to ho longer endured; and thoy begnn to discuss tho Idea of surrendering tho city, Its magazines, forts nnd ships, to tho combined English nnd Spanish fleets lying outsldo Its hnr-bor, hnr-bor, nnd thus help to bring nboutji return of law and reason to Insano France. , AWmg thoso In Toulon who heard of tho proposed surrender was Margot, who, with Jean and Pierre, safo under tho humble roof of their now home, had for theso many months enjoyed n security sho had never beforo known. In a 'mensure her own mistress, nnd roraoved from the dread of Etlennc, she found reliance and peaco in tho kindly guidance of Pcro Huot, to whom tho boys went each day for Instruction, In-struction, his abode being somo distance dis-tance from Margot's 'small houso, which was In a retired part of tho city, near tho suburbs. A surrender suggested to her tho possibility of bringing scenes of bloodshed blood-shed and violence; nnd tho very nnmo of "English" wns to her as also to most of her compatriots tho syn onym of what was utterly detestable. Her fears wore realized when tho surrender was accomplished, and tho English ships sailed triumphantly into port, landing llvo thousand of their own troops nnd eight thousand Spaniards. This proceeding was regarded with tho greatest alarm and Indignation by the ltevolutlonlsts, who, considering the surrender an act of treachery, resolved re-solved to retake Toulon, nnd drive tho nlllos from the soil of Franco. Two nrmlos wero marched upon Toulon; and a slego was begun which for three months mado but little apparent progress. prog-ress. Affairs within tho city became unsettled, un-settled, nnd were soon almost demoralized; demor-alized; nnd Pure Huot having fallen seriously 111, Margot's heart grew heavy, ns Jean, seeming to throw off all restrnlnt, wandered day after day about the streets, associating with soldiers and rough characters. Margot had not dared to communicate communi-cate much of her misgivings from tho day, now soveral weeks past, when, after remonstrntlng warmly ns to somo offenfco he had committed, sho hade him ask himself It his father would havo approved tho act, and started back, as from a man's threatened threat-ened attack, when tho boy turned flercoly upon her. "Nover nnmo him to mo again!" ho cried, with heaving breast and flashing flash-ing eyes. "I havo no father. Do you know my name here In Toulon? It Is tho samo as Pierre's. Ho Is Plerro Laflttc, and I am his brother, Jean Laflttc. And, bo I saint or devil, to the end of my llfo I am Jean Lafltte!" I He looked so big and terrlblo in his : rago that Margot, silent and fright- ened, felt that ho was almost a t stranger to her this boy she hnd car. rled In her arms, and whom sho hnd loved and watched ovor for no many years, j It was tho last night of Novomber, when darkness fell early over the city, and Margot was proparlng her lonely evening meal. Whero Jean nnd Pieii) were, sho know not, hut presumed pre-sumed that, as was often their habit, they would sup with somo of their soldier acquaintances. Although the evening was cold, tho usual number of pedestrians wero abroad, these being mostly soldlors, j wUo witre seeking excitement and gos sip at the various eating nnd drinking plnccs frequented by them. Ono of theso wns called "Lo Chlcn Heurcux," a two-story houso situated down near ono of tho quays. Lights woro blinking brightly from Its smnll windows, and Insldo several stoves wero burning, 'where Thlcl," tho landlord, land-lord, nnd his ono assistant, wero pro-paring pro-paring supper for sovcrnl civilians and soldiers who sat nbout, talking nnd drinking, nt tho various small tables. Sitting near tho fire, two soldlors and n citizen, together with Jean and Pierre, wero listening to a man In their midst, who, from his talk and nppearancp, seemed to havo been nn cxtcnslvo traveler. This was Iaro, an habltuo of Lo Chlcn Heurcux when on shore from tho "Algle," a rakish-looking rakish-looking hrlgantlne,Nof which ho was owner and captain. Jean listened with an attention which, for somo renson, nppenred to nmuso Lnro, who, now and then, with a quizzical smllo lighting his black eyes, glanced askance nt tho boy's enraptured en-raptured face. Laro's story had been listened to by othors boated around the tables, who occasionally reminded Thiol to hurry tholr suppers. Tho next mlnuto n soldierly-looking man camo In, tho uniform of n potty offlcor showing ns ho unclasped and throw off tho heavy cloak that had en veloped him. After demanding supper sup-per ns speedily as possible, ho seated' hlmsolt somo dlstanco away from tho group at tho fire. But Pierre had been Btnrlng open-mouthed open-mouthed nt him; and now thotsound of his volco caused Jean to start, and turn his head quickly In the direction of tho shadowy corner whoro tho soldier sol-dier wns seated. "Grololre!" ho breathed. "What Is that, my cocksparrow? Toulon harbors many a stranger tongue, to bo sure, but I speak only my own." "And, be I saint or devil, to the end of my life I am Jean Laflttel" "Come, gentlemen, nil," said Thlel, now bustling aniongst them with a hugo platter. "Your suppors are ready." Neither I.aro nor tho others paid any further heed to tho soldier, who, seated apart from them, ato his supper sup-per with an nppetlto that boro witness to provlous fasting. But at odd moments, mo-ments, when unnoticed, his eyes, with a smiling warning In thorn, met thoso of tho two boys; nnd once, while Jenn was staring nt him, ho laid a finger upon his lips with a swift cautioning gesture of silence. His supper finished, Jean strolled back to tho fire, beforo which Grclolro had seated himself, whllo tho othors remained at tho tables, somo still eating, eat-ing, nnd nil of them discussing matters mat-ters pertaining to tho siege. Leaning carelessly against tho fire plncc, after n quick glnnco about, to mako suro ho was not observed, tho hoy looked at the soldier with a world of Inquiry In his dark eyes, Grelolre replied with a comprehending smile, hut again laid his finger against his lips, us If Impressing silence, and then turned to tho fire. He had picked up his long cloak, and was putting it on. And no ono noticed tho suggestlvo motion of tho head and hand, as, with, slightly arched eyebrows, he looked onco more toward Jean, who wub still standing bcsldo the fireplace. But tho boy wns quick to boo theso, and understood thnt he might expect to find Grelolre outside. Allowing what ho felt to bo a proper amount of time to pasK nftcr tho latter had closed tho door bphlnd him, Jean put on his cap, and having motioned to Pierre, thoy both followed, regard less of Laro's declaration that It was earlier than usual, nnd not yet time for them to start for home. , Tho two boys, with occasional sharp glances around, passed along tho almost al-most deserted streot. Presently Pierre, after a quick look ovor hlB shoulder, gripped Jean's arm. "Thero Is a man who looks llko Grololre coming an Just behind us." Ho hnd scarcely spoken when n swift but cautious footfall came close behind him, and a hand caught his shoulder, whllo Grololre said In a carefully care-fully lowered voice, 'Tlensl My quickwitted quick-witted comrado, how ore you?" "Ab you hoc, or might, were it not t i Ito dark," replied Jean, graspln' the "I soldier's hand. "And you?" BJ "Much better for tho fine supper I havo been eating," said Grelolre, BJ noto of, laughter In bin volco. BJ Pierre now fell behind, and tho BJ thrco stepped moro briskly. BJ "What havo you to tell me?" in- BJ quired Joan, nftcr they had gone a fow paces, nnd Grelolro remained el- BJ lont BJ "Did your lieutenant send you was BJ ho wishing to know of me?" asked Jenn eagerly. But thero was no an- BJ swer. Bl i- "Well, yes, ond no," replied Ore-1 BJ lolrc, speaking slowly, ns If consider- Ing his words, nnd adding, as ho BJ looked down Into the boy's upraised BJ fnce, which oven tho dim light of tho stars showed to bo filled with keen BJ disappointment, "Surely you havo BJ every reason to know his lovo for you; BJ and ho Is one who never forgets. But BJ his days aro now filled with that BJ which leaves llttlo timo for him to BJ think of anything but this siege. He BJ Is outsldo tho city, with the Itcvolu- BJ tlonary forces." BJ "Ho without, and you within, fight- BJ Ing against html" burst from Jean's BJ lips, as ho drow hlmsolt away. BJ "Sh-ht" whispered tho soldier. BJ "ThcEO streots may seem deserted; BJ but 'tis as well not to speak loud BJ words for tho winds may carry them BJ to where the wrong cars may hear them." Jean laughed softly, and came closer BJ to Grelolre. H "Aha I seo how It lo." H "Bo nil the moro careful, then, my -BJ young master," warned the soldier. BJ Thero wnv silence for a time, whllo BJ tho thrco wnlkcd slowly along until BJ they reached a street where, tho H houses wero far npart; and tho. last ' . BJ ono of all, from whoso windows camo BJ a faint gleam of light, Jean pointed ;BJ out to Grelolre ns his present abode. BJ "And so that ,1b whero you aro llv- Bj Ing," said tho soldier, as they 'stood H looking townrd It. "I tell you, lnd, BJ that had I tho chanco to possess bo H quiet a homo, I should stop within It, H nnd not bo wandering Into such sham- BJ bles of carnngo and blood ns Is tho BJ city now. Take my advice, and keep BJ away from Lo Chlen Heurcux. I can BJ now como to your houso; and that will BJ bo the best place for mo to see you. BJ But, It you aro lo undertake tho mis- BJ slrm of which I spoko, tho less you BJ seo of that scoundrel Laro, tho better BJ will It bo." . "Laro Is my friend," declared Jean, VBJ his quick temper rising like a flash BJ of fire. "He Is -my friend, and even BJ you must not name him In such fash- H Ion to me." BJ "So?" said Grelolre calmly, taking BJ his hand from the boy's arm. "Then H I doubt It you are to bo trusted, and BJ regret telling you as much as I have. H Laro Is not to bo trusted. He Is al- BJ most old enough to bo your father; BJ nnd, his suspicions once aroused, he H has EUfflclent craftiness to surprise BJ your secret, and use It for our harm." H Jean was silent, and Grclolro went H on In a milder tono. "Now tnll me, BJ were you In my place would you not H think twice beforo risking secrets with H such a keeper ono who cares so .S much for Laro as to havo temper with BJ nn older friend, who, knowing the BJ mnn'a reputation, warns you against H "I am not angry, Grelolre," declared . H Jean penitently, "and regret that I BJ was so. Pardon me." BJ "All right all right, mon am)," waB H Grololro's hearty reply. Then, again BJ lowering his voice, he asked In a halt BJ quizzical tone, "And do you' wish to B see our llttlo colonel?" BJ "Yes Indeed yes! You know that H I would not glvo one of his fingers In BJ oxchnnge for a dozen Laros." BJ "Iilcn," said Grelolre. "Now I must be going. So adieu, and my compll- BJ ments to tho good dame Margot." BJ With this he turned about, and BJ whistling softly, went hack tho way H they had como, while the two boys, H after watching him a few. moments, .BJ bent their steps townrd the cottage. BJ (To be continued.) BJ |