Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 262: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 255 three countries, the United States, France and England, will have no rest till you and your men are smoked out of your haunts like a lot of wasps in a hollow tree. I have a friend, an Englishman of influence an i means, who will move heaven and earth to get his hands on you and string you up for the black- guardly crew you are! ”’ Cavara shrugged his shoulders with satanic irony. | “Who can prove anything, or trace your coming to my place? And any way, I have a price set on my head already. They will probably increase the amount a little; that’s all!” ‘There will be no talk of proof when they run you down! ” retorted Cot- trell, reckless in his despair. “ They will annihilate you all like the vermin that you are!” A savage roar burst from the throats of the listening ruffians, but Cavara silenced it with a gesture. ‘Lead him on to the castle!” he cried. harshly. Then, on a sudden, there was a rustle of skirts, and Marie darted forward and passed her hand through Cottrell's imprisoned arms. “ Henri, | am going with you,” she said simply; “ wherever they take you I shall go, too!” : ‘He makes a brave lover, my lady,” commented Cavara, “ but his way isnot yours. Stand aside, if you please! ” : But the girl clung the closer to Cottrell. He whispered in her ear not to defy Cavara. It would do no good. If she would show seeming submission, time would be gained, and little Daron might yet be able to help ‘ier. “ Desert you?” she answered, looking up at him with the love shining in her eyes. “ Ah, you don’t know me, Henri. I am a weak, timid creature no longer. For your sake, Henri, I am strong.” “ God bless you, Marie!” cried the poor fellow, the sweat of anguish on his brow. “ You shall stay with me and may God be with. us!” Just then one of the members of the band stepped up to Marie and put a great hand on her arm with the idea of drawing her away. The girl shrank from him, while Cottrell stood bound and helpless. Sud- denly an arm shot out and the fellow tumbled in a heap on the ground, and there stood Don Cavara, with eyes ablaze. ° “You dog!” he thundered, kicking the body of the unconscious ruffan. ‘How dare you lay hands on the countess!” Then, turning about on the silent, astonished crowd, “ I’ll- shoot the first man that puts a finger on either of these women! ”’ Cottrell knew not what to make of this sudden show of chivalry, but the countess knew, and with true womanly instinct she saw her chance. “T thank you, monsieur!” she said to Cavara. ‘‘ Though you have tried your best to conceal it, that act shows that at heart you are a gentleman.” Cavara flushed deeply, and his eyes dropped befo-e her fearless glance. The men had all withdrawn a few paces and were leaning on their weapons, talking in snatches among themselves. ~ “Tf I could have had the love and help of a woman like you, I might have been a different man.” GONG OOO UN ceo