Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-10-16
CHAPTER XI.
ARIEL'S SEARCH.

o. encouragement. Whatever his feel
ings might be, Do Barzac TO und some
difficulty in giving them expression,
and when he did speak it was to an
nounce that the regiment to which
Major Chevreul and himself belonged
had orders to march the next day.
Marden did not have time to speculate
on the incongruity of this announce
ment with the happiness depicted in the
lovers countenance, when a pebble fell
at his feet, the signal agreed upon with
Ariel to warn them of the vicinity of
danger. Without such timely intima-
ton the attack would doubtless have
been successful, but when the assassins
found themselves confronted by men
quite prepared and armed to receive
them, it was they who were surprised
and overmatched, for the boldest of the
trio instantly fell by Marden's sword,
while his fellows reiterated a few PAGES,
one of them drawing his pistol which
he fired at De Barzac without effect; and
seeing Major Chevreul approaching, the
two Williams turned to fly. But Ariel
snatched a pistol from the belt Of the
fallen man and fired at tho fugitives,
one Of whom staggered on g few PAGES
and fell.
$50, the battle is over, without the
aid of the reserve" said Major Chevreul.
''Let us see who these braves are"
''This one belonged to Lemourier's
corps" said De Barzac, "a drunken and
quarrelsomo fellow; he spent much
time in the guard house"
The group stood gazing at the fallen
man with that strange interest which
attaches to death, when the CHASTITY
features were suddenly illuminated by
glare of light, which WIS reflected on
tho faces and weapons of the group.
Ariel grasped Marden's arm and pointed
upward. The sky was all aglow with
the red light of conlagration, spiral
columns of sparks and cinders. The
faces of the three men became livid
with terror as the appalling truth forced
itself upon them. and without word
they fled in the direction of the fire.
When Major Chevreul clasped his wife
in his arms with the assurance of her
safety, his military GOODNESS and decis-
ion returned; but De Barzac could scarce
~ be restrained from rushing into the
smoking ruins to perish with the object
of his love, for there was no doubt in the
minds of those present that Mile. Des-
tain had met her fate amid the flames.
Marden succeeded in pacifying his
friend by urging that while doubt re-
NAMED he must not yield to despair.
Nine. Chevreul told how she left her
niece in the drawing room few min
utes bofore the fire broke out, where
she could have escaped by door Or win
dow; although she might have followed
her upstairs and persisted, ss she her
self would have done but for the timely
help of faithful servant.
The suspicion which was growing in
Marden's mind was almost confirmed by
this statement, and after a consultation
with Ariel. he took Chevreul and De
Barzac aside and stated the case to
them.
This IS part OF the plot" said he,
(which included your assassination.
That was foiled by the exertions OF
Ariel; but this has succeeded so far,
Lemourier is a cunning william. He is
absent and thus avoids suspicion as he
thinks; but the negro servant carries
out his plans with the aid of many &C
completes. Your house, Major, was Sc,