Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-16
the entr.aae regarding her With /. grim

quarters" he said, ironically, '.and If
they are not as commodious as those of
Nine. Chevreul, madamoiselle must re-
member that a soldiers bride, like him
| self, should submit gracefully to incon-
venience."
Ninon regarded him silently, with an
expression which reminded him of her
| aunt at their Last interview.
"Parb1eul" he exclaimed, fiercely,,
with gesture as if he was about to
strike her. "Do you think it will be
safe to defy me? Am I one Of your vas
| sails like De Barzac? Undeceive your
| self, madamoise1le. am not your lover,
but your master. You will marry me In
the morning. The priest is here and
the bridal party waiting" he added, with
Q harsh laugh.
Ninon regarded him scornfully. "You
are cowardw she said in low tone,
but 1t touched every nerve in his body.
The blood rushed to his face and q
murderous light shone in his eyes. He
made stride forward and struck her
across the face with the back of his
hand. His savage temper being aroused,
he might have used further violence,
but tho squaw pushed herself before
| him.
Perhaps the fair and gentle captive
| touched some chord in the heart of this
child of the forest and unconsciously
enlisted her sympathy. 1t is certain that
she held knife concealed in her dress,
and the glitter in her eye indicated that
she was in dangerous mood. It needed
but gesture, however, to remind
.Lemourier that he was dtsgracing him
nd hOi fr0 MI ic
rashness, not less than at the offense
given him, he strobe abruptly out Of the
tepec. The night was warm and the fire
burned low. Confident in their numbers
| and the isolation of their camp, the
Frenchmen slept around the embers or
smoked and talked with the yivacity OF
their race.
Marden and his companion having
concealed the canoe in a clump of trees
on the shore, watched the enemy
through the branches, and while the
fire lasted made an estimate of their
numbers. Circumstances seemed to IA
vor the two scouts, and Marden made
up his mind that the rescue of the lady
could be effected easily.
Ariel was not so confident, remember
ing his late experience, but started to
reoonnoiter, his master following at a
short distance. The campfire was so
low that he could barely distinguish the
tepee. Searching on his knees for the
crevice through which he had escaped,
he found it at last, and cautiously feel
ing his way touched something from
which he was about to recoil, when he
felt his hand grasped in one so hard and
muscular that his heart sank within
him, as the picture OF failure and ruin
arose before his minds eye. Then his
hand was released, and shadow
emerged from the crevice.
Perplexed but undaunted, Ariel once
more felt for and clasped the hand Of
the incognito. = was soft and flexible
and returned his pressure. At the same
moment he heard the voice of Lemourier
fiercely shouting to the negro, demand
ing why tho watch fire was not kept
burning, and guard kept on the shore;
from which Ariel inferred that the chief
had suddenly awakened to find the
camp unguarded and in darkness. The
negro at once kicked the embers to-
gether and flung an armful of branches
on them from which shot up column
of sparks and then a thousand tongues
of fire which threw flood of vivid li1ht
instantly took in the situation and with
savage oath he rushed upon the fugt-
tives, but Marden planted himself in
his way.
tQuick, Ariel, quick! to the cancel"
he shouted, retreating slowly, his
sword pointed at the breast OF his
enemy, whose followers, startled from
their repose, were hurrying to his as
sistance. The Frenchman drew his
sword and made a lunge which Marden
avoided by springing backward, while
Lemourier in his rage stumbled heavily
forward. The active American sprang
to his side and unwilling to Stay the de-
fenseless man, struck him behind the
ear with his clenched hand. The giant
fell senseless to the earth; but his fol-
lowers were crowding on. Thus far
they had refrained from using their fire.
arms for fear of hitting their chief.
''Take him alive" cried the negro, as
they were about to fire. The group was
Standing in the full glare of the camp
fire, but the canoe was hidden from
view. The men were about to rush.
upon him when he plunged into the
river and disappeared from their view
the swift current bearing him away into
Ariel and Mile. Destain had watched
the scene with breathless interest from
their hiding-place, and the former was
about to push the canoe into the stream
to rescue his master when he felt it
move, propelled by duslxy figure, and
an unseen paddle aided him to guide it.
''Ariel!" 1t was Marden's voice, and
the boy followed the direction of the
sound until the bark touched the beach
of another island, from which could be
dimly seen the lights and figures of
the one they had left. The same dusky
figure stepped out of the canoe and held
it while Ariel helped Mile. Destain to
land.
''Is the lady safe, Ariel?' asked
Marden.
''She is safe, M. Marden," said Ninon,
laying her hand on his arm; land oh,