Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-12-31

with such cIatter That further question
ing was impossible.
CHAPTER XII
MAD RIDE.
Alphonse Damiens' wrists were as
strong as steel, but it was some little
time before he could bring his horses
down to steady trot. They started at
their own shadows in the occasional
glimpses of moonlight; the fierce gusts
Of wind which came with more con-
slant fury terrified them into mad re-
| bellion and, when the snow beat their
faces and the cutting sleet dashed their
sides, it was all that accomplished
horseman could do to keep them in
hand. But at last he succeeded in reduc-
| ing their speed to a swift, swinging trot.
which carried them gayly over the
| ground to the rhythmic cadence of the
| sleigh bells.
''Keep the buffalo robe well wrapped
around your knees" Damiens said. Il
think we had better try the marsh; it
| will save at least five miles,
TRY the marsh; do you mean the bay
Dolman was speaking Of? Is it not
rather dangerous road?"
bah! Dolman is an old woman-the
bay, or marsh, whatever you like to
| call it, is safe enough to a man who
knows his road. But if you are afraid,
why"
''No, no, am in your hands, Arun-
del said hastily, ''go whichever way
pleases you BEST
''Then, hold on, for we turn down a
hill here, and the descent is q little
AWKWARD
So awkward that it seemed to George
Arundel as though they We're going
down the roof of q house, but ere he
could confess his alarm, the runners
grated on the level rough ice of the
frozen river.
| The relief was instantaneous. The
cold, cutting blasts of Aind lost their
fury in the shelter Of the high bank,
and the horses, blown with their furious
| speed, relaxed their pace to a gentle
walk.
''This is ever so much pleasanter, -
Arundel observed, Though l think we
ran some risk to get here. A blind
man, you know, Mr.. DamIens, may be
excused for being a little nervous, and
my being frightened must not be con-
strued into slight Of your magnificent
accomplishments as Jchu.''
''Oh, I'm all right and the horses
know me-" was the careless response;
''but you ought not to mind q little dan
ger for the enjoyment of SO much hap
piness as you have had to-day. There's
many man would go through twice as
much for such reward
YES, have had delightful day.
Arundel replied, puzzled ct the sudden
change Of his companions tone.
''And, when is the marriage to come
Off" the Frenchman asked abruptly.
1.-The marriage-whatm arriage?"
''Why your own, of course-yours
and the pretty Teachers was the
coarse reply.
do you mean by the pretty teacher
to refer to Miss Arlington?''
'Who else? You arc not ashamed of
your choice, suppose?"
''Has anyone dared to hint at such a
thing?" Arundel demanded in angry
tones.
''No need to hint-Ive got eyes in my
head to see with, l suppose, if you have
not" was the brutal rcjOinder.
Il don't know what you mean by as
suming this tone to me- George said,
highly indignant; ''to taunt me with
my affection is not very brave thing
to do, Mr.. Damiens. Perhaps, if I had
the blessed privilege of sight, you
would be more careful in your selection
Of words and your manner Of using
them"
Bah. What do you mean by swapping
a mans head off for venturing a re-
mark? Is Wanda Arlington
please, Mr.. Damiens, let Miss Arl-
| ingtOn's name rest
''Oh, SO Miss Arlington must not be
talked about, or even thought about,
suppose, by anyone but Mr.. Arundel.
How selfish you successful lovers are. -
George was silent. A rctOrt rose to
his lips, but he wisely curbed his
tongue. Helpless as he was, what
could he do to check the ribald non
sense of this man, who seemed deter
mined to pick quarrel with him.
But silence did not suit Damiens'
mood.
AYE, you thought you'd got the
game in your own hands, didn't you,
Mr.. Blind Man? But when you made
your plans to entrap Wanda with your
sniveling appeals to her pity, you left
me out Of your calculations, guess"
Good heavens! Is the man insane?''
George muttered.
Well might he ask himself the ques-
ton, for the next moment his compan-
ions voice, hoarse with passion, was
kissing in his ear so wild and incoherent
: ! g (i = !
| " -.1nd