The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-26

person in rose colored gown, giving the
brute Jumps of sugar. The sugar, the rose
colored gown, the officer and the horse
made very disagreeable impression on
Edouard and couple of days later his
mother, summoned by telegraph, made
formal demand of Nine. de Saupiquet Tor
her daughters hand.
Your request does us infinite honor,
replied the proprietress of the summer
house. II must take time to think about
it and talk it over with M. de Saupiquet.
I am afraid that he will think her too
young to be married this year. :"
La Jarrie lost standing. Solicitations to
him became distant. His hand was shaken
languidly Some said he had asked the
government, in whose service he was, for
change of post; other, that his finances
were askew. For his part. he bided his
time patiently. counting on the future.
In the opinion of everybody else he was
counting on miracle.
Some two miles from La Roche on an
uncultivated plateau deliciously cooled by
the eastern breeze miniature lake, al
most entirely hidden by bushes and the
remains of an old hedge, spread out the
azure mirror of its limpid waves. Few
people ever went there, for no road passed
there were hundred more picturesque
rides.
One warm July morning this mysteri-
GUS corner was discovered by Prebois and
four or five comrades, who had gone for
ride before luncheon. The heat was op-
pressivea Both the riders and their horses
were worn out, covered with dust and
perspiration. AT sight of the lake there
was shout of joy.
what place for q bathl' cried one.
yes" said another. ''but who will
take care of our horses? There isn't
man or boy in sight.
"Our horsesl'' exclaimed Prebois
"Why, we'll give them bath too. They
need it more than we do.'' And, suiting
the action to the word, he leaped to the
ground. unsaddled Falcon, leaving the
bride on, and mounted again bareback
after having taken off his own clothing
and put it, with the saddle, in the shade
of hazel bush.
His companions had followed his exam
pie, and they all urged their astonished
but obedient animals into the water. If
any one had been passing along the shores
Of the lake at that time, he would have
thought he had come upon band of CEN
taurs frolicking in the water. Never was
seen gayer or more novel bath.
However, it was soon time to return to
the bank and take on, with their uni
forms, less NEUROLOGICAL manners.
Once on the daisy sown greensward,
which was as smooth and soft as Smyrna
rug, Prebois was seized with new idea.
tWho wants to do some vaulting?" he
cried. "Our costume will not be in the
way, and it will be much more fun here
than in the school, . and off he went at a
gallop on the fresh grass. leaping to- the
ground and vaulting back to the horses
back like veritable circus rider. Spell
bound, his companions watched him.
Suddenly Falcon started into a mad
gallop, and they saw the captain tug at
the reins with all his strength, but in
vain. Then horse and rider disappeared
behind the bushes, flying like the wind in
the direction of the city.
What can be the matter with himS'
exclaimed one of the officers where the
devil is he going in that costume?''
He's going to the stable,'' answered
another I'm bet horsetly has got him.
He's in for it, My word, fellows what an
adventure! Quick, let's get our clothes on
and follow himr'
Alas, yes, there was no doubt that the
captain was in for it. His hunter was
carrying him along at a rate Of 30 miles
an hour in the costume of Homeric war
rior. CASTOR was an athlete and had
strong arms. He brought the blood on
Falcons mouth but the reins snapped
like thread. Then Prebois thought his
last hour had come. Falcon had reached
the highway and was going like the wind,
maddened more and more by the horsefy
whose sting vas sinking deeper and deeper.
Already the ramparts of the town
doomed up, their gray mass crowned with
the forbidding mouths of cannon. Twenty
seconds later the animal cleared with
bound the drawbridge without touching
it, sending sprawling the sentinel, who
was getting ready to present his bayonet
for it is against the rules to enter the town
faster than walk. By the time the guard
under arms, had come out Prebois was al
ready on the bridge, followed by all the
dogs of the butchers quarter, the bowling
pack trailing out behind him with fierce
banks and bloodshot eyes.
The bridge passed, he was in the fash
ionable quarter of the city. At the sound
of this Internal chase the tradesmen came
out to the doors of their shops and wom-
en- leaned out of windows, not knowing
what to make of this fantastic group-a
bareback horse, covered with foam, and
human form, perfectly naked, on the ami
mails back, sweeping by with the swift
ness of the tempest.
Finally the mysterious. rider turned into
the Rue de la Cathedrale Hooks like
Falcons and knees like his masters alone
prevented that sharp turn from being the
death of man and horse, but already the
animal. knowing he was near home. was
Stacking his pace, and besides the horse
fly, gorged with blood, was asleep, like
fat monk, over his dinner.
They reached the Saupiquet's gate. The
horse stopped. CASTOR was saved
Or rather he was lost! Behind the curl
ously wrought gate his eyes, fevered by a
terror more horrible than the fear of death,
vaguely made out a rose colored gown and
behind it more massive silhouette
The two women stepped forward curl
ously, but with instructive distrust. For
tunately Hortense was nearsighted- AS
for the unhappy Prebois, what could he
do? To dismount was out of the question.
In such situation horse is in some
sense garment. You remember Adah
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