Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-10-29

Your request does us infinite honor"
replied the proprietress of the summer
house. Il must take time to think about
it and talk 1t over with NJ de Saupiquet.
I am afraid that he will think her too
young to be married this year"
La Jarrie lost standing. Salutations to
him became distant. His hand was shaken
languidly Some said he had asked the
government, in whose service he was, for
a 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 a miracle
Some two miles from La Roche on an
uncultivated plateau deliciously cooled by
the eastern breeze a 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
near it, and in that undulating country
there were o hundred more picturesque
rides.
One warm July morning this mysteri-
ous corner was discovered by Prebois and
four or five comrades, who had gone for q
ride before luncheon. The heat was op-
pressive. 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 BATH" cried one
YES said another, but who will
take care of our horses? There isn't a
man or boy in sight"
"Our horses!" 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 a 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 rs smooth and soft as Smyrna
rug, Prebois was seized with new idea
"Who wants to do some vaulting?" he
cried. .tOur 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 horse s
back like veritablc circus rider. Spell
bound, his companions watched him.
Suddenly Falcon started into a mad
gallop, and they saw the captain tug at
the rcins 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?'
'tHc's going to the stable, answered
another III bet horsefy 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 rate of 30 miles
an hour in the costume of Homeric war
rior. CASTOR was an athlete and had
SlTOIlS lIlllS. Ilc Dlous-bu 'ho biCVN va
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
maddeaed more and more by the horsefly
whose sting was sinking deeper and deeper.
Already the ramparts of the town
loomed up, their gray mass crowned with
the forbidding mouths of cannon. Twenty
seconds later the animal cleared with a
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 a 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 ont behind him with fierce
barks 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 a
human form, perfectly naked, on the ami
malls back, sweeping by with the swift
ness of the tempest.
Finally the mysterious rider turned into
the Rue dc 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 homo, 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 rose colored gown and
behind it a more massive silhouette.
The two women stepped forward curl
ously, but with instructive distrust. For
tunately Hortonse was nearsighted. AS
for the unhappy Prebois, what could he
do? To dismount was out of the question
In such a situation horse is in some
sense a garment You remember Adah
Menken in the role of Mazeppa. Despair
drove the captain to desperate measures,
Behind him a crowd was already forming.
Astonishment began to give way to indig-
nation. In the back of the garden he saw
his orderly polishing some harness.
"Moreau!" shouted the officer in voice
that sounded scarcely human.
Nine de Saupiquet fled, dragging her
daughter after her. The orderly came run
IL - N,r.r