Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-29

s'ashcd 1t cruelty across thc noStrils.
cerned before mo a dark, solitary tower,
the tower seemingly of n church, for it
was topped by stumpy spire, which day
light would probably have shown to he of
wood.
There was little dry ground round
the church, mere patch in n sea of wa
ter, but my horse rang its hoots on 1t with
every sign OF joy and archcd its neck rs it
trottcd up to the reichEorhood of the
church, whinnying with pleasure. From
tho back of the building, l was not sur
prisad, came an answering neigh. As
pulled up q man, his weapon in his hand,
came from tho porch, and woman fol
lowed him. / called to them gayly. Il
fancicd you would he here tho moment
saw the churchl'' said, sliding to the
ground.
Thank heaven you ara safe!'' the duch-
ess answered. and to my establishment she
flung he: arms round my neck and kissed
! me. What hes happcnod." she asked,
looking in my eyes, her own full of tcars.
Il think l have stopped them, an
swered, turning suddenly shy, though,
boylikc, had boon longing few minutes
before to talk of my victory. ''They tried
to cross, and''--
had not shcathed my sword. Master
BERTHE caught my wrist, and lifting the
| blade locked at it. so, so!'' he said nod
ding. Are you hurt!'
Not touchcdn I answered Before
more was said he compelled his wife to 20
| back into tho porch. Tho wind blew keen
| " across the open ground, and we were
| all wet and shivcring. When we had tcs-
| tened up the horses, VIC followed her. This
| door of the church was locked, it seemed,
| and the porch afforded the best shelter TO
| DO had. Its upper part was of open wood
| work and freely admitted the wind, but
wide caves projected over these openings
| and over the door, SO that Mt least it was
dry within. By budding together on the
| floor against the windward side we got
| some protection. hastily told what had
happened.
$50 Clarence is gonc!' Ny lady's voice
as she said the words tremblcd, but not in
sorrow or pity, rs I judgetl-rather in re-
lief. Her dread and hatred of the man
were strange and terrible, and so seemed
to me then. Afterward l learned that
something had passed between them which
mado almost natural such feelings on her
part and made natural also a bitter resent
ment on his. But Of that no moro. You
arc quite sure" she said, pressing me
anxiously for confirmation, that it was
he!''
"Ycs, but an not suro that he is
dead" explained.
You seem to bear charmed life your
SELF" she said.
"Hushr' cried her husband quickly.
do not say that to the lad. 1t is un.
lucky. But do you think" he continued
| tho porch was in darkness, and we could
i scarcely make out one auothcr's faces
that there is any further chance Of pur
suit.''
Not by that party tonight" 1 said
grimly. Nor think tomorrow.
Good" he answered, for I can see
nothing but water ahead, and it would b.
madness to go Oh 10y night without q
guide. We must stay here until morning
whatever the risk. - -'-~'.-.
He spoke sloomily, and with reason
Our position was a miserable, almost Q
desperate one, even on tho superstition
that pursuit had ceased. We had lost al
cur baggage, food, wraps. We had M
guides, and we were in the midst of 9
flooded country, with two tender women
and baby, our only shelter the porch Of
Gods house. Mistress Ammo, who wa.
crouching in the darkest corner next thu
church, seemed to have collapsed entirely
I remembered afterwa-d that did moi
once hear her speak that night The Ouch
ess tried to maintain our spirits and he
own, but in the face of cold, damp ant
hunger she could do little. Master Berti,
and took 1t by turns to Keep a kind O
watch, but by mcrning-it was lons
night and a bitter one-we were worr
out and slept despite our misery. w,
should have been surprised and captured
without Il blow if the enemy had com,
} upon US then.
l awoke with a start to find the gra,
! light Of a raw, misty morning falling up
on and showing up our wretched group
Tho duchess head was hidden in he
CLOAK, her husbands had sunk on hi
breast, but Mistress Anne-I looked n
her and shuddered. Had she sat so al
rigbt-sat staring with that stony fac
Of pain and those fearless eyes on tn
moonlight, on the darkness which hat
been before the darwin, on the cold frs
rays Of morning. Stared on all alike an,
! seen none! shuddercd and peercd at her
J ! alarmed. doubtful wondering. asking