Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-24
WYNN s'ervaas ~ saAsr WIN Hsea

man with whom her fate seemed bound
up had Just crossed our lives when their
own were at the darkest. They FLASHED
with us, and, strangers and boys as we
were, we ruined them. l have often
asked myself what would have hap
pened to me had met her at some ear
ler and less stormy period-in the
briliance Of her beauty. And l find but
one answer. should bitterly have rued
the day. Providence was good to me.
Such men and such women, we may be-
lieve, have ceased to exist now. They
Aourished in those miserable days Of
war and divisions, and passed away
with them like the foul night-birds
of the battlefield.
To return to our journey. In the
morning sunshine one could not but be
cheerful, and think good things posi-
Bile. The worst trial | had came with
each sunset. For then--we generally
rode late into the evening - Louis
sought my side to talk to me OF his
sweetheart. And how he would talk
of her! How many thousand messages
he gave me for her! How often he re-
called old days among the hills, with
each laugh and jest and incident, when
we five had been as children Until |
would wonder passionately, the tears
running down my face in the darkness,
how he could-how he could talk Of her
in that quiet voice which betrayed no
rebellion against fate, no cursing Of
providence! How he could plan for her
and think Of her when she should be
alone!
Now | understand it. lie was still
laboring under the shock OF his friends
murder. He was still partially stunned.
Death seemed natural and famil.
lar to him, as to one who had
seen his allies and companions
perish without warning or prep
aration. Death had come to be normal
10 him, life the exception; as | have
known 1t seem to child brought face
TO face with corpse for the first time.
One afternoon a strange thing hap
pened. We could see the Auvergne
hills at no great distance on our left
the Puy de Dome above them-and
we four were riding together. We
had fallen--an unusual thing--to the
rear Of the party. Our road at the mo-
nent was mere track running across
sprinkled here and there
with gorse and brushwood. The main
company had struggled on out of sight.
There were but half a dozen riders
o be seen an eighth of league before
Is, couple almost as far behind. I
ooked every way with a sudden surg
ng of the heart. For the first time
he possibility Of fight occurred to me.
The rough Auvergne hills were within
each. Surprising we could get lead
If quarter of league, we could hard
Y be caught before darkness came and
covered us. Why should we not put
purs to our horses and ride off?
'lmpossible!" said pavannes quietly,
When I spoke.
"Why?" asked with warmth.
First" he replied. "because have
riven my word to 60 with the vidame
o Cahors."
My face flushed hotly. But
cried, what of that? You were taken
ny treachery! Your safe conduct was
lisregarded. Why should you be scru-
Dulous? Your enemies are not. This is
'olly!'
81 think not. Nay" Louis answered,
shaking his head, you would not do
/ yourself in my place"
Il think should" staInmered awk-
wardly.
NO, you would not, Ind" he said,
smiling. II know you too well. But if
would do ii, it is impossible" He
turned in the saddle, and, shading his
yes with his hand from the level rays
If the sun, looked back intently. ut
S as | thought" he continued. Zone
If those men is riding Gray Margot,
which Bure said yesterday was the
'astest mare in the troop. And the man
m her is light weight. The other
fellow has that Norman bay horse we
we're looking ut this morning. 1t is a
rap laid by Beers, Anne. five turned
aside dozen yards those two would be
litter us like the wind"
do yon mean," ! cried, "that Beers
has drawn his men forward on pur-
pose?"
Precisely" was Louis answer.
That is the fact. Nothing would
please him better than to take my
honor first and my life afterwards.
But, thank God, only the one is in his
,ower,"
And when came to look at the horse.
men, Immediately before us, they con
irmed Louis view. They were the