Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-04-29


so decided to push on to Dan
vers. The only vehicle | could pro
cure was rattling two-seated gig
drawn by bOny white horse Of doubt.
full ability; but as my destination was
only three hours away. and was not
liable to meet any one on the lonely
road, | started off cheerfuly enough,
resolved to enjoy my solitary drive to
the utmost
The moonlight, as it glin;ed on the
soft green Of the hedges, and streakad
the gray of the dusty road, was very
beautiful, and before half a league bad
been passed over | heartily congratu-
lated myself upon my GOOD fortune IL
escaping the horrible inn at LOudrc
After an hours dreamy and delight
ful ride ! came 10 a cross roads where
with difficulty deciphered the batter
ed signpOst and learned | must turn
to the left to reach Danvers. So, cluck-
ing up my deliberate steed, which pro-
ceeded in half dignitied, half protest
ing fashion, | turned into grassy
iHhN b'Nh'tI lNO ldIl ltllEfS anu uGONt
through lonely district until the
dreamy influence of night overcame
me, and | drifted into somnolcnt state
midway between sleep and waking.
was aroused by the sudden halt
Ing of my horse, that gave Il fright
ened snort and planted both front feet
firmly before him.
A subdued sobbing. us of woman
In distress, fell upon my ears, and lean
Ing forward peered into the moonlight
to discover whence It came.
A high brick wall ran close to the
roadway, covered with ivy and lichens.
and leaning against an angle of this,
few steps before me, was slight girl
tsh FORM draped in dark mantle.
sprang to the ground and softly ap-
preached her. Her face was buried in
her hands and she sobbed bitterly.
"Mademoiselle," | said, speaking in
French, you are in trouble. Can |
assist you in any way?"
She lifted her head. and the moon. |
light fell upon the most beautiful face !
have ever seen Absolutely faultless
In feature, it was SurmOunted hv a
crown Of yellow hair that shone like !
gold in the glare of the moonbeams
Yhile pair Of deep violet eyes that
even tears could not dim looked earn
estly into mine.
'Who are you?" asked gently, "and |
why are you hcre?"
81 am Amelie de BourSons. monsieur
and reside ut the chateau Just within |
these gates"
Inc sort, musical notes of her voice
added to the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced
upon my heart.
But it is late" continued: "surcly
some great misfortune must have bry |
fallen you TO bring you here at this
hour"
1T is true, Monsieur" she replied.
struggling with new paroxysm Of
GrleI; tomorrow is my wedding dny."
The tone of despair in which these
words were uttered startled me
but is that SO terrible an cvent?" |
asked
"lf you hut knew. monsieur" she
said, "how vile and brutal is the man
they are forcing me to marry. Won
would willingly save me from nv hor-
rihlc ratcw
She accompanied these words with
an appealing look into my face, and
then she dropped her head and snbhpd
anew.
| did not stop to reason upon the
strHngeneSs of all this. was Young
generous.hcarted man in those DAYS
ana could not resist this appeal from
beauty in distress.
But, tell me-" | said, chow can I
save you from this diStasterul mar.
rlaGeF DO you wish to fly? | have
conveyance close by, and will gladly
escort you to Il place of safety"
ITO fly would avail me nothing" she
answered with sweet sadness; "tbev
would follow us and force me TO re.
turn"
But how else can save you?" I
asked, hclplessly.
do not Know she replied with n
sudden calmness that suggested de.
sraIr but unless you can find some
way to succor me | shall take my own
life"
There was no doubt, from the express.
sion of her low, earnest voice. that she
meant this, and. filled with consterna-
ton at the thought. l racked my brain
Tor some way to preserve both her life
and happiness.
AT last an idea came to me. but .
trembled at my own presumption as .
suggested 1t.
'Mademoiselle," | said. haltlngly. 81
see but one alternative. You must
marry me-"