The Winslow mail., 1897-07-10

lE El4A'1is!lsIR IIl 4 The = N ore inn ras as
lXkSxEEt 1.lsk%%i EsaE Ea.,t F very disagree
~ e.: +: :: e; g: ;::::::: g; s: s:
ia ts+ssAS2N'r~ the dampness
and dirt were insupportable, and
SO decided to push on to Dan
vers. The only vehicle l could pro-
cure was a rafting two-seated gig'
drawn by bony white horse of doubt
full ability; but as my destination was
only three hours away, and l was not
liable to meet any one on the lonely
road, l started off cheerfully enough,
resolved to enjoy my solitary drive to
the utmost.
The moonlight, as it glinted on the
soft green Of the hedges, and streaked
the gray Of the dusty road, was very
beautiful, and before half league had
been passed over | heartily congratu-
lated myself upon my good fortune i'll
escaping the horrible inn at Loudre
After an hours dreamy and delight
full ride | came to a cross roads where
with difficulty l deciphered the batter
ed signpost and learned l must turn
to the left to reach Danvers. So, cluck-
Ing up my deliberate steed, which pro-
ceeded In a half dignified, half protest
ing fashion, l turned into grassy
lane between two tall hedges and drove
through a lonely district until the
dreamy influence Of night overcame
me, and drifted into somnOlent state
midway between sleep and waking.
l was aroused by the sudden halt
Ing of my horse, that gave a fright
ened snort and planted both front feet
firmly before him.
A subdued sobbing, as Of a woman
in distress, fell upon my ears, and lean
ing forward peered into the moonlight
to discover whence 1t came.
A high brick wall ran close to the
roadway, covered with ivy and lichens,
and leaning against an angle of this, a
few steps before me, was slight girl
ish 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, l said, speaking in
French, ''you are in trouble. Can l
assist you in any way?'
She lifted her head, and the moon
light fell upon the most beautiful face
I have ever seen. Absolutely faultless
In feature, it was surmOunted by a
crown of yellow hair that shone like
gold in the glare of the moonbeams,
while pair Of deep violet eyes that
even tears could not dim looked earn
estly into mine.
why are you here?"
81 am Amelie de Boursons, monsieur.
and reside at the chateau just within
these gates"
The soft, musical notes Of her voice
added to the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced
upon my heart.
"But it Is late" 1 continued; "surely
some great misfortune must have be-
fallen you to bring you here at this
hour"
at is true, Monsieur" she replied,
struggling with a new paroxysm Of
grief; tomorrow is my wedding day."
The tone Of despair in which these
words were uttered startled me.
"But is that so terrible an event?" l
asked.
''If you but knew, monsieur" she
said, how vile and brutal is the man
they are forcing me to marry, you
would willingly save me from my hor-
rible fatew
She accompanied these words with
an appealing look into my face, and
then she dropped her head and sobbed
anew.
| did not stop to reason upon the
strangeneSs of all this. l was young,
generous-hearted man In those days,
and could not resist this appeal from
beauty In distress.
But, tell me-" I said. chow can
save you from this distasteful mar
riage? Do you wish to fly? l have a
conveyance close by, and will gladly
escort you to place of safety"
ITO fly would avail me nothing" she
answered with a sweet sadness; "they
would follow us and force me to re-
turn"
"But how else can | save you"
asked, helplessly.
Il do not know" she replied, with a
sudden calmness that suggested de-
spair. "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
for some way to preserve both her life
and happiness.
AT last an idea came to me, but |
trembled at my own presumption as |
suggested it.
"Mademoiselle," l said, haltingly, 81
see but one alternative. You must
marry me-"
The violet eyes opened wide in sur
prise. Marry you, MONSIEUR"
II hen pursuit would be useless. Be-
ing my wife, you would escape this vii
lain who insists upon wedding you. |
am free and able to give you all that
would add to your happiness, and
shall learn to love you very dearly. 1t
4 is true that l am a stranger to you, but
] assure you that am in all ways wOr-