Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-05-08

HvSS3 MI WI NtT 'Hof garlic anu
C.XEt IN VI yaala cabbage and
'.SG Gsa~SN*" the dampncss
and dirt were insupportable. and
- I decided to push on to Dan
vers. The only vehicle I could pro;
cure was rafting two-scnted gig.
drawn by bony white horse ~ doubt
full ability; but as my destination was
only three hours away. and ! was not
liable TO meet any one OH III" lonely
road, I started off chcerfully enough.
resolved TO enjoy my solitary drive to
the utmost.
The moonlight. AZ It g'!n;cd On the
soft green Of the hedges. and strcaknd
the gray of the dus'y road. was very
beautiful. and before half n league had
been passed over heartily con!rat,,-
lated myself upon my good fortune ia
sScaping the horrible inn at I.ot,lrc
After an hours dreamy and delight.
ful ride came TO a cross roads where
with difficulty I dcciphered the batter.
Cd sicnpost and learned must turn
30 the left to reach Danvcrs SO. cluck.
Ing up my deliberate stccd. which pro.
eeedcd in half dignliied. half protest.
Ing fashion. turned into a grassy
lane between two tall hedges and drove
through a lonely district until the
dreamy influence Of night ovcrcame
me. AMI driftcd into a somnolent state
midway between sleep and waking.
was aroused by the sudden halt.
ing Of my horse. that gave a fright.
Snsd snort and planted both front feet
ormly before him.
A subducd sobb!ng. as Of q woman
IN distress. fell upon my ears. and lean.
ing forward pcercd into the moonlight
70 discover whence 1t came.
4 high brick wall ran close to tho
roadway. covered with Ivy and llchens,
and leaning against an angle Of this. a
few steps before me. was slight girl.
lsh form. draped In a dark mantle.
sprang to the ground and softly ap-
proached her. Her face was buried 10
Der hands ana she sobbcd bitterly.
"MademoIselle." I said. speaking iu
French, you are In trouble. Can I
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, Il was surmounted by
crown Of yellow hair that shone like
gold In the glare Of the moonbeams,
while o pair Of deep violet eyes that
even tears could not dim looked earn.
Sotly into mine.
"Who are your" I asked gently, "and
why are you here?"
~ am AmelIe dc Boursons. monsieur,
and reside ut the chateau just within
these catcs."
The soft. musical notes OF her voice
added TO the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced
upon my heart.
"IIut II Is late" I continued: "surcly
some great misfortune must have he.
fallen you to bring you here ut this
hour"
ut Ia true. Monsieur" she replied.
struggling with new paroXysm Of
grief; tomorrow Is my wedding day"
The .onc of despair In which these
words were uttered startled me.
"But Is that 80 terrible an event?"
asked.
"It you but knew. monsieur" she
Said, "how vile and brutal Ii the man
they are forcing me to marry, you
would willingly save me from my hor.
sible fate!'
She accompanied these words with
an appealing look into my face, mud
then she dropped her head and sobbed
anew.
did not stop to reason upon the
strangeness Of all this. was a young,
generous.hearted man In those days
and could not resist this appeal from
beauty In distress.
"But, tell me-" said. 'how can l
save you from this dIstastcful mar.
riage? Do you wish to ny? I have a
conveyance close by, and will gladly
escort you to place OF safety"
ITO fly would avail pe nothing" she
answered with a sweet sadness; "thcy
would follow us aud force mo to re-
turn"
"Rut how else can ! save youY
asked. hclplessly.
II do not know" she replied. with q
sudden calmness that suggested de-
spalr. But unless you can tind some
way to succor me shall take my owl
life"
There was no doubt. from the expires
sion of her low, earnest voice, that SHE
meant this, and, filed with consterna
ton ut the thought. l racked my brair
for some way to preserve both her lif'
and happiness.
At last an Idea came to me, but
tremblcd at my own presumption as
suggested It.
"MademOiselle," I said, haltlngly. 81
see but one alternative. You mus
marry me-"
TIE violet eyes opened wide In sur
prise. "Aiarry you. MONSIEUR"
"Ihcn 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 tina
would add to your happiness, and
shall learn to love you very dearly. !
10 true that am a stranger to yOu, bn
assure you that am In all ways wOr
thy to seek both your heart aud you
hand"
She gaxed with earnestness into m,
face for q moment. and then replle'
slowly:
n think shall trust you, monsieur
Indeed. I cannot help myself. I will b
your wife,"
There was no coyness In her answer
no blush tinted the pale. beautiful face