The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-05-14

't-hssts3y IL w.t., w. rn Stable. The odol
k'IigSG5I I'M w \'s% saof garlic and
is'|,kN ,y Sapd5. cabbage and
-SA e'''''' the dampness
and dirt were insupportable. and
so decided TO push on to Dan.
vers The only vehicle l could pro.
cure was rattling two-seated gig
drawn by a 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
read, l started off cheerfully enough,
resolved to enjoy my solitary drive to
the utmost.
The moonlight, as it glin,cd on the
soft green of the hedges, and streakad
the gray of the dusty road was very
beautiful, and before half a league had
been passed over l heartily congrat tll-
lated myself upon my good fortune i'll
escaping the horrible inn at Loudrc
After an hours dreamy and delight
ful ride l came to a cross roads where
with difficulty l deciphered the batter
ed SignpoSt and learned | must turn
10 the left to reach DanverS. So. cluck-
Ing up my deliberate steed. which pro-
ceeded in half digni1ied. half protest
ing fashion, turned into a grassy
lane between two tall hedges and drove
through q lonely district until the
dreamy influence of night overcame
me. and drifted into a somnolent state
midway between sleep and waking.
was aroused by the sudden halt
Ing of my horse that gave fright
ened snort and planted both front feet
firmly before him.
A subdued sohbins. as Of & woman
In distress. fell upon my ears and lean
ing forward peered into the moonlight
to discover whence i. came.
\ high brick wall ran close 10 the
roadway, covered With ivy and licnens.
and leaning against an angle Of this. =
few steps before me. was slight girl
iSh form. draped in dark mantle.
Sprang 10 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
l have ever seen. Absolutely faultless
In feature. it was Surnounted by a !
crown Of yellow hair that shone like |
gold in the glare of the moonbeans. |
while 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 here:'
Il am Amelie de Boursons. monsieur.
and reside 1t the chateau just within
these gates
The soft. musical notes of her voice |
added 10 the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced !
upon my heart.
But it is late" l continued: surely
some great misfortune must have be- |
fallen You 10 bring You here at this
hour
1t is true. Monsieur" she replied,
struggling with & new paroxysm of
grief; tomorrow is my wedding day"
The tone of despair i'll which these
words We're uttered startled me.
But is that so terrible an event?" I
asked.
If YOU but knew. monsieur she
said. how vile and brutal is the man
they are forcing NE 10 marry. YOU
would willingly save NE from nv hor-
rihle fate"
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 was a young
man in those davs
and could nor resist this appeal from
beauty in distress.
But. tell me-" l said "how can l
save You from this distasteful mar
riase: Do you wish to fly: have a
conveyance close by, and will gladly
escort You TO a place of safety"
To fly would avail ME nothing" she ,
answered with a sweet sadness; they
would follow Us and force NE 10 re-
turn
But how else can save you;~ I
asked. helplessly.
i do not know she replied. with a
sudden calmness that suggested de-
spair. But unless you can find some ,
way TO succor me l shall take nv own |
ife."
There was no doubt, from the exprcs- s
sion Of her low. earnest voice. that she
meant this. and filled with cons1erna-
ion At the thought. l racked my brain
or some way TO preserve both her life
md happiness
At last an idea came TO me. but I !
at my own presumption as l
suggested it. {
'Mademoiselle." 1 said. haltinely, II
zee but one alternative. You must
marry me- 5
The violet eyes opened wide in sur
,riSe. Marry You. monsieur:" {
Thea pursuit would be useless. Be-
ne my wife. YOU would escape this vii
ain who insists upon wedding You. {
IN free and able 10 give YOU all that l
would add to Your happiness, and 1 s
hall learn to love YOU very dearly. 1t
true that am a stranger to You. but /
assure YOU that am in all ways wor- Y
ny 10 seek both your heart and yonr