The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-13
CHAPTER Xxi.
,.ypa pFdnAR

a. p,IIvrood rode on, the weather grow
.,I,,, worse and 1t soon became impossible
- 40, more than few yards ahead The night
rs. settlins down thick with falling snow. so
,h,, he could only pull up and listen when
,.Ir, noise. that might have been n womans
.cr.,m came to him through the storm. He
,hou,ei in return. but thore was no answer.
Than out o, the gray curtain a sleigh with two
,,ot1enel horses dashed across his path and
wss "a suddenly lost to sight. Hollywood had
on,y time to see woman clin ging to the driv
a.. e,pr,yseat and clutchng desperately at
the dangling r"Ins
They passad Ike a vsion. noiseless. swift and
Ain, and although Hollywood followed quickly.
ha could not End them. The gloom and the
snow mad ot,.tera'ed al trace ofthe sleigh. and
at last Rallywood himself. we'll as no knew the
country. became Iewildered but luckily the
horse he rode was q charger he had had with
him on the frontier. He left it to choose It's
own direction. vet II was long before n blur OF
MIGHTY which he knew to be the open doorway o:
m. blockhouse grew out on the shifting dark
ness
Within the men OF the patrol were standing
,n,group. taking eagerly. FlInginR himself
from his horse Haywood entered the house
,pst asa young cavalry officer came from the
inner room. and. recognizing Hollywood. ad-
vanced hurr"dly 10 meet him.
81 say who do you think We have in there?"
hs said eIctedIy.
Tell me atterward." Interrupted Hollywood:
"Imet a runaway sleigh"
They we're the horses from the castle" inter-
yupted the young man with nervous laugh
"Mls selpdorf managed to get hold OF the
reips after a bit. otherwise he snapped his
fingers significantly.
Then she-the lady 10 saie?"
Two OF them. my dear frlendl One 10 the
handsomest Gir in Nassau. and the other Ia
Nine de Sagan herself! And. by Jove she's an
Internally pretty woman. too. We're IN luck
Hollywood! Have you come to look for them?"
Hollywood hesitated before he replied.
No thanks must get back to Revonde by
the first train. so | will ride on with the next
patrol to the station Are they hurt2" he nodded
toward the inner room.
No hut how they escaped the deuce only
knows! Nine de sagau was insensibe when
We found them" He dropped his voice. BY
the way. she has been saying some queer
things! She declares the traveller dashed up
the horses and purposely threw himself of the
sleigh when they were on the slope Of the pine
wood Just above the Ingerm precipice. She
Swsars he meant to kill them"
She was frightened. That's ALL
1T was about a certainty they'd be dashed
topeces And look here" the young fellow
looked oddly at Hollywood. she limited that
the count"
"Nonsense!" Rallywood forced laugh.
"she was badly frightened I tell you"
IN take my oath there's something in 1t.
though, She refuses to let US take her back to
the castle tonight"
What have you given them-tea or any
thing"
" Faith. no! made them each take nip Of
tea made now il you think they would like it,
of course. 1t will give them something to
do By the way, you might we'll ask them IL
they would see me"
On second thoughts and in view OF the coun-
tess's refusal to go back to Sagan. he felt he
must offer his assistance.
Yes ash them If they will see me now" he
continued, looking at his watch; Il have not
much time to spare"
The next moment Isolde's high. sweet voice
could be heard distinctly through the open
door
Capt Rallywood. Pray tell him we should
like to see him
Nine, de Sacan was lying on narrow camp
ped supported by wraps and pillows. a brilliant
red SPOT on each check. and her eyes darker
than ordinary under the influence OF the alter
nate fright and stimulation OF the last two
hours She waited Ill the door was shut. then
abe put out both hands to Hollywood.
lhank heaven, We are safe, and together
again. Jack Come here! l want TO know that
you are alive and this is not all a Dream" she
began impuIs!veIy, yet behind the impulse lay
calculated design. She owed her life to
'aeries courage. but that weighed as nothing
IN comparison with the knowledge that In some
indefinite manner The girl stood between Rally
wood and herself. that hollywood for some
hal MI L., I'D
Haywood bowed. still standing by the door.
lhank heaven you are safe. madame. he
SAID saw you somewhere this side OF tho
pine woods, but lost you in the mist"
y. l did not you! | saw nothing after
that murderer leaped off. l had q horrible in
Naht during which l imagined myself swing
ing between tho gorge and tho sky-atter that
Knew no more" exclaimed Isolde. sort OF
eompIacency mixing with her agitation" They
te" me thai Valerie was very bravo and that
she saved our Ives but for mo those heroisms
are impoSsiblem
She glanced at Rallywood. secure In his np-
pFo'al' out no Ind turned to Valerie, who was
stung IN low wooden chair by the stove with
her back to III" room.
II was magnificent. madomoisele" he ex-
claimed
Valerie shivered
They" VISA nothing ut all magnificent about
H. she sad coldly. 'SeIf-preservation drives
one To d. what ono can; It is only by chance
thet one happens TO do the right thing"
Isolde shrugged her shoulders md made q
Ht,e Grima"" at lakewood.
10 not need ncr Jack. People arc always
very Pleased with themselves for doing what
other people ca magnificent. Valerie is cross
rake TINS chair 10y me. have very serious
Quarrc! with YOU"
IAN the error and peril OF that dreadful ride
hsd passed from Nine. de Sagan's facilo mind
no Ittc rl"ar.rs AMI coIuetries OF everyday
lille occupied her as fully as II hor lot containeI
no tr"uh!oGs outlook. In this conjunction
vanity viii often do FOR woman whit worl;
does 'or man. As for Isolde. the small
prr'u;'Irss %. n wo@nicl yanity AT once all
Borh"l hor.
Very unwi,lingy Hollywood o:sycI. Be-
tween these na:raN WIS ono was within hand
reach OF evcYfhiEg in the room. so that. al
though he was beside the countess. he was mol