News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-12-04


refinement i'm her movements. and now
It was her purpose to attract without
exciting her spectators. Stimulated by
frequent bursts of applause and by
the rapt attention of the men surround
ing her, she found her main incentive
in far deeper. nobler motive, feeling,
as she did. the critical situation, the
dread responsibility, for human life
resting upon her,
What a singular scene! The ring of
ugly faces mOmentarily softened by
the sight of grace and beauty; the cap
tain. his sharp face turning with the
dancer and following her wherever she
goes; Pete Halliday, standing with
folded arms. lowering from under the
broad brim of his sombrero, grinding
his Quid; Ginger's black face cleaning
with pride at furnishing the music for
his young mistress. inspiring her with
his own inspired melody; little Buck.
standing between two lank guerrillas
in "butternut." staring at his cousin
and forgetful of her danger in his inter.
est In her work; Helen Stanforth,
standing apart, her strong face wear
ing the expression of a general who
watches a cavalry charge intended to
turn position on which hangs the fate
of the day.
The guerrillas, not one of whom
would hesitate to slit a throat at the
slightest prospect Of gain. were watch
ing the little soubrette not only with
admiration, but with respect. Once
during her performance one of the men
applauded with a ribald remark. He
was standing by the captain, who
stretched his arm, brought 1t down
with a backward stroke and sent the
man sprawling. Jaqueline saw the
act and the approving looks Of the out
laws, who were In no mood to have
their sport interrupted. The color left
her cheeks. but she kept right on, and
tho episode passed without further con-
sequences.
At a moment when the attention of
the men had become riveted upon the
dancer Helen, who had been gradually
working her way from the group to-
ward me, came and sat down on the
log behind Ginger. where she was par
TALLY screened by him. Watching her
opportunity, she deftly took a revolver
from her pocket and concealed it in
the folds of her dress. With her eyes
fixed upon the group about Jack, she
waited for a burst of applause, and
when 1t came, reaching back, she drop
ped the weapon behind the log at my
feet; then. rising. rejoined the circle. |
pushed the revolver under the log with
the toe of my boot, then kicked dust
and leaves over it. This accomplished,
/ breathed the most comfortable sigh
of relief | have ever drawn in my life.
The whole situation seemed changed
by that little dust covered combination
Of bits of metal. STOPPING, | slipped it
into the leg of my boot and felt that
half the battle was won.
At that moment the setting sun came
out from behind a cloud and shot
| lances of light through the trees cover
ing the group--the beautiful and the
ugly, the good and the bad. the refined
and the vulgar--with gilded splpndor
] saw but Jaqueline The usual titful
ness of her disposition, her natural ex-
preston of care , Indifference had
given place to a zrious intensity de-
noting a great purpose. Poising|herself
between two movements, the gliding
rays shone on her forehead Then dart
ing on her toes to another part of the
ring, a quick succession of lights and
shades passed over her brow, a glitter
| ing diadem of sun flashes. Truly God
is a wonderful artist. since he can
touch even a dance with celestial pu-
rity.
Helen Stanforth turned to me. Pull
ing her sunbOnnet forward so as to
conceal her face from the others,
though they We're too intent on Jaque,
line to notice her, she moved her lips,
and though no sound came knew she
intended the word:
Cor
Near me was a tree, not far from
that another, underbrush, bushes-just
the cover through which to make a re.
treat. l could easily get down behind
the log, crawl into the thicket and
away. Now for the first time the pur.
pose of dear Jaqueline was fully ap.
parent.
But how could / leave these friends
who had risked so much, accomplished
so much, for me? l stood still and
shook my head.
Again Helen looked an order for me
to go.
"Not without the Others" l whis.
pered.
Sitting down on the log so as to he
nearer to me, she replied in a low
voice:
1--WE will leave here when you are
safely away. She will dance on to keeI
them from knowing you have gone. We
have planned it So"
"They will know you connived at my
escape and murder you"
"Why should they? Go at once, or
shall consider you an migrate"
She looked so anxious, they had al
made such a noble effort in my behalf
that could not find 1t in my heart tC
disappoint them.
slipped behind the tree, dropped tC
the ground and wriggled like a snake
through the underbrush; then. rising
darted away.
|