Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-08-05

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Az : L. Frank
! WEDDING q
+: RING o2 E, sssas i Bs,; ,ss :
/" HE inn at Loudre was very dis
agreeable. The odor of garlic
and cabbage and the dampness
and dirt were unsupportable, J
and SO decided to push on to Dan
vers. The only vehicle could procure
was rattltng two seated Gig drawn
by a bony white horse Of doubtful abil,
ity, but rs my destination was only
three hours away and was not liable
to meet any one on the lonely road I
started Off cheerfully enough, resolved
to enjoy my solitary drive to the ut
most
The moonlight as 1t glinted on the
soft green Of the hedges and streaked
the gray of the dusty road was very,
beautiful, and before half n league had
been passed over l heartily congratu-
lated myself upon my good fortune in
escaping the horrible inn at Loudre.
After an hours dreamy and delight
full ride came to q crossroads where
with difficulty deciphered the bat
tered signpost and learned must turn
to the left to reach Danvers. So, cluck-
ing up my deliberate steed, who pro-
ceeded in half dignified, half protest
ing fashion, turned into a grassy lane
between two tall hedges and drove
through lonely district until the
dreamy influence Of the night over
came. me and drifted into somno-
lent state midway between sleep and
waking.
was aroused by the sudden hating
Of my horse, WHO gave frightened
SNORT and planted both front feet frm-
" before him.
A subdued sobbing, as Of a woman in
distress, fell upon my cars, and, lean
ing forward, peered into the noon
light to discover whence It came
A high brick wall ran close to the
roadway, covered with Ivy and lichens.
and leaning against an angle Of this,
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 sobbcd bitterly.
"Mademoiselle," l said, speaking in
French, you IRE in trouble. Can as
sist you in any wayl'
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 q pair of deep violet eyes that
even tears could not dim looked ear
nestly into mine.
who are you7" asked gently, land
why are you hereT'
II am Amelie de Boursons, monsieur,
and reside at the chateau just within
these gates"
i AAC 5O1tt AOlCS VI LIZA WIN
added to the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced
upon my heart.
"But it is late" / continued. Surely
/ some great misfortune must have be-
fallen you to bring you here at this
hour"
sit is true, monsieur" she replied,
struggling with new paroxysm Of
grief. Tomorrow is my wedding day"
But L that that 50 an event7"
asked. s.1s.e -
"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 fate"
She accompanied these words with
an appealing look into my face, and
then she dropped her head and sobbed
anew.
strangeness Of all this. was young,
generous hearted man in those days
and could not resist this appeal from
beauty in distress.
"But tell me-" said, "how can save
you from this distasteful marriage? Dc
you wish to fly? have a conveyance
close by and will gladly escort you to q
place of safety"
'To fly would avail me nothing she
answered, with sweet sadness "They
would follow US and force me to re
turn
But how else can save your
asked helplessly.
II do not know" she replied, with Q
sudden calmness that suggested despair
"but unless you can find some way tt
succor me shall take my own life"
There was no doubt from the ex
preston Of her low, earnest voice that
she meant this, and, filled with con
sternation ut the thought, l racked my
brains for some way to preserve both
her life and happiness
At last an idea came to me, but
trembled at my own presumption Us
suggestedit.
"Mademoisella" said haltingly, y
see but one alternative You mus,
marry ma"
The violet eyes opened wide in sur
prise. Marry you, MONSIEUR"
'.Then 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. I,
Is true that am stranger to you, but
I assure you am in all ways worthy
to seek both your heart and you
hand"
| She gazed with earnest intentness
into my face for a moment and Their
replied slowly:
| II think shall trust you, monsieur
Indeed, cannot help myself will
BIO your wife"
| There was no coyness In her answer
no blush tinted the pale, beautiful face
but she drew herself up with an air Of
simple dignity TINT commanded my re