The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1903-12-24

80 ~ Nlio JOy d1l1h
play of the Wild about my temples In
sptred me with an aiinos equalsexcite
r1ent. Her tremendous bounds wer
taken SC smoothly and easily that tn
motion was delightful in the extreme
Weeks had passed since I had felt he
firm, elastic body playing under me
my hateful mask was thrown aside an
, my weary Dim Saesneg' flung to TIL
winds forever.
It had been a wonderful screen, bl
oh, I can never depict the strain indie
which I lived to make it good. A hun.
dred and a hundred times during th,
past few weeks q swift, chance, un'
thinking command or remark had beer
uttered to me In English, and a hun.
dred times I had been about to obey
or answer, and just caught myself II
the nick of time, my heart in my throat
Twas a labor of Hercules to feigr
ignorance of my native tongue, anG
now the load was removed.
My heart was as light as a feather
as | flew along. Where vas another
horse to match Whitesock and over
take her? Enid, I felt certain, was
safe, now her position was known. ]
dared not trust myself with Sir John,
for a fair trial would hang me as high
as Hannah so long as the law laid down
opposition to the commonwealth army
as treason; but l believed him capable
and willing to prevent harm coming TO
her. I must escape now and hide
somewhere until she could Join me with
the money Roger had in safe keeping.
and then, heyl for la belle France,
where SO many of my friends lay in
exile. All this flashed through my mind
as Whitesock skinned like a swallow
/ down the narrow ride and flew out Into
the ope park,
A shrill halsoo rang In my ears as I
cleared the trees, l looked over my
l. c1Nnt,Gln,~ onI u e. w t,ao- I,.nnS-...-
whom ] had outrun and outridden spur
ring across the grass to cut me off.
They a been beating along the edge
OF the wood, and chance had brought
us to a point closer than I expected or
wished for.
I sat tight down and guided White
sock with my knees. She obeyed as
aonther horse with the rein, and I
turned her toward a corner of the park
where was a gate, the gate which
Roger had used to bring her to the
keepers cottage. It might be unlocked,
and If so I was safe.
This change of direction threw my
pursuers out, and Whitesock swiftlyleft
them behind. Five minutes brought us
to the gate I sought. 1t was locked and
all along the park bounds stood the I'M
broken row OF stout oaken pales, ten
feet high. / had no time to attempt the
forcing or breaking Of the lock, for my
enemies Were too close upon me. I
could only turn Whitesock and send
her sweeping along, skirting the tall
fence, and heading for the main gates,
us l had been shaping a course at first.
Our delay at the sic gate had lost
much Of our lead. but Whitesock be-
gan picking it UP again at once.
Hitherto 1t a been a great delight
to me that Butley Croft had escaped
the rough usages common to Cavalier
houses, but now a little despoilina
would have served my turn to a won.
der, and | had been out in the oper
country and far away instead of gal.
Looping along behind prison bars.
Ny pursuers were Sir John and two
mounted men attending him, too strong
q party for a mar armed only with 6.
quarter-staff to turn upon. Away dart
ed the gallant mare, keeping her tre-
mendous pace as easily as If she We're
ambling on a smooth road, flying by
,copse and dingle, starting the dappled
deer. who fled before her with a
smooth, gliding flight, no .swifter and
lighter than her own.
The water which filled my clothes
streamed down her sides, streaking the
bright satin of her coat with dark
stains and dripping steadily on the
grass. So riding, I came near to the
avenue and saw a single horseman
y "a AlSS ~ A41y ~ a. .
It was Jack Postgate, and he seemed
to be returning from the main gates.
I could only avoid him by deliberately
turning to right or left, and / was not
Inclined to do SO. His pistols had been
recharged, for he drew one and pointed
1t full upon me.
But, az often happens when a man
has two pistols in reserve, he was SO
anxious to get the use Of both that he
wasted the first shot by firing too
soon. He tossed the weapon into the
grass and drew another, but the pro-
digious speed at which Whitesock was
Bearing down upon him was no help
to his nerves, and I felt no fear. I
stopped down to her name as 7 saw his
finger crook on the trigger, and the
ball whistled over me. His drawn
sword was In his left hand and he
changed 1t to the right, but I cared
nothing for his sword.
/ tucked thsAqnarter-staff under my
arm, laid 1t In rest as q man would q
lance, and rode upon him like a cham
pion In an old romance OF chtvalry. I
had not saddle to help me and had to.
trust to my seat and a handful of
Whitesock's name for a purchase.
As we met he attempted by the man
agement OF the spur and rein to turn
his nag aside. and miss my clumsy
spear, aiming for aTslashing cut as /
passed, but. the beast was not quick
enough and the quarter-stan took him
In the shoulder, and trundled him clean,
over the tail of his horse. I laughed
andsrode on, leaving Jack all Of a heap
o the grass.
Continued Next Week.