The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-17

less little lady had draw back a pace ant
was giving the villain his answer.
Il am glad to know you now for what
you are, Captain Falconnet," she said
ooldly. And then: You can take me will
you, II you choose. having the brut,
strength to make good SO much OF you
threat. But that Is all. You cannot TAX,
for yourself hat I ave given to an
other"
Cannot, you say?" He clapped his ha'
on smartly and whistled for his horse hold
er: and when the man WAS gone I, fetct
the mounts for the women he finished oul
the sentence. 'Listen you. in your turn
Mistress Spitfire. I shall take what 1 list
and before you see your fathers house
again you'll beg me on your knees, as other
women have. to. marry you for very
shame's sake!"
1t was then that Uncanoola did the skill.
fullest bit of jugglery it has ever been my
lot to witness. Posturiug like one Of those
old Grecian discus throwers, he sent his
scalping knife handle forward to glide
snakelike through the grasr, to stop at
Margery's feet. Though 1 think she knew
not how II got there, she saw it. and the
courage Of the sight helped her to say,
quickly:
When 1t comes to that, sir. 1 shall know
how to keep faith with honor"
His laugh was the harshest mockery of
mirth. You will keep faith with me, dear
lady; do you hear? Otherwise"
He turned to take the black mare from
his mare. At this my brave one set her
foot upon the weapon in the grass.
Il have no faith to keep with you. Cap
tain Fa.connet," she said.
He struck back viciously. "Then, by
heaven. you'd best make tho occasion.
~ mas happened. ere this. that a lady
as dainty as you are has become a
playthinE for an Indian camp. 1t lies with
me to save you from that. my mistress"
She stopped to gather her skirts for
mounting, and in the act secured and hid
the knife. So her answer had in It the
fine steadfastness OF one who may make
desperate terms with death for honor's
sake.
7 thank you for the warning. Captain
~Falconnet." she said. facing him bravely
to the last. When the time comes, may
nap the dear God will give me leave to
die as my mothers daughter should
Bah" said he: and with that he whistled
Tor his troopers; and while we looked, my
dear lady and her tirewoman were helped
upon their horses, and at the leaders word
OF command the escort formed upon the
captiVes as q center. A moment later the
little glade. with the smoldering embers
OF the lodge fire to prick out its limits In
dusky red, was empty, and on the mid
night stiffness Of the forest the minishing
hoofbeats of tho horses came fainter and
fainter till the distance swallowed them.
Then It was that my poor lad, famine
mad and frenxisd, rose up to curse me Bit
terly.
Nov may all the devils In he'll drag you
down to everlasting torrents. John Ireton.
for your cold-hearted caution that made
Us lose when we had good hope to winI"
he cried. Zone little hour I begged for.
and that hour had fought her battle and
set her free. Btu now
He broke of in the midst, choking with
what miserable despair I knew, and shared
- well: n throwing himself down i'm the
wet grass. he would exc out the bitter
words with such rawlings and sobbings as
bubble UP In sheer abandonment Of race
and misery.