Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-21

efleO GreuIau duSTlly, Lupoucnhy'
Tell me where we are going or I'll put
q bullet into you" Drawing his re-
volver, he leaned over, grasped the
guard by the shoulder and placed the
muzzle against his breast
"For Gods sake, be calm! You would
not kill me for obeying orders! l am
serving one you love. Are you mad?
shall scream II you keep pressing that
horrid thing against my side." Lorry
felt him tremble and was at once filled
with compunction. How could he ex-
pect loyal fellow to disobey orders?
II beg your pardon thousand times"
he cried, jamming the pistol into his
pocket. You are brave gentleman,
and l am fool. Take me where you
will. I'll 90 like lamb. You'll admit,
however, that 1t Is exasperating to be
going in the dark like this.
1T is a very good thing that 1t Is
dark" said the soldier quickly. "The
darkness is very kind to US. No one
can see us, and we can see no one."
II should say not haven't the
faintest idea what you look like. Have
I seen you at the CASTER
"Yes, frequently"
"Will you tell me your nameT
"You would not know me by name"
"Are you an officerT
mo. am new to the service"
"Then I'll see that you are promoted.
like your stanchness. How old are
your
81 am-er-twenty-two."
"Of the nobilityT
"My father was Of noble BIRTH"
"Then you must be 80 too. l hope
You'll forgive my rudeness. I'm DIT
nervous, you know"
II forgive you gladly"
"Devilish rough road this"
"Devilish. 1t is q mountain road"
"That's where we were too"
"Where who were"
"Oh, q young lady and I some time
ago. just happened to think OF II"
ut could not have been pleasant.
"You never made bigger mistake
in your life"
"Oh. she must have been pretty,
then"
"You are right this time. She is glo-
rious."
pardon me. They usually are In
such adventures"
"By Jove, you're a clever one"
"Does she live in American
"That's none of your affair"
"Ohw And then there was silence
between them.
"Inouisitive foolw muttered Gren to
himself.
For some time they bumped along
over the rough road, jostling against
each other frequently, both enduring
stoically and silently. Suddenly Lorry
remembered the lantern. 1t was still
lit with the slide closed when he threw
It on the seat. Perhaps 1t still burned
and could relieve the oppressive dark
ness IL but for short time. be
might at least satisfy his curiosity and
look upon the face Of his companion.
Leaning forward, he fumbled among
the traps on the opposite seat.
81 think I'll see II the lantern is
lighted. Let's have 1t little more
cheerful in here" he said. There was
a sharp exclamation, and two vigorous
hands grasped him by the shoulder,
Jerking him back unceremoniously.
mo. no! You will ruin all! There
must be no lightw cried the soldier, his
voice high and shrill.
"But we are out of the city"
81 know! I know! But I will not
permit you to have light Against
orders. We have not passed the out
posts" expostulated the other nervous
ly. -.
"What's the matter with your voiceT'
demanded Lorry, struck by the change
in 1t.
"My voice?" asked the other, the
tones natural again. "Its changing.
Didn't 1t embarrass you when your
voice broke like thatT went on the
questioner breathlessly. Lorry was
now leaning back in the seat, quite q
little mystifed.
"I don't believe mine ever broke like
that" he said speculatively. There
was no response, and he sat silent for
some time, regretting more and more
that II was 80 dark.
| Gradually he became conscious OF q
strange, unaccountable presence In
that dark cab. He could feel change
coming over him. He could not tell
why. but he was sure that some one
else was beside him, some one who was
not the soldier. Something soft and
delicate and sweet came into existence,
permeating the darkness with its un'
deniable presence. A queer power
seemed drawing him toward the other
end Of the seat The most delightful
sensations took possession Of him. His
heart futtered oddly. His head began
to reel under the spell.
"Who are you" he cried In a sort
Of ecstasy. There was no answer. He
remembered his match safe and with
trembling, eager fingers drew 1t from
the pocket Of the coat he was wearing.
The next instant he was scratching q
match, but as 1t fared the body Of his
companion was hurled against his and
a ruthless mouth blew out the feeble
blaze.
"Oh, why do you persistr' was cried
in his ears.
81 am determined to see your face"
he answered sharply, and with low
cry Of dismay the other occupant OF
the carriage fell back ip the corner.
The next match drove away the dark
ness and the mystery. With blinking
eyes he saw the timid soldier budding
in the corner, one arm covering his
face, the other hand vainly striving to
pull the skirt of military coat over
q pair Of red trouser legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted lips and a beardless, dainty
chin; above, long, dark tresses strayed
l