Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-02-18
CHATTER XIV.
a PRISONER or LOVE-

sun prevailed when they were ready "a
hct forth, aud. although IL was not ex.
trcmcly cold, searching chill went
with every throb that marked the
storms waves No lights shonc In the
village houses. Overhead grny gloom
covered stars ana sky. making the
darkness iu the wutcry streets seem
dcu-"iy black. Fnrnswurth offered Al
Ice his nrm but she did not accept IL
Il know the way better than you do. "
she said Come on. aud don't be-
afraid That | AIN going TO run. / shall
not play any trick ON you"
Very we'll mhdemoiselle. as you
Ike trust you
They hastencd along until n lantern
In th' Tort shot hnzy CLEAN upon
them
stop moment. madcmoiselle."
fHrnsworth called. Il say. Miss Rous
sillon. stop n moment. please"
Alice halted and turned. facing him
~ short and 30 suddenly that the napier
In bis hand prickcd through her wrap
and slightly scratched her arm
What do you mean. sirr' She de
m1ndrd. thinking that he had thrust
puToscly DO ! deserve this brutal
ityT'
You mistake me. Miss Roussillon.
cannot De brutal 90 you now. DO not
fear me. only had a word 20 say"
oh. YOU deem II very polite and gen
Tie "a jab mc with your sword. DO YOU
lf ] had one In my hand you would
not darc try such thing. and YOU
know u very we'll"
lie was amazed. not knowing That
the sword point had touched her. lie
could not see her face. but there was
nush in her voice that startled him
with It's indignant contcmp; and resent
mcnt
What arc you saying. Miss Roussll.
luu1 ! don't understand You When
did ever when did jab you with
my Swordl l never thought OF such n
thing"
This moment sir. you did. and you
know you did. My arm Il bleeding
now"
she spoke rapidly In French. but no
caught her meaning and for tho FIRST |
h"cnme aware Of the rapier I'm his |
hand. Even then it, point was toward |
her aud very near her hrrnst lie low |
cr'ed Il instantly while the truth rushed |
into his mind
Forgive me" he murmurod his /
words barely audible I'm the tumult OF |
wind ana rain. but charged with the
lntcns"st feeling
Forgive me. I did not know II was
an accident | could not do such a
thing puposely Relieve me believe
me. Miss Roussillon I did not mean
Il"
Il should Ike 90 believe you" she
presently said. but cannot You
English are oil. all despicable. mean.
yilow
Some time you shall not say that"
Iarnsworth responded II asked you
To stop a moment that I might beg you
10 believe how wrctchedly sorry am
FOR what I am doing But you cannot
understand me now. Are you really
hurt Miss Roussilloni assure you
TINT II was purely accidental"
My hurt Is nothing" she said
Il am very glad
We'll. then, shall We 90 on 20 the
fortT
You may go where you please, ma
dcmuisellc"
She turned her back upon him and
without an answering word walked
straight 20 the lantern that hung 10y
the gate OF the stockndc. where scnti-
mel tramped "a and fro \ few mo-
mcnts later Captain Fnrnsworth pre-
scented her 10 Hamilton. who had been
called from his bed when the news ~ c
the trouble az Roussillon place reached
the fort
so you've been raising trouble again.
have you, missf" he growled. with an
lgly frown dArkening his face.
II beg your pardon" said Farms
worth Miss Roussillon was not TO :
blame for" J
In your eyes she'd not be Co blame. !,
'ir, II she burned up the fort and all Of ;,
rs in H." Hamilton gruflly interrupted.
Miss. what have you been doing7
That are you here for1 Captain Farms J,
worth, you will please state the pnrtic- Il
liars OF the trouble that | have Just NJ,
lcard about And may as well notify -
on that wish 20 hear no special low
RS pleading In this girls behalf"
Fnrnsworth's face whitened with an
GER lie BIT his lip, and a shiver ran =
lSough his frame, but he had 10 con :
luer the passion. In a few words
hunt and direct as musket balls he - =,
old all the circumstances of what had u
AIKEN place, making no conccalments :,
o favor Alice. but boldly blaming the y
hicer OF the patrol, Lieutenant Bar ~
NV, for losing his head and attacking >,
young girl In her own home. =, -
II will hear from Barlow" said -,
hamilton after listening attentively to -
he story. But take this girl and con-
ne her. Show her no favors. l hold -
on responsible for her until tomorrow -,
forming. You can retire" o.
There was no room for discussion. 80
'arnsworth saluted and turned TO
lice. .,