Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-18

esA~SN DcteVt o4uPbSN WAtA Yi@dtuup
than with ideas.
In spite Of his application, Amalri,
could with difflculty keep before hin
the vision Of the two profiles. In theil
place all his misdeeds --hangings with.
out trial, rapine and violence--rost
before him like so many ghosts. The
gibbets which dotted the highways for
leagues around bore witness to his
summary way Of dealing with offend
ers.
But, recently, the sorceress Of La
Blaine had predicted that he would
himself hang On the last gibbet he had
set up on the Ferrieres road, and he
had summarily hung her TO the tree
without any fear of her supernatural
prowess.
He certainly, would not die by hang
ing; he, the brave soldier, whose glance
alone terrorized the mountaineers of
the region. But he was not so sure
that, some fine winters night, during
one Of his frequent expeditions, al
ways for wicked purpose, an am
buscade of outraged peasants would
not leave his lifeless body by the way
side And what a sinister night the
present one was, to be sure; how
thoughtlessly he had allowed himself
to be disarmed by poacher, mere
child at that! A thrill of fear passed |
over him. As he rode around a turn
in the road, the Red Gibbet doomed up
before him.
An exclamation escaped the relster's
lips as he recognized the vagabond of
Luzieres perched on the ghostly tree,
the moonlight rejecting from the shin
ing metal Of the gun he held in his
hands He had not for moment be-
lieved that the boy would keep his
word; the surprise he felt was mingled
with Joy at the thought Of not being
alone In the Icy waste
80 you are h6re!" he exclaimed
"A brute Of peasant back there took
you for thief; you might shoot him .
Tor practice at big game. 1t Is set !
led then. You are to be my page and
he chief arquebusier Of my company. i
Has my musket been Of use to you in n
Ieeping off the wolves?"
mot yet, monseigneur," replied the
10Y, trembling with cold, doubtless. 4
Were there no animals on the o
oad?"
There were many, monseigneur, =,
nth eyes like blazing furnaces. They :,
ollowed me up, without daring to -
ouch me; I walked along singing at T.
he top Of my voice, beating the meas =,
re with the click of the musket." =.
IAN excellent way of keeping the .,
owards at bay; shot would have \,
cen better, however. "
II saved that for something better"
WHAT" VI
"You shall soon see, monseigneur W.
"You must be cold up there on your -
'rch you should have warmed your 81
II up by giving the brutes a taste ~ n.
saltpeter and lead" a.
The boy clambered down, and walked ~
,wly toward the captain. II could ~
It hit the wolf wanted to kill" iui
(which one was it," questioned vs. US
nalric, looking about as II expecting ~.
see glaring eyes, 49,
"A large one that don't want to NV
S." W
A gust of wind cut the captains WI
,e so sharply that he swore great y, We
III and exclaimed: Jump on behind
we will go. will take you with nv 4.
to Ferrieres, since you are hence
tn to be In my service; II leave ple
! here, nothing will be left Of you tra
tomorrow. II the old wolf you ou'
We In mind comes near us, a give iro
permission to kill him at once"
Let him die them" exclaimed the IN
:, taking sudden aim at the cap I'M
a. A sharp report broke the silence one
he night. The reister, struck In the y
rt, fell heavily In the snow. one
he boy then grasped Arsant's turl
lie and fastened 1t securely to a pc
ing root. With granite firmness, he spa
nbed upon the gibbet Leaning out pro
r the gulf, he uncoied a rope which "
! wound around his waist, and tried that
asten 1t to the body hanging there, q
lraw 1t toward him. AS he worked, fires
nurmured "You shall be avenged, skill
ndmother, and you shall be buried kno
consecrated ground. I told THE Al
de this night that you would be like
aged before the dawn" to 8
ut even as he spoke, the body Of the his
nan, so long exposed to cold and exas
m, dropped to pieces, and, falling was
q rock to rock, at last disappeared abor
he tumultuous waters of the Agout. rode
Ist at that moment bell rang out, sure
far away: Its clear music resound- resu
through the still air like a prayer baud
sing Its flight above, Other bronze outs
es replied In the distance, celebrat- An
the nativity which promises to the over
BILE blessings to be realized, and inter
'e wicked chastisement for their in tn
titles. The vagabond, leaning ing
the gulf, made the sign of redemp- cont
then, descending, he went up to woly
body Of the soldier, which was al mour
stif. the |
preaching bowls warned him to yet r
IN with his task. He dragged the from
sc to the gibbet, and, by means of every
p knot, drew II up to the beam turn