The San Francisco call., 1904-08-21

or hostility. That they would, II Jney
could, carry him to Cadi. there to
answer his enemies in the city, he
never doubted; and it flashed upon him
that he must outwit them at any cost,
even at the cost, as it would appear. OF
cowardice and flight This was in his
mind when he commanded Esther to
lock her door. If he could but reach
the guard at the post upon the sum
init of the pass. this bandits crew
would get short shrift and the rest
would be easy. Thus it came about
that, rislIing all upon su-
preme venture. he fled from the
house TO the stables. and brid-
hnS the first horse he found
tnere ne ieaped upon his back and set
Illih at gallop for the station en- the
heights. Such a cOunterstrOke was
not within the calculations of AIOnzO
ana MS Fellows They had posted a
man at the stable gate. it is true; but
slash OF the whip across his face
sent him flying from his saddle and
before he could recover himself
Arthur was hundred yards up the
pass, and. reused by the outcry. his
enemies raced after him in hot pur-
suit.
An inexpressible tenderness toward
little Esther was the first inspiration
Of this wild ride. Since first he saw
her in London. nearly seven months
ago, Arthur had found her different
from all other women; had been aware
OF a mutual sympathy which waxed
strong with the days and had cul-
minated IN complete abandonment to
the impulses of a passionate affec-
ton. If he had wronged her.
love must plead for him. At the
worst, he thought, Cadi could refuse
to recognize his marriage and leave
him his liberty. They would be exiles
together, caring nothing for that
which they had lost. This reality OF a
mOmentous night brought home to
him in an instant the deeper respon-
sibilities he had ignored. He began to
perceive that he was face to face with
an ambitious and relentless enemy.
with one who could stand at nothing
which opposed his ambitions and his
ends. Arthur knew that he himself
possessed none of those gifts which
make the subtle statesman or the sue
cessful diplomatist. He had only a
mans good courage. a birthright to
the affection of his people; but these,
he said, might yet suffice. A certain
joy Of that antagOnism filed him as
he galloped wildly up the pass. He
knew that a woman had reused him TO
effort at last. The old Indifferent life
was done with; he would remember
his manhood for Esther's sake.
We have said that a number OF the
hillmen followed him upon the pass;
but of these several quickly abandoned
Il
to be got to their more courageous fell
lows. The perils of the road might.
indeed, have deferred men of sterner
courage. for it was often but a bride
track above the gOrges, a ribbon wind
ing about the higher peaks. One STUN
bic upon the snow, one false step, and a
man would have gone headlOng down
five thousand feet to an unknown
grave in the black abyss below.
Arthur, a horseman from his very
childhood. cared nothing for the dan-l
ger. The snow flying from his horses
hOofs, the black shadows, the cries be-
hind him, braced his nerve as TO some
combat of which the prize was liberty.
YOnder high uD above this world or
silence and the night. there flashed the
lights of that station which was
e
said. and Francisco Xavier were an
swered indeed. He called to his good
horse and laughed at the sounds be-
hind him. And yet they were draw
ing nearer-that thud OF hOOfs was
more clearly to be heard; the race
was not won. 1t had scarcely begun.
He had taken a horse at hazard
from the stable, ignorant that the
81 s-r, -
drawn the carriage from Folk that
day. Already overdriven. the rigors
Of this road left it so utterly exhaust
ed that it's brave gallop degenerated
anon into a mere cantsr and ultimate
ly was little beyond a trot. This
alarming truth came to the rider sud
denly at the very moment when he
was flushed with success. and drawing
rein because he must, he began TO
think that the game was with old
Xavier after all There below on the
winding road the first Of his pursu-
ers emerged from the shadows Ar
thur knew not how many followed
him from the castle; but he perceived
that flight would help him no longer.
and saying that he would sell his life
dearly, he permitted his horse to walk
and so waited for the men.
This relaxation OF effort brought
with it a clear understanding OF his
position and a darker side TO a mental
picture from which he could not turn.
His quick survey Of height and gorge
failed to inspire him with an idea
Upon his left hand the rocks went up
sheer to their snowy peaks in the
azure above. No eye could find the
bed of the gorge below him. The
winding road shut out that fash OF
the stations lights which so cheered
him five minutes ago. He believed :
that the end must be here and wheel
ing his horse regardless Of the peril.
he prepared 10 meet it. 1t was mo-
ment Of intense suspense, for he was
an unaTmed man and he believed that
many followed him from the house.
An intent ear magnifying the echoes,
said that numbers trOd the path. He