The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-02-10

otherwise he maze no display or Ieei-
ing. He glanced out upon the many
faces below them, bowling to one WON
an and smiling at another
"Oh, | couldn't stand winter in the
north" resumed the PATRON, turning
once more to the soldier. although
the barn burners promised to make it
warm for me?'
Offering no reply to this sally, Saint
Prosper's gaze continued to rest cold
ly and expectantly upon the other.
Goaded by that arbitrary regard. an
implied barrier between him and the
young girl. the land baron sought to
press forward. His glittering eyes met
the others. The glances they ex-
changed were like the thrust and parry
Of swords. Without wishing to ad-
dress the actress, and thereby risk a
public rebuff, 1t was nevertheless i'm
possible for the hot blooded southern
er to submit to peremptory restraint
Who had made the soldier his task
master? He read -Prosper's pur-
pose and was not slow to retaliate.
IF / am not mistaken, yonder is our
divinity of the lane" said the PATRON
softly. Permit me-" And he strove
to pass.
The soldier did not move.
"You are blocking my way. mon
sieur," continued the other sharply.
mot If it lies the other way"
"This way or that way, how does it
concern your" retorted the land baron.
"If you seek further to annoy lady
whom you have already sufficiently
wronged it is any mans concern"
Especially If he has followed her
across the country" sneered Mauville.
Besides, since when have actresses
become so chary Of their favors" In
his anger the land baron threw out in
from other lips. HAS the stage then
become holy convent?"
"You stamped yourself a scoundrel
some time ago." said the soldier slow
ly, as though weighing each word, land
now show yourself a coward when you
malign a young girl without father
brother
"Or lover" interrupted the land bar
on. Perhaps, however, you were only
travelling to see the country"
Have you anything further with
mel" interjected Saint Prosper CURLY.
The PATRONS blood corsed, burn
ing. through his veins. The others
contemptuorN manner stung him more
fereely than language.
YES" he said meaningly, his eyes
challenging ssint-Prosper's. "Have
you been at 6pedella's fencing rooms7
Are you in practice7'
Saint-Prosper hesitated a moment,
and the land baron's face fell. Was IL
possible the other would refuse TO
meet himl But he would not let him
of easily. There were ways to force,
and. suddenly the words of the mar
quis recurring TO him, he surveyed the
soldier disdainfully.
cad, you must come Of family of
towards and traitors! But you shall
fight or-the public becomes arbiterw
And he half raised his arm threaten
ingly.
The soldiers tanned cheek was now
as pale as a moment before it had been
flushed. His mouth set resolutely, as
though fighting back some weakness.
With lowering brows and darkening
glance he regarded the land baron.
81 was thinking" he said at length,
with an effort, that If killed you
people would want to know the rea-
SON."
The PATRON laughed. "How solicit
GUS you are for her welfare and mine!
DO you then measure skill only by
inches? II so, l confess you would
stand a fair chance OF dispatching Inc.
But your address? The st. Charles,
presume"
The soldier nodded CURLY, and, hav-
ing accomplished his purpose, Mauville
had turned TO leave when loud voices
in a front box near the right aisle at
tracted general attention from those
occupying that part OF the grand stand.
The young officer who had accompa-
MED Susan to the races was angrily
a thickset man, the latest |
recruit to her corps Of willing captives. |
The lad had assumed the arduous task |
Of guarding the object of his fancy |
from all corners simply because she
had been kind. And why should she |
not have beenl He was only a boy. |
She was old enough to be-well, an
adviser. When, after brief but point |
ed alteration, he flung himself away |
with a last reproachful look in the d.
rection Of his enslaver, Susan looked |
hurt. That was her reward for being |
nice to a child!
"a fractions young cubw said the |
thickset man complacently.
"Well, l like cubs better than bearsw
Susan pointedly.
Not long, however, could the interest |
Of the spectators be diverted from the |
of the day. and soon all
eyes were drawn once more to the |
track, where the horses hoofs resound- |
ed with exciting patter as they strug- |
gled toward the wire. urged by the
voices of the jockeys.
How did you enjoy 1t. my dearT
asked Barnes, suddenly reappearing at |