The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-26

a Partisan gambling HELM a place of
such. i1-repute. But there wassho es-
cape. and eve IL 1 fell in fight, they
would brand me as a thief. Should
the papers be found on my body, then
honorable men would execrate my
memory as a traitor to country and
to king. for had not Serigny told me
he could not vow my connection with
him? The lust OF life still surging
strong within me. I drew my sword.
Its point effectually guarded the mar
row space in front from post to post.
They parleyed a time, and I rested frin
against the door.
Come. fellow. thou art trapped; give
me up my purse"
Spit the thief. run him through %
come from one of those behind-for
the rear guard. beyond the reach of
steel. was eve loud and brave. But
Ward. being in front, Was more cau-
tious. He well knew the first man who
came against me would be badly hurt.
AND, I rather 1ancted, he respected my
blade.
AS they took counsel together. dozens
OF voices from the hall swelled the din,
yet above 1t all I caught a light step
Thou My heart bounded to my
throat; I felt the door gave way at
my back, and before they understood
what had happened, I was safe IN the
other side. with the stout oaken boards
we'll locked between.
I heard Ward yell: ITO the great
gate, my DULLES. and I willifollow here
and at once a great pressure was cast
against the door, but 1T bravely bore
the strain.
Come" Florine said; and taking me-
by the hand together we sped through
many dark n devious windings, I'M
TIL 1 stood once more In the open
street.
Hurry, Monsieur, take that street;
It leads to Rue st. Antoine. whence
Monsieur can find his way"
l would have paused a moment to
thank the girl, but she babe me haste.
I pressed a piece of gold into her hand;
h would not have 1t.
No. Monsieur. not for your gold
and the woman of the wineshop shamed
my thought. Good night, Monsieur.
She kissed my hand, and drew back
into the darkness.
I turned hastily down the street,
but had not made more than the dis
lance OF three rods when I heard a
scream, and looking back saw two men
dragging Florine back into the street.
Which way did he go?" Ward de-
marded f1ercely.
She made no reply.
Speak quick, o. I'll kill you az \
would a hare"
Still she kept her tongue.
She makes time for her lover,
Carne," the other man suggested, and
as l feared he would strike, I called out
loudly to them:
Here he is" to draw them Off from
the girl.
They dropped her at once and start
ed in my direction. I ran on ahead,
yet at a disadvantage, for I knew not
Where to go, knowing, too, that I could
not fight them Doth. Yet more than
all I dreaded falling inc the hands OF
the city guard with the papers 1 had
upon me. I ran Under a street lamp,
and taking up a position some twenty
feet beyond in the dark, waited. The
knife for one, the sword for the other,
was my thought. Holding my long
sword in my left hand, I swung my
right free. and catching my knife by
Its point, stood my ground. The young
er man was swifter, yet seemed afraid
to lead Ward. So they passed under
the lamp side by side.
Selecting Ward as my mark, / made
a quick cast. and had the satisfaction
OF seeing my knife glitter as it struck
him full in the shoulder, and bury itself
well to the hflt. 1t vas a trick 1 had
learned from the Indians and it had
not been lost.
"a million devils, who was that?'
screamed the stricken man, Juggling to
free the knife. Out 1t came, followed
by q widening dark stain upon his
doublet.
HE had others with him-hidden In
the dark" and at his companions sug-
gestion. they stood back to back, IN
readiness for their imaginary foes.
This gave rue an opportunity to slip
away, they pursuing no further.
lodged round the next corner and took
my way up a street running parallel
to the one I left.
When they nc longer came 1 slack
ened my pace to a walk, trying in vain
to recall how I came and how to reach
Rue st. Denis. There was nothing for
1t but to keep straight on. The streets
grew broader and travellers not
SO few. I questioned several, and
for a coin secured an honest
looking idler to guide me. It
was not so very far after all to my inn,
yet right. joyful I was to see the place
again and to find a cheerful fire blaz-
ing on the hearth. I stood before tho
homelike warmth and chuckled to my
self at the success Of my adventure.
CONTINUED Next Week.)