The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-01-13

| tOucneu the horses WITH MS whip anC
turned them toward the barn, leaving
the PATRON and his companion alone on
the broad portico. Sweeping from a
distant grove of slender poplars and
snowy birches breeze bore down upon
them, suddenly bleak and frosty, and
she shivered in the nipping air.
"You are chilledr' he cried IF you
would but go into the house while we
are waiting. Indeed, if you do not |
shall wonder how l have offended you
1t will be something to remember
half lightly. half seriously-"that you
have crossed my threshold"
He stood at the door with such an
undissemhled smile, his accents so re-
gretful, that after a moments hesita-
ton Constance entered, followed by
the PATRON. Sweeping aside the heavy
draperes from the window, he per
mitted the golden shafts of the ebbing
day to enter the hail. cleaning on the
polished floors, the wainscoting and
the furniture, family Illuminating the
faded pictures and weirdly revealing
the turnings of the massive stairway.
No wonder half shudder of apprehen-
sion seized the young actress in spite
of her self reliance and courage as she
entered the solemn and mournful place,
where past grandeur offered nothing
save morbid memories and where the
frailty of existence was significantly
writtenl After that Indian summer
day the sun was sinking, angry and
fiery, as though presaging a speedy re-
form In the vagaries of the season and
an immediate return to the legitimate
surroundings of October.
Involuntarily the girl moved to the
window, where the light rested on her
brown tresses, and as Mauvile watch
ed that radiance. shifting and chang
ing, her hair allght with mystic color,
the passion that had prompted him to
this end was stirred anew, dissipating
any intrusive doubts. The veering and
Pickering sheen seemed but a web Of
entangling irradiation. A span of ST.
lence became an lnterminable period to
her, with no sight of fresh horses or
sign Of preparation for the home jour
ney.
"What takes him so longT' she said
finally, with impotence. 1T is getting
so later
ut is late" he answered. almost
too late to go on! You are weary and
worn. Why not rest here tonightY'
"Rest herer' she repeated, with a
start Of surprise.
You are not fit to drive farther. To
morrow we can return"
Tomorrow" she cried. "But-what
do you mean"
THAT l must insist upon your spar
ing yourself" he said firmly, although
n red spot flushed his cheek.
"No, no! We must leave at oncew
she answered.
He smiled reassuringly. "Why will
asked. you have not the strength to
travel all night over a rough road aft
er such a trying day. For your own
sake, beg you to give up the idea.
Here you are perfectly safe and may
rest undlsturbed."
please call the horses at oncer
An impatient expression furrowed
his brow. He had relied on easily PIE
vailing upon her through her graft
tude, continuing in his disinterested
role for yet some time, resuming the
journey on the morrow, carrying her
farther away under pretext of mistak-
ing the road, until Here his plans
had faded into a vague perspective,
dominated by unreasoning self conf
dence and egotism.
But her words threatened rupture
at the outset that would seriously alter
the status of the adventure.
at is a mistake to go on tonight"
he said, with a dissenting gesture.
However, if you are determined
And Mauville stepped to the window
why, the carriage is not there!' he
exclaimed, looking out.
"Not therew she repeated incredu-
lousy. you told them TO change the
horses. Why
81 don't understand" returned the
land baron. with an effort to make his
voice surprised and concerned. HE
may Hello. there! You!- Oly-ko-
eks" he called out, interrupting his
own explanation.
Not Oly-koeks, but the drivers face
appeared from behind the barn door.
and, gazing through the window. the
young girl with n start suddenly real
lied that she had seen him not for
the first time that day-but where,
when? Through the growing perplex-
ity of her thoughts she heard the
voice of her companion.
"Why don't you hitch up the grays"
'There are no horses in the barn."
came the answer.
Strange! The caretaker did not tell
me they had been taken awayw COM
mented the other. hastily stepping
from the window as the driver van
isheI onc~ more Into the barn. 81 am
sorry. but there seems no alternative
but to wait, at least until / can send
for Others"
She continued to gaze toward the
door through which the man had dis
appeared. She could place him now,