The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-04-14

sense OF new sccurry rnur moyeu
her, the reaction of their narrow es-
cape. the knowledge they were leaving
the chateau and all danger behind
them?
Hark. bark!
Pretty lark
Boom! Far in the distance sounded
the discharge OF cannon, its iron
voice the antithcss to the poets dainty
pastoral. AS the report reverberated
over the valley. from the grass in
Vulnerable Insects arose; the din died
away, the disturbed earth dwellers
sank back to earth again. The song
ceased from the young girls lips. and.
gazing quickly back, she could just dis
tinguish above one Of the pnrapets of
the chateau n wreath, already nearly
dissolved in the blue Of the sky. The
Jester, who had also turned In his sad
die. met her look Of inquiry.
ut sounds like signal Of some kind,
salute. perhaps" he said.
"Or call to armsT" she suggested.
And he made no answer. 'It means
PURSUIT.
Silent they rode on, but more rapid
she kept by his side; her resolute cx-
preston reassured him. while her
glance said. "Do not fear for me-"
Gradually had they been descending
from the higher slopes of the country
OF which the chateau mount was the
loftiest point and now were passing
through the lower stretches Of land.
Here the highway ran above fields
inundated by recent rains and
marshes converted into shining lakes.
Out Of the water uprose grove Of
trees, spectral-like; screaming wild
fowl SKINNED the surface or circled
above. The pastoral peace Of the
meadows. garden of the wild flower
and home of the song bird, was replac-
ed by waste Of desolation and wilder
ness. Long they dashed on through
the loneliness Of that land-a depress-
Ing flight. But more depressing than
the abandoned and forlOrn inspect Of
the scene was the consciousness that
their stecds had become road worn
and were unable to respond. Long.
long, they continued this pace, q
strained period Of suspense, and then
the fool drew rein.
Look, Jacqueline," he said. "The
riverv'
Before them, fed by the rivulets from
the distant hills, the foaming current
threatened to overflow Its banks. Al
ready the rising waters touched the
fiimsy wooden structure that spanned
the torrent. Contemplatively lie re-
garded 1t and then, placing his hand
n hnr nt
ingly:
Perhaps, after oil, we are borrowing
trouble?
She shook her head. "If could but
think AZ, -pho- answered Something
seemed to rise in her throat. "A mo-
ment I forgot and-was not unhappy
But now l feel rs though the end was
closing about u.s.
He frightened his grasp. "You are
worn with fatigue-fanciful," he re-
piled.
THE end! she repeated passionate
ly. "Yes. the endv' and threw on his
hand. Look
He followed her eyes. "WavinR
plumes" he cried. "And drawing
nearer! Come. Jacquelinc, let US ride
onr'
How" she answered in a lifeless
tone. The bridge will not hold"
For answer he turned his horse to II:
proceeded slowly across. 1t wavered
and bent. Her wide opened eyes fol-
lowed him. Once she lifted her hand
to her breast and then became con-
scious he stood OH the opposite bank,
calling her to follow. She started. A
strange smile was on her lips, and,
touching her horse sharply, she obeyed.
"Is it to death he has called meT' she
asked herself.
In her ears sounded the swash and
eddying Of the current She closed her
eyes to keep from falling, when she
felt hand on the bride, and in a mo-
ment had reached the opposite shore.
The Jester made no motion to remount,
but remained at her horses head, close
ly surveying the road they had travel
ed.
Must we go on" she said mechan-
ically.
"Only one of them can cross Mt a
time," he answered. without stirring.
1T Is better to meet them here"
"Oh," she spoke up, III the waters
would only rise little more and carry
away the bridge"
He glanced quickly around him,
weighing the slender chance for sue
cess IL lie made that last desperate
stand, and then, grasping loose plank,
began using 1t as lever against
one OF the weakened supports Of the
bridge. Soon the beam gave way and
the structure, now held but Mt the mid
die and one side, had already begun to
sag when from around the curve OF
the highway appeared Louis of Hoch.
fels and u dozen Of his followers.
The free baron rode to the brim Of
the torrent, regarded the food and
tho hrf10o