The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-08-04

scattering fusil&de In air. Then the
rtr.E OF hNrsemen narrowed In to closer
/ quarters and there was some flashing
~ bare steel in the freight, at wich
the Cherokee kidnapers melted away
II vanished as il by magic.
With the shouts and the airing Mar
Sc:;- AMI her maid had burst out OF
the sleeping lodge to find themselves In
the thick OF the sham battle: II 1t
was but womanlike that they should
their shrieks to the din. being as
well terrified as they had n right to be.
But now the leade of the attacking
troop speedily brought order With a
word of command. II when his men
fell back to post themselves as vedettes
among the trees. the officer dismounted
to uncover courteously and to bow low
to the lady.
The hoss-captain." muttered Eph-
rain Yeates. under his breath: but we
did not need his word for it. Twas but
"a child's pebble-toss across the barrier
stream. and we could both see and
hear.
tress Margery.' said the baronet.
mounting his words like a player Who
had long since conned his lines and
got them We'll by heart and letter-per-
feet. These slippery savages have
given us a pretty chase. l do assure
you. But you are trembling yet. Calm
yourself. dear lady; you are quite safe
now"
L was watching her intently as he
spoke. Twas now hard upon two
months since l had seen her last In
that Hateful upper room at Appleby
Hundred. and the interval-or mayhap
1t was only the hardships and distresses
of the captive tlght-had changed her
woefully. Yet now, as when we had
stood together at the bar Of Colonel
Tarleton's court, / saw her pass from
mood to mood in the turning of a leaf,
her natural terror slipping from her
like q cast-off garment. and a sweet
dignity coming TO clothe her in a
queenlier robe, making her, as l would
think, more beautiful than ever.
Il thank YOU, Sir Francis-for my
self and for poor jeanne she said.
You have come to take us back to
my father?"
He bowed again and spread his
hands as a friend willing but helpless.
Upon my honor. dear lady. nothing
would give me greater pleasure. But
what can 1 say? We are upon the
kings business. as you we'll know. and
our mission will not brook an hours
de~lay-indeed, we are here only by the
good chance which led your captors
to choose our route for theirs. have
no alternative cut to take you and
s'eA a WIN aS W ~ NSol, O0l
l do assure you"
She stopped him with an impassioned
gesture of dissent. and darting a de-
spairing glance around that minded me
Of some poor hunted thing hopelessly
enmeshed In the net OF the fowler. she
clasped her hands and wrung them.
breaking down piteously at the last.
and begging him by all hat men hold
sacred to sen her and her maid back
to her father. If only with a single SOL
der for a guard.
Twas then we had to drag my dear
lad down and hold him fast, else he
had flung himself into the torrent In
some mad endeavor to spend his life
for her. So l know not in wha false
phrase the baronet refused her, but
when I looked again she was no longer
pleading as his suppliant; she was
standing before him in the martyr
steadfastness of u true, c~iean-hearted
woman at bay.
Then you will not by so much IN
do the wrong You have done me. Cap
tain F~'alconnet?" she said.
"a wrong? How then; do YOU call
1T a wrong to rescue you from these
brutal savages Mistress Margery?"
She took a step nearer. and though
the dry-stick blaze was dying down I
could no longer see he- face distinctly,
l knew vel! how the scornful eyes We're
whipping him.
"Listen!' she said. "Nhen you set
Tallachama and his braves upon us
in the road that night, you We're not
cautious enough. Captain Falconnet. I
saw and heard you. More than that.
Tallachama and the others have spoken
freely of you plans in their w
tongue, not knowing that my poor
Jeanne had been three years a cap
i've among the T%elliQuos."
The attack was SO sudden-sharp and
50 completely a surprise that he was
taken off his guard, else l made sure
he would not at such a time have
dropped the gentelmanly mask to stand
forth the confessed ravisher.
80 no: Then you have been playing
fast and loose with me as you did with
the handsome planter and that beg
carly captain OF Austrians? Twas a
bold game, ma petite, but you have lost
and 1 have won, for my game was still
holder han yours. What l need, take.
Mistress Madge, be 1T the body OF a
woman or the life OF a man. Savez-
vous un homme desespere, ma cherie?
I am that man. You piQue me, and I
need the dowry you will bring. II I
could have killed your lover out of
hand. I might have been content to
leave you for a time. Since I could
not, you go where I go; and when we
return I shall do you the honor to
make you Lady Falconnet."
Continued Next Weekly