The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1905-03-09

ounce sAiu, 40 uot lehE tut lits
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.llke; screaming wild
fowl SKINNED the surface or clrcled
above. The pastoral peace OF the
meadows. garden OF the wild flower
and home Of the song bird. was replac-
Ell by waste Of desolation and wilder.
ness. Long they dashed on through
the loneliness of that Iand-a depress-
ing flight But more depressing than
the abandoned and forlorn aspect Of
the scene was the consciousness that
their steeds had become road worn
and were unable TO respond. Long.
long, they continued this pace. II
strained period OF suspense. and then
the fool drew rein.
Look. Jacqueline." he said. The
river
Before them. fed by the rivulets from
the distant hills, the fOaming current
threatened 10 overflow its banks Al
ready the rising waters touched the
fiimsy wooden structure that spanned
the torrent. Contemplatively he re-
garSied IL and then, placing his hand
for a moment on hers, said eneourag.
ingty:
Perhaps. after all. we are borrowing
troubleY'
She shook her bead. III Z could but
think t." she answered. Something
seemed to rise I'm her throat "a mo
mcnt I forgot and-was not unhappy {:
But now | feel as though the end was
closing about US"
lie frightened his grasp You are
worn with fatigue-faDciful." he re-
piled.
The end she repeated passionate
Iy. Yes. the endr' and threw OF his
hand. Look
He followed her eyes. Waving
piumes:' he cried And drawing
nearer! Come. Jacqueaine. let " ride
on"
How she answered IN a lifeleSs
tone. The bridge will hot hold"
For answer he turned his horse 20 IL .
proCee,ied slow'y across II wayeEed
aud bent. Her wide opened eyes fol
bowel him. Onre she lifted her hand
TO her breast and then became con-
-ctous hs stood oil the opposite bank
calling hor I, follow She STARTED L
strange a'as!r was on her Hps. and
ioGcl.u< trr hJrs.' sharply. size oleyeI
is IL To- de4th he has called the r she
asksti hsrssI:
H. her ear. sounded the swash aud
cldylng Of The current She closed her
eyes t. keep frun failing. - hen she
f"lt haud Oh the birdie. aud la mo
n"nt bad rearhei the opposite shore
The jester made no tuutlon to rptDount
but remained nj her horses head. close
ly survey .rg the road they had travel
el
Must We 90 on she said mechan
icnlly
only Que o! them can cross at a
time" he answered.. without stirring
IL il better o. nee, them here"
ooh" size spoke up. 80 the waters
would only ri-e o little more and carry
away the bridge"
IIs glanrt~l quickly around him.
weighing the slender Chaure fer SUE.
Ccss II be made that last frzperate
stand. aud then, graSp.ng a loose plank.
began using It rs lever against
one u the weakened supports of tine
bridge SON the team gave wag and
tie structure. inv held bnt at the mid,
die aud oue aide. had already begun 10
sa2 when from around the curve ~
the highway appeared Louis II Hoch-
ftls and dDzen of his followers
Tho frer har0n rode 20 the brim Of
the torrent. regarded the food and
the bridge anI stopped lie was
mounted on a black Spanish barb
whose glIsteuing sides were gecked
With foam 4 cloak u cloth % gold
feil frUm hIs brawny shoulders: his
heavy. rel face looked out from be.
meath a sotubrurO frlnaei with the
same metal. A Eleam % grim recollsc.
lion sh0ne from his bIOodshOt eyes az
obey rested on the fool.
'Oh. there you arer' be shouted, with
savage satisfaction. ''Out u the fry
lng pan Into the Ore. or. rather for you
ssCHped the fagots at NOtre Dame out
u the Gre into the frying PAM
Above the tumult Of the torrent bis
stentUrian tones were plainly heard.
without response the Jester inserted
the plank between the structure and
the middle support. Tho other. per.
ceivinR his purpose, uttered IN execra.
ton that was drowned by the current
and lrresolutely regarded the means
Of communication between the two
shores. obviously undetermined about
trusting bis great bulk 10 that fragile
iDteFmefIum. Here was q temporary
check on which h. had not calculated.
But n be demurred about crossing
himself the free baron did not long