The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-08-04

scattering fusilade In air. Then the
ring of horsemen narrowed in to closer
quarters and there was some flashing
of bare steel in the freight. at witch
the Cherokee k~iCnaperS melted away
and vanished as If by magic.
With the shouts and the firing Mar
gerry n her maid had burst out Of
the sleeping lodge to find themselves in
the thick of the sham battle: and 1t
was but womanlike that they should
add their shrieks to the din, being as
we'll terrified as they had a right to be.
But now the leader 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 II. Twas but
a child's pehble-1oss across the barrier
stream, and we could both see n
hear.
Il give you JOY of your escape. Mis-
tress Margery," said the b%aronet
mounting. his words like a player who
had long since conned his lines and
got them we'll by heart and le~tter-per-
feet. These slippery saNages have
given US a pretty chase, l do assure
you. But you are trembling yet. Calm
yourself. dear lady; you are quite safe
now"
was watching her intently az he
spoke. Twas now hard upon two
months since I had seen her last in
that Hateful upper room at Appleby
Hundred, and the nterval-or mayhap
1t was only the h%ardships and distresses
of the captive f!ight-had changed her
woefully. Yet now. as when we had
stood together at the bar of Colonel
Tarleton's court, l 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 I would
think, more beautiful than ever.
Il thank you, Sir Francis-for my
self and for Door Jeanne she said
You have come to take us back &C
my father .
He bowed again and spread his
hands as a friend willing but helpless
Upon my honor, lear lady, nothing
would give me greater pleasure. Blu,
what-can | say? We are upon The
kings business, as you well know, ant
our mission will not brook an hours
delay-indeed, we are here only by the
good chance which led your captors
to choose our route for theirs. l have
no alternative but TO take you ant
your woman with us to the west; bu'
10 assure you--'
She stopped him with an impassionet
gesture of dissent, and darting a de
spairing. glance around hat minded m
Of some poo. hunted thing hopelessl.
enmeslled in the net of the fowler. Sh'
clasped her hands and wrung them
breaking down ~piteousty at the last
and begging him by all that men hol(
sacred to send her and her maid bacl
to her father, If only with a single sol
der for a guard. 'f1r ISL s af't
Twas then we had to drag my dea
lad down and hold him fast, else b
had flung himself into the torrent ii
some mad endeavor to spend his lf
for her. So I1know not in What falls
phrase the baronet refused her, blu
when l looked again she was no longe
pleading as his suppliant; she wa
standing before him In the marty
steadfastnesS of a true, c~lean-hearte
woman at bay
Then you will not by 80 much un
do the wrong you have lone me, Cap
tain F~alconnet"' she said.
"A wrong? How then; do you ca
1t a wrong 10, rescue you from thes
brutal saVages, Mistress Margery"
She took a step nearer, and thong
the dry-stick blaze was dying down
u u W. w ~. .
I knew well how the scornful eyes wer
whipping him.
"Listen!' she said. when Sc
Tallachama and his braves upon u
in the road that night, you were ne
cautious enough, Captain Falconnet.
saw INC heard you. More than tina
Tallachama and the others have spoke
freely of your plans in their ow
tongue, not knowing that my poo
Jeanne had been three years a car
tive among the Telliquos.'
The attack was so sudden-sharp an
so completely a surprise that he wa
taken off his guard, else l made su!
he would not at such a time HAY
, dropped the gentelmanly mask to t
forth the confessed raVisher.
soho? Then you have been playin
5 fast and loose with me as you did wit
the handsome planter and that beg
carly captain of Austrians? Twas
bold game ma petite, but you have 10:
and / have won, for my game was Stl
holder than yours. What l need, TAX
: Mistress Madge, be it the body of
! woman or the life of a man. Saves
vous un homme desespere, ma cherie
am tina man. You piuue me, and
= need the dowry you will bring. II
, could have killed your lover out {
hand, l might have been content
leave you for a time. Since l coul
, not. you go where l go; and when "
return l shall do you the honor
. make you Lady F~alconnet."
Continued Next Week.)
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