The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-08

riz enable: would have the snow not
so cor-for JUS me-"
She did not answer.
Turn to me-" he said.
The fragrance of the fields came to
them, and from the distance the faint,
clear note Of a huntingdon.
Turn to me"
The lovely head was bent very low.
Her little gloved hand lay upon the
narrow window ledge. He laid his
own gently upon it. The two hands
were shaking like twin leaves in the
breeze. Hers was not drawn away.
After a pause, neither knew how long,
he felt the warm fingers turn and clasp
themselves tremuIouSly about his own.
At last she looked Up bravely and met
his eyes. The horn was wound again
nearer.
"All the cold was gone from the
snoWS-long ago" she said.
MY beautiful he whispered: it
was all he could say. my beautiful"
But she clutched his arm, startled.
Ware the road" A wild hal1oo
sounded ahead The horn wound loud
ly- Ware the roadt" There sprang
up out of the night flying thunder
of hoof-beats. The gentlemen riding
idly in front of the coach scattered to
the hedge-sides; and, with drawn
swords flashing in the moon, a party
of horsemen charged down the high
way, their criest blasting the night.
Barberi XIII the barberi" they
screamed Barber! Kill the barber!''
Beaucaire had but time to draw his
sword when they were upon him.
A mol" his voice rang out clearly
as he rose in his stirrups. "a moi.
Francois, Louis, Berquin! A moi,
Francoisi"
The cavaliers came straight at him.
He parted the thrust of the first but
the shock of collision hurled his horse
against the side of the coach.
sacred swine!" he cried bitterly.
TO endanger a lady, to make this
brawl in a lady's presence! Drive on!"
he shouted.
NO" cried Lady Mary.
The Frenchman's assaailants were
masked, but they were not highway
men. ''Barberi Barberl" they shout
ed hoarsely, and closed in on him in a
circle.
''See how he use his steelH' laughed
NJ Beaucaire, as his point passed
through tawdry waistcoat. For a
moment he cut through the ring and
cleared space about him, ana Lady
Mary saw his face shining in the moon
light "Canaillei" he Kissed, as his
horse sank beneath him, and, though
guarding his head from the rain of
blows from above. he managed to drag
headlOng from his saddle the man who
had hamstrung the poor brute. The
fellow came suddenly to the ground,
and lay there.
rs it not a compliment" said u
heavy voice. Ito bring six large men
to subdue MONSIEUR"
"Oh, you are there, my frieni In
the rear-a little in the rear, I think.
Ha, hal"
The Frenchman's play with his
weapon was revelation of skill, the
more extraordinary as he held in his
hand only a light dress sword. But
the ring closed about him, and his
keen defense could not avail him for
more than a few moments. Lady
Mary's outriders, the gallants of her
escort, rode uD close to the coach<and
encircled it, not interfering.
''Sir Hugh Guilfordi' cried Lady
Mary wildly, ''if you Will not help him,
give me your sword" She would have
leaped to the ground, but Sir Hugh
held the door.
''Sit quiet madam he said to her;
then, to the man on the box, Drive
on"
IF he does, III kill hfml" she said
f1ercely- All what towards! Will you
see the Duke murdered %
THE Dukei" laughed Guilford.
"They will not kill him. unless-be
easy, dear madam. twill be sxplained.
Gad's Ife!" he muttered to Molyneux,
| '"TWere time the varlet had his lash
ing! Dye hear her?"
Barber or no barber" answered
Molyneux, Il wish I had warned him.
He fights as few gentlemen could. All
-ah! Look at that. 'Tis Il shame!"
On foot, his hat gone, his white
coat sadly rent and gashed, fiecked,
too, with red. NJ. Beaucaire. wary,
alert, brilliant seemed to transform
and, though his skill appeared TO lie
in delicacy and quickness, his play be-
ing continually with the point, sheer
strength failed 70 beat him down. The
young man was laughing like a child.
believe me, - said Molynenx, hes
no Barber! No, and never Wasi"
For a mOmeEr there was even a
chance that NJ. 3eaucaira might have
I H.
were PROSTATE, more than one were
groaning, and the indOmitable French
man had actually almost beat off the
ruffans, when, by a trick, he was
overcome. One of thems dismounting,
ran in suddenly from behind, and
seized his blade in a thick leather
gauntlet. Before Beaucaire could dis
engage the weapon. two others threw
! themselves from their horses and
hurled him to the earth "A moi. A
moi Francoisl" he cried as he went
down, his sword in fragments, but his
voice unbroken and clear.
"Shamel" muttered one or two Of
the gentlemen about the coach.
% Twas dastardly TO take him so, -
said Molyneux. Whatever his de-
servings, I'm nigh of mind to offer
him rescue in the Dukes face
| Truss him up, lads said the heavy
voice. Clear the way in front CT the
coach. There sit those whom we
aVenge upon a presumpuuous laekey,
Now, Whiffen, you nave Il fair audi
ence, lay on and haste him.
Two men began to drag NJ. Beau
caire toward a great oak by the road
side. Another took from his saddle
| a heavy whip with three thongs
"a moi. Francois"
There was borne on the breeze an
/ answer - tMonseigneuri AIonsefg-
neuri'' The cry grew louder sudden
/ ". The clatter of hCofs urged to an
anguish of speed sounded on the night
NJ. Beaucaire's servants had Jagged
sorely behind, but they made up for
it now. Almost before the noise OF
their own steeds they came ridine
down the moonlit aisle between the
mists. Chosen men, these servants d
| Beaucaire, and like a thunderboIt they
/ fell upon the astOunded cavaliers.
/ "Chateaurieni Chateaurienl" they
! Ii.