Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-07-19

and walked beside her; n in n
dark l smiled. I knew how shame and
impotent rage were working i'll her.
This was something like revenge!
Presently I spoke. "Well Mademoi-
selle," said. where are your
grooms?"
She gave me one lock, her eyes blaz-
ing with anger, her face like hate it.
self: and after that l said no more,
but left her in peace and contented
myself with walking at her shoulder
until we came to the end of the village,
where the track to the great house
plunged into the wood. There she stop
ped and turned on me like a wild crea-
ture at bay. what do you want?" she
cried hoarsely, breathing as if she had
been running.
"To see you safe to the house" l
answered coolly.
"And if I will not?" she retorted.
1.-THE choice does not lie with you,
Mademoiselle," I answered sternly.
You will go to the house with me and
on the way you will give me an inter-
view; but not here. Here we are MOI
private enough. We may be interrupted
at any moment and l wish to speak
to you at length"
1 saw her SILVER. "What if l will
not?" she said again.
Il might call to the nearest soldiers
and tell them who you are answered
coolly. 81 might, but l should not
That were a clumsy way of Furnishing
you and | know a better way. | should
go to the captain. Mademoiselle, and
tell him whose horse is locked up il
the inn stable. A trooper told me-
as some one had told him-tbat it be
longed to one of his officers; but J
looked through the crack and l knew
the horse again"
She could not repress a groan.
waited. Still she did not speak. "Shal
I go to the captain?" ! said ruthless.y
She shook the hood back from hel
face and looked at me. ooh, 70,
coward! you coward" she hisse'
through her teeth. IF l had a knife
But you have not, Mademoiselle,"
answered, unmoved. BE good enough
therefore, to make UP your mind which
it is to be. Am l to go with my news
to the captain, or am l to come witt
you?"
"Ciye me the pitcher!" she SAT-
harshly.
I did so, wondering. In a momen
she flung it with a savage gesture ia
into IL g bushes. "Come!" she said
IF you will. But some day God will
punish you!"
Without another word she turned an
entered the path through the tree
and | followed her. | suppose ever;
turn in it's course, every hollow an
broken place in 1t had been known t.
her from childhood, for. she followed
swiftly and unerringly, barefoot as sh
a had TO walk fast through til
darkness to keep up with her. TIL
wood was quiet, but the frogs were be
ginning to croak in the pool and thei
persistent chorus reminded me Of tn
night when l had come to the house
door hurt and worn out and Clon ha
admitted me and she had stood unde
the gallery in the hall. Things ba'
looked dark then. | had seen but a yer,
little way ahead. Now all was plain
The commandant might be here wit,
all his soldiers, but it was I who he'll
the strings.
We came to the little wooden bridg
and saw beyond the dark meadows tn
lights Of the house. All the window
were bright. Doubtless the trooper
were making merry. Now, Mademo
%selle," l said quietly. II must troubl
you to stop here and give me your Al
tention for a few minutes. Afterward
you may go your way"
Speak" she said defiantly. IAN
be quick. | cannot breathe the al
where you are! 1t poisons me-"
"Ah!" | said. slowly. do you thin
you make things better by sic
speeches as those?"
"Oh!" she cried-snd | heard he
teeth click together. Would you hay
me fawn on you?"
|. perhaps not" ! answered. "Sti
you may make one mistake"
What Is it?" she painted.
.You forget that | am to be feared {
we'll as-loathed!" answered grir,l,
|, "Ay, Mademoisellc, to be feared"
continued. do you think that I do NJ