Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-16

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But | saw shiver run through her
from head to foot. And I knew then
that had made no mistake.
That is too heavy for you, my girl.''
l said Familiarity, as might have
spoken to a village wench. 81 will
carry it for you"
One OF the men, who remained loll-
Ing at the table, laughed and the 9th er
began to sing low song. The woman
trembled in rage or fear, but she kept
silence and let me take the Jug from
her hands And when went to tho
door and opened it she followed
mechanically. An instant and the door
fell to behind us, shutting off the light
and glow and we stood together in the
growing dusk.
ut is too late for you to be out.
Mademoiselle," said politely. "You
might meet with some rudeness.
dressed as you are. Permit me to see
you home"
sho shuddered, and thought 1 heard
her sob, but she did not answer. IN
stead, she turned and walked quickly
through the village in the direction OF
the chateau, keeping in the shadow
OF the houses. carried the pitcher
and walked beside her; and in the
dark / smiled. knew how shame and
impotent rage were working in her.
This was something like revenge
Presently spoke. "Well, Mademoi.
selle," I said. Where are your
grooms?"
She gave me one look, her eyes blaa-
Ing with anger, her face like hate it.
self: and after that I 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 wild crea-
ture at bay What do you want?" she
cried hoaTsely, breathing as if she had
been running.
TO see you safe to the house." I
answered coolly.
And If will not?" she retorted.
THE choice does not lie with you,
Mademoiselle," | answered sternly.
You will go 70 the house with me and
on the way you will give me an inter-
view} but not here. Here we are nor
private enough. We may be interrupted
at any moment and wish to speak
to You at length"
] saw her SILVER What if will
not?" she said again.
I might call to the nearest soldiers
and tell them who you are" answered
coolly. II might, but 1 should not.
That were clumsy way of Furnishing
you and know a better way. should
go to the captain, Mademoiselle, and
tell him whose horse is locked up in
the inn stable. A trooper told me.
as some one had told 1lim-that it be-.
longed to one Of his officers; but
looked through the crack and l knew
the horse again"
She could not repress a groan. /
waited. Still she did not speak. Shall
l go to the captain" said ruthlessly.
She shook the hood back from her
face and looked at me. ooh, you
coward! you coward" she Missed
through her teeth. eff had knife"
"But you have not, Mademoiselle," I
answered, unmoved. BE good enough,
therefore to make UP your mind which
it is to be. Am to go with my news
to the captain, or am to come with
you?"
"Give me the pitcher!" she said
harshly.
did SO, wondering In moment
she flung it with savage gesture far
into the bushes. "Come!" she said,
IF you will. But some day God will
punish you'll"
Without another word she turned and
entered the path through the trees
and / followed her. suppose every
turn in its course, every hollow and
broken place in 1t had been known to
her from childhood, for she followed it
swiftly and unerringly, barefoot as she
was. had to walk fast through the
darkness to keep up with her. The
wood was quiet, but the frogs were be-
ginning to croak in the pool and their
persistent chorus reminded me Of the
night when l had Gene to the house.
door hurt and worn out and Clon had
admitted me and she had stood under
the gallery in the hall. Things had
looked dark then. l had seen but very
little way ahead. Now all was plain.
The commandant might be here with
all his soldiers, but it was / who held
the strings.
We came to the little wooden bridge
and saw beyond the dark meadows the
lights of the house. All the windows
were bright. Doubtless the troopers
were making merry. Now, Mademoi-
selle," I said quietly. II must trouble
You to stop here and give me your at
tention for few minutes. Afterwards
you may go your way"
Speak" she said defiantly. "And
be quick! I cannot breathe the air
where you are! 1t poisons me-"
"Ah!" said slowly DO you think
you make things better by such
speeches as those?"
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