Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-03-06
CHAPTER TX.

dressed in a dark and becoming riding
habit. She approached the 5teed, who
4 seemed impatient to be in motion, and
fearlessly caressed his arching neck with
her gloved hand.
Speaking soothingly to Victor, the dar.
ing maiden sprang lightly to the saddle
and grasping the flowing reins, felt that
she was mistress of the motions of the
noble beast
She turned his head in the right direc.
ton, and while Mr.. and Mrs. Martin in
yoked blessings upon her and her enter
prise. rode away at an easy pace When
quite clear of the settlement, she nc
longer checked the fiery impatience OF
the steed, but suffered him to go for.
ward at greater speed.
fhe moon had not risen: it was quite
dark, and there were many lonely places
to pass Tories were very active and
very plenty, and British dragons scour.
ed the country in every direction; but
hate was not daunted by any of these
considerations. She knew she was do.
ing right, and felt ready and willing to
suffer IN the cause of liberty.
She had gone about three miles when
she approached a wood of considerable
extent AS she entered it. and the dark
shadows fell more darkly across her
path, she could not help rejecting upon
the extreme loneliness of her situation
but she quickly shook off the momentary
gloom, spoke cheerfully to Victor. and
allowed him to go on a little faster
Soon after she heard the Gathering of
horses feet which grew more distinct
and appeared to be approaching from
the opposite direction. Although feeling
somewhat anxious for the result. Kate
resolutely pursued her way. 1t proved
to be a single horseman, and he in.
stantly stopped when near enough to
distinguish the outline of her figure.
rs it you, Miss MARTINI said voice
You have spoken my name" replied
Kate
81 am Joe Sawyer" exclaimed the
man.
"Oh, yes, l remember" she answered.
You saved my life, Miss Martin.
shall never forget it. I've fingered about
the neighborhood for several DAYS. in
hopes to get a glimpse of your sweet
face. | think of you all the time. and
sometimes 1 feel that it wouldn't be
knees and pray to you: because. YOU
see, owe you such a debt of gratitude
and can't never repay it. l know you'll
despise me for acting as l have, but |
can't help it now, and it's no use to cry
about the past"
You'll be a fine lad yet. l dare say
said Kate, kindly; "and you will doubt.
less wipe out the errors of the past by
the doings of the future that is now
before you"
| IF everybody had been ike you. Miss
Martin, | shouldn't have been what l
am; but they amt and never will be.
The bloodhounds of Captain Nick would
soon have torn me in pieces, if you
hadn't shown your blessed face just as
you did"
An offense like yours, | believe, is al
ways punished with DEATH" remarked
| Kate.
Il know it is; but We'll let that pass
HencefOrth l care nothing about parties
| will serve you only; you shall be my
queen, and l will be your subject ]
swear to you a lifelong allegiance
will be to you the most abject of slaves
There is no service so hard, so danger
Gus or so humiliating, but that will not
attempt it in obedience to your com
mands."
such language surprises me-" ex,
claimed Kate.
That's because you didn't expect
gratitude from man who could be base
enough to betray his neighbors. You
can say it boldly in plain words, if you
want to, and l won't think hard of you"
Il am glad that you have redeeming
qualities, Joe, but l cannot stop to talk
with you now; l have far to ride"
Il shan't leave you. Kate Martin. III
follow you anywhere that you please
to 60"
ITO Marion's camp, Joe?"
Yes. You can't shake me off. Go
where you will, I'll tram, after you, see
if l won't" added Joe, decidedly
But what possible motive can you
have for persisting in such strange
courseY'
ITO look after you if you should be
in danger, and die for you like dog
that perishes for his master" said Saw.
yer.
But you were afraid of death the
| other day, joe"
Il was engaged in a bad cause then
/ Miss Martin; and bad cause makes
anybody miserable coward. Yes, | will
go anywhere with you! SO ride along
and l will keep near YOU"
Indeed, Joe. l don't know as l can
| allow you to go with me-"
You can't help yourself. I'm bound
to stick to you like shoemaker's wax,
come what will"
Il don't think your horse can keep
up"
Then I'll lick him to death!' said
Joe, and then added, but there's moth
ing that wears hoofs that can keep out
of his way, when in the course of hui
man events speed becomes necessary; so
go ahead, Queen Kate"
You are resolved to follow, l see."
You may believe it's a fact. Give
that horse the rein. What a noble-spir-
tied animal he is. You sit upon linn as
firmly as a trooper. Here we go. my
queen and 1. Now for Marion's camp:
and if they string me up. all | ask is
just one tear from them heavenly ewes
of yours"
You shall have two. Joe-two as real
tears as ever a queen shed over de-
voted subject" responded Kate. gavlv.
Miss Martin did not much regret that
she was TO have company during that
long and dangerous ride. In some re-
spects Joe might prove detrimental 10
the success of her enterprise, but in
others he might prove of essential SER
vice. She had no reason to distrust the
sincerity of his professions, So Kate
went forward with a brave and hopeful
heart, while Joe clattered along by her
side, speaking only when he was ad.
dressed. A little before midnight the
moon arose, and the maiden hailed the
event with gladness.
As they We're proceeding in the man
ner described. Kate perceived in the
road a few yards before her the figure
of man. He was on foot and walked
along slowly, as if engaged in thought.
\ military cloak was thrown over his
shoulders, which made Kate think that
he was an officer, belonging probably to
| the British army or heading soma of