Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-06-12

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slackened his pace.
All, he had found ~ A low shout of
triumph came from him. He laid hold
OF it and began to haul himself up.
was near enough 10 hear him mutter,
"Ilow the devil comes this here?"
was at the rope, and he, hanging I'm
midair. saw me, but ! could not reach
him.
"Hellol Who's here?' he cried in
startled tones.
For a moment ! believe he took me
for the king. l dare say was pale
enough 20 lend color to the thought,
but an instant later he cried
"Why, it's the play actorl How
came YOU here. MANI"
And so saying he gained the bank.
/ laid hold Of the rope, but l paus-
ed. He stood on the bank. sword in
hand. and he could cut my head open
or split me through the heart as
came up. let go the rope.
"Never mind" said l, but as anu
here ! think I'll stay"
lie smiled down on me.
These women are the deuce he
began, when suddenly the great bell
of the castle began to ring furiously,
and a loud shout reached us from the
moat
Rupert smiled again and waved his
hand to me.
Il should like turn with you. but
it's a little too hot" said he. And he
disappeared from above me.
In an instant, without thinking of
danger, laid my hand to the rope. |
was up. saw him thirty yards Off,
running like "A deer toward the shelter
of the forest For once Rupert Hent-
Eau had chosen discretion for his part.
/ laid my feet TO the ground and rush
ed after him. calling to him to stand.
He would not. Unwounded and vigor-
Gus, he gained on me at every step;
but. forgetting everything in the world
except him and my thirst for his blood,
/ pressed on, and soon the deep shades
Of the forest Of Zenda engulfed us
both, pursued and pursuer.
1t was 3 O'clock now, and day was
dawning. l was on a long, straight
grass avenue, and hundred yards
ahead ran young Rupert, his curls
waving in the fresh breeze. l was
weary and painting. He looked over his
shoulder and waved his hand again to
me. He was hooking me, for he saw
he had the pace of me. l was forced to
pause for breath A moment later Ru-
pert turned sharply TO the right and
was lost from my sight
| thought all was over and in deep
vexation sank on the ground, but
was up again directly, for a scream
rang through the forest, a woman's
scream. Putting forth the last of my
strength, / ran on TO the place where
he had turned out of my sight and.
turning also | saw him again; but,
alas, / could not touch him. He was in
the act of lifting girl down from her
horse. Doubtless it was her scream
that ! heard she looked like small
farmers or peasants daughter, and
she carried basket on her arms
Probably she was on her way - the
early market at Zenda. Her horse was
stout. well shaped animal Master
Rupert lifted her down amid her
shrieks The sight of him frightened
her, but he treated her gently. laugh
ed. kissed her and gave her money
Then lie jumped on the horse sitting
Sideways like a woman and then he
waited for me. on my part waited
for him
Presently he rode toward me. keen
Ing his distance. however lie lifted
up his hand saying:
What did you in the castlew
Il killed three Of your friends said |.
What You got to the celsT'
Eyes"
"And the kingf'
"IIe was hurt by Detchard before I
killed Detchard but I pray that he
lives"
You fool" said Rupert pleasantly.
zone thing more did"
"And what's thatY
81 spared your life. l was behind
yon on the bridge, with revolver in
my hand"
"No? Faith, ! was between two
FIRES"
Get off your horse" cried, land
fight like a man.
Before lady" said he. pointing to
the girl "Fie. your majesty
Then i'm my rage, hardly knowing
what I did. | rushed at him. For n
moment he seemed to waver. Then he
refined his horse in and stood waiting
for me. On I went IN my folly
seized the bride, and struck at him.
He PARTED and thrust at me. | fell
again. and this time 7 reached his face
and laid his cheek open and darted
back before he could strike me. He
seemed almost dazed at the fierceness
Of my attack. otherwise think he
must have killed me- I sank on my
knee. painting. expecting him to ride
at me- And so he would lave done.
and then and there, | doubt not. one
or both of us would have died. but Mt
the moment there came a shout from
behind us. and. looking round. I saw
just at the turn Of the avenue a man
on horse. lie was riding hard. and
he carried a revolver In his hand. II
was Fritz Won Tarlenheim, my faith
full friend. Rupert saw him and knew
that the game was up. lie checked his
rush at iae and flung his leg over the
saddle. but yet for just n moment he
waited. Leaning forward. he tossed
his b-f o6 bis forehead and smiled
and said:
AN revoir, Rudolf Rassendyll"'
Then. with his cheek streaming
blood, but his lips laughing and his