Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-21

He would be mao TO FISK It. lie must
rush on her, CHANGING the bullet, or re-
treat toward me. / covered him with
my weapon.
He did neither Before she had got |
her aim he bowed in his most graceful !
fashion, cried, II can't kill where I've /
kissed" and before she or l could stop |
him laid his hand on the parapet of the ,
bridge and lightly leaped into the moat. |
At the very moment l heard rush |
of feet and voice | knew-Sapt's-l
cry. God. it's the duke-dead"' Then !
l knew that the king needed me no
more. and, throwing down my revOlv- |
err, l sprang out on the bridge. There
was a cry of wild wonder. The kingH'
and then l. like Rupert HentZau sword
in hand, vaulted over the parapet, in
tent on finishing my quarrel with him
where l saw his curly head fifteen
yards off in the water of the moat.
He SWAN swiftly and easily. | was
weary and half crippled with my
wounded arm. could not gain on him.
For time made no sound. but as we
rounded the corner of the old keep l
| cried:
| Stop, Rupert! Stop
| l saw him look over his shoulder but
| he swan on. He was unGcr the bank
| now, searching, as l guessed, for a spot
| that he could climb. | knew there to
be none but there was my rope. which
would still be hanging where | had
| left it. He would come to where it was
before could. Perhaps he would miss
| If; perhaps he would find it. and if he
drew 1t up after him he would get a
good start of me. l put forth all my
remaining strength and pressed on. At
last | began to gain on him. for he oc-
cupied with his search, unconsciously
slackened his mace
All. he had found it. A low shout of
triumph came from aim. He laid hold
of it and began TO maui himself up. l
was near enough TO hear him mutter.
How the devil comes this here" |
was ut the rope, ard he, hanging in
midair, saw ne, but | could not reach
him.
Hello! Who's here" he cried in
startled tones.
For moment ! believe he took me
for the king. | dare say | was pale
enough to lend color to the thought,
but an instant later he cried:
why, it's the play actor! How
came you here, man.
And so saying he gained the bank
| laid hold of the rope but | paus-
cd. He stood OH the bank. sword in
hand. and he could cut my head open
or split me through the heart as l
came up. / let 80 the rope
Never mind" said l, but as am
here l 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 u 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. l saw him thirty yards off,
running like deer toward the shelter
: of the forest. For once Rupert Hent-
Eau had chosen discretion for his part
:, 1 laid my feet to the ground and rush
!, ed after him, calling to him to stand
He would not. UnwOunded and vigOr-
O Gus, he gained on me at every step
but, forgetting everything in the world
, except him and my thirst for his blood
i pressed on. and soon the deep shades
of the forest of Zenda engulfed Us
a BOTH pursued and pursuer.
4 1t was o'clock now, and day was
n dawning. | was on long, straight
9 grass avenue. and Il hundred yards
v ahead ran young rupert, his curls
waving in the fresh breeze. l was
!, weary and painting. He looked over his
4 shoulder ana waved his hand again tc
me. He was mocking me, for he saw
he had the pace of me. | was forced tC
pause for breath. 4 moment later Ru
. pert turned sharply to the right anC
- was lost from my sight
= / thought all was II and in deer
= veXation sank on the ground, but
was UP again directly, for scream
rang through the forest. woman'S
scream. Putting forth the last of my
!. strength, l ran on to tine place where
he had turned out of my sight, and
Z turning also. | saw him again; but
alas. could not touch him. He was il
IL the act of lifting a girl down from he
horse. Doubtless it was her scream
that heard. She looked like small
n farmers or PEASANTS daughter, ant
III she carried basket on her arms
Probably she was on her way to thu
u early market at Zenda. Her horse wa
n stout. well shaped animal. Master
!, Rupert lifted her down amid he
- shrieks. The sight of him frightened
= her. but he treated her gently, laugh
!, ed, kissed her and gave her money
. Then he jumped on the horse, sittin:
sideways like a woman, and then h
waited for me. 1 on my part waitet
- q L.