The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-06-04

Y Santon we go by a cross country ROAD.
starting from the left bank opposite
Emmerich. a o longer and
more tedious. But we are much
less likely to be followed that way than
along the Vessel road, and. on second
thoughts, / incline to Santon."
But why adopt either road? Why
not go by river?" I asked.
Because we should be overtaken.
The wind is falling, and the boat" our
lare host explained more truly than po-
litely. with the women in II, Is heavy"
Il understand" said. And you
feel sure we shall be pursued? 2"
For answer he pointed with a smile
to his plate chest. quite sure" he
added. With that before them they
will think nothing of the frontier. I
fancy that for you, IL the English gov
eminent be in earnest. there will be no
absolutely safe place short OF the free
city Of Frankfort, unless indeed you
have interest with the Duke Of Cleves."
"Ah!" said the duchess, and she
looked at her husband.
"Ah!" said Master BERTHE, and he
looked very blankly at his wife. So
that I did not derive much comfort
from that suggestion.
Then 1t Is Santon, Is it," said my
lady.
THAT first, at any rate. Then, IL
/ they follow us along the Vessel road,
we shall still give them the slip"
So 1t was settled, neither Van Tree
nor the girls having taken any part in
the discussion. The former and
Dymphna were talking aside, and Mis-
tress Anne was sitting low down on
the bank, with her feet almost in the
water, immersed to all appearance in
her own thoughts. There was a little
hustle as we rose to get into the boat,
| which we had drawn UP or the land
ward side OF the island so as to be in
visible from the main channel, and in
the middle of this l was standing with
foot in the boat and one On shore,
taking from Anne various articles
which we had landed for rearrange-
ment, when she whispered to me that
she wanted to speak to me alone.
II a to tell you something" she
said, raising her eyes to my face and
then averting them. Follow me this
way"
She strolled, as If accidentally, 20 or
80 PAGES along the bank, and in a min
ute / joined her. 1 found her gazing
down the river in the direction from
which we had come. What is it," I
said a~nxiously. You do not see any
thing. do your" For there had been q
hint Of bad new in her voice.
She dropped the hand with which
she had been shading her eyes and
turned to me. Master Francis, you
will not think me very foolish?" she
said. Then l perceived that her lip
tears in her eyes. They were very
beautiful yes when, as, now, they grew
soft and appeal took the place of chal-
lenge.
What Is it?' I replied, speaking
cheerfully to reassure her. She had
scarcely got over her terror of last
night. She trembled as she stood.
1T Is about Santon," she answered,
with a miserable little catch in her
voice. Il am so afraid of going there!
Master Lindstrom says II is a rough,
long road, and when we are there we
are not a bit farther from those
wretches than at Vessel, and-and-'
There, there!" 1 said. She was on
the point or bursting into tears and was
clearly much o~verwrought. you are
making the worst Of 1t. IL 1t were not
for Master Lindstrom, I should be in
clined to choose Vessel myself. But he
ought to know best" grF #aa
But that is not all" she said, clasp
ing her hands and looking up at me
awe. II have had a dream"
We'll, but dreams" I objected.
You do not believe in dreams?" she
said. dropping her head sorrowfully. ,
mo, no. I do not say that" I adj
mitted, naturally startled. But what
was your dream?" ...i
Il thought we took the road to San
ton. And mind" she added earnestly,
this was before Master Lindstrom had
uttered a word about going that way
or any other way save to Vessel. I
dreamed that we followed the road
through such a dreadful Hat country, a
country all woods and desolate moor
n under a gray sky, and in torrents
Of rain, TO-" p,
We'll, Welt" I said, with a passing
shiver at the picture. She described it
with a rapt, absent air, which made me
creep-as IL even now she were seeing
something uncanny.
And then l thought that in the mid
die of these woods, about half way to
Santon, they overlook US, and there
was a great fight"
There would be sure to be that" I
muttered, with shut teeth.
And l thought o were killed, and
we women were dragged back! There,
I cannot tell you the rest!" she added
wildly. But try, try to get them to
go h old way. IL not, / know evil
will come of 1t. Promise me to try?"
Il will tell them your dream" / said.
mo, mol" she exclaimed still more
vehemently. They would only laugh.
Madam does not believe in dreams. But
they VIII listen to you IL you say you
think the other way better. Promise
me you will! Promise mel" she plead
ed. her hands c~lasping my arm, and
her fearful eyes looking up to mine.
WELL" I agreed reluctantly, 81 will
try. After all, the shortest way may
be the best. But If / do" I said kindly,
you must promise me in return not to
be alarmed any longer, Anne"
Il will try" she said gratefully. II
will indeed, Francis"
(ContiRued Next Weekly v.