The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-23
CHAPTER XXX.
The Lovers Reunion.

The Lovers Reunion.
1.-THE Soldiers! The soldiers!!" cried
the mob, with scared, frightened
faces.
AS they streamed out of the house
most of the revolutionists had carried
in their hands some trophy, some
spoil, but in their panic many of the
articles were thrown away. 1t was
case of each one for himself, of sauve
Qui peut. Some made for the open
sandy plain beyond which was thick
belt of forest, while others scattered
In various directions away from the
sound of the dreaded troops. In two
or three minutes the mob had disap.
peared.
1--WE must make for the motor car"
said Aksakoff to Norman and Christa-
bel when they issued from the burning
house. The soldiers are not yet in
sight, and ii we reach the car before
them we can make good our escape."
The trouble is said Norman, that
20 gain the car we must go towards
the so!diers-is it not so?'
1T would be the quickest way, but
It is not necessary. We can make
detour. Come, I'll show you the way,
but we must run. Every second is
precious. Do you think you can run,
Miss Joyce?"
I'll try replied Christabel, and
they set off at as fast trot as Chris
label could manage, but she soon
tired. and they had to walk. Fortu-
nately, the wind blew the smoke
towards them and partially screened
them from observation; it also, how
ever, concealed the approach of the
soldiers. and they had to move with
the greatest circumspection and care
lest they should inadvertently come
upon them. However. they passed the
ruined works in safety and under
cover of the bank of the river got
quite close to the place where the car
was hidden.
Leaving Norman and Christabel, Ak.
sakoff went forward to reconnoiter,
and presently returned saying that
the soldiers were only just coming up:
they must wait for a while. During
the short time of Aksakoff's absence
the lovers, so strangely united again,
were too much occupied with them
selves to notice it, or they must have
heard the steady tramp OF the troops
ON the march, to which they now
anxiously listened. 1t came closer
and closer, seemed to be upon them so
that they held their breath in sheer
suspense, and then went on lessening
and lessening.
I'VE are safe, think" whispered
Aksakoff, looking out from their shell
ter. 'Tll go first and get the car
ready. I'll drive it round this way.
and do you be ready to jump in.
Then we must make rush for it: but
our chances are excellent" he added,
turning to Christabel You'll be in
Odessa. Miss Joyce, in two or three
hours. if we have any luck" And he
smiled on her cheerily.
While the lovers were waiting.
whispering their Joy and hope to each
other with gladness to which the
perl of ther situation added keener
zest, they were startled by hearing a
volley ring out at no great distance
from them. The sound had hardly
died away when the motor car came
throbbing and drumming towards
them. Quickly they sprang into it,
packing tightly into its single seat:
then away sped the car in the open
at its topmost rate, and soon they
were on road which took them by
circuitous route towards Odessa.
For the most part 1t was silent
Journey. Both Norman and Christabel
had much to think about as they sal
In the car with clasped hands. They
had much to tell each other, but could
not say It in the presence of Aksa
koff. whom Norman had warmly
thanked o. their good angel and pre-
server: there was much to explain OF