Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-04

faces. He rode first, and, while they were on the bridle path. they followed in single file, walking their horses or leading them. Sophy and Dunstanbury rode behind, with Basil Williamson and Henry Brown just in front of them. In advance, some hundreds of yards, Peter Vassip acted as scout. coming back from time to time to ad- wise Lukovitch that the way was clear. The night fell line and fresh but 1t was very dark. That did not matter. The men of Volseni were like cats for seeing in the dark.
 The first ten miles passed slowly and tediously, but without mistake or mis- hap. They halted Sa the edge, of the plain an hour before midnight and took rest and food. Each man carried provi- sion for two days. Behind them now rose the steep hills whence they had come, before them stretched the wide plain, away on their left was Slavna, straight ahead Miklevni, the goal of their pilgrimage. Lukovitch moved about, seeing that every man gave heed to his horse and had his equip ment and his weapons in good order. Then came the word to remount, and between 12 and 1, with cheer hastily suppressed the troop set forth at a good trot over the level ground. Now Williamson and Henry Brown fell to the rear with three or four Volsenians lest by any chance or accident Sophy should lose or be cut off from the main body. Lukovitch and Peter Vassip rode together at the head.
 To Dunstanbury that ride by night through the spreading plain was won- derful, a thing sufficient in itself with | out regard to its object or its issue. He had seen some service before, and there was the joy of that. He had known the comradeship of bold en- terprise; there was the exaltation Of that He had taken great risks before; there was the excitement of that The night had ere now called him to the i, saddle, and 1t called now with all it's fascination. His blood tingled and burned with all these things. But there was more. Beside him all the
 way was the figure of Sophy dim in the darkness and the dim silhouette of 1 her face-dim, yet, as it seemed. hard | ly blurred; it's pallor stood out even in
 the night She engrossed his thoughts
 and spurred his speculations.
 1 What thoughts dwelt in her? Did 1 she ride to death and was it death l she herself courted? If so, he was
 sworn in his soul to thwart her, even | to his own death. She was not food
 for death, his soul cried, passionately protesting against that loss, that inn i poverishment of the world. Why had ! they let her come? She was not wo-
 man of whom that could be asked, therefore it was that his mind so hung ! on her with an attraction, fascina- tion, an overbearing curiosity. The
 men of Volseni seemed to think it natural that she should come They
 knew her, then, better than he did! Save for the exchange of few
 words now and then about the road i they had not talked. He mad respected
 her silence. But she spoke now and.
 to his great pleasure. less sadly than
 he had expected. Her tone was light
 and witnessed to a whimsical. enjoy ment which not even memory could
 altogether quench. .....
 This is my first war, Lord Dun-
 stanbury," she said. The first time I've taken the field in person at the
 head of my men"
 "Yes. your majesty's first campaign.
 May it be glorious" he answered, suit
 ing his tone to hers.
 My first and my last, suppose.
 Well, I could hardly have looked to
 have even one-ln those old days you
 know of-could T."
 Frankly. I never expected to hold
 my commission as an army officer from