Gunnison news-champion., 1909-04-16

Triumph came from blm lie laid hood
Of u and i'sean o. haul himself sp.
was near eaes0h 10 hear him mpster
'IIew the aavu comes this here" Z
was at the r,s-r aud be. hanging IA
nsislaiF saw nc. but ccsld not reach
hin.
"Hcllo. Who's here" he cried ia
ssartled tones
/ Tor a moEsen; lcisevc he tcss& me
fos the KING Z dare say was pale
enough - lend color to the thought.
bui AN Instant later he cried.
/ why. rs the play actor How
eame you here man."
And - saying b. gained the bank.
l laid hsid of the rope. bat | paus-
ed. He stood on the bank. sword In
hand. and he cpUld cut my head open
or split me throash the heart as !
came NJ. ! bet 60 the roIc
Never mind" sand 1. hut as I am
here think III stay"
lie smiled down on me
These women are the deuce he
began. when suddeuly the great bell
of the castle began 10 ring furiously,
aud loud shout reached us from the
moat
Rupert smiled again and waved his
hand to me
Il should likc a turn with you. but
it's a little too hot" said he. And lac
disappeared from above me.
In an instant without thinking Of
danger, ! laid my hand to the rope. l
was up. | saw him thirty yards on.
running like a deer toward the shelter
of the forest Tor once Rupert Ient-
Eau had chosen discretion for his part.
l laid my feet TO the ground and rush
ed after him. calling to him to stand
lie would not. Jnwounded 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 Zcnda cngu,fed us
both, pursued and pursuer.
! 1t was !. O'Clock now, and day was
dawning. was ON hong. straight
grass avenue, and hundred yards
ahead ran young Rupert, his curls
W avn III thF bt''I'' W US
weary and painting. lie looked over his
shoulder and waved his hand again u
me. He was mocking me. for he saw
| he had the pace of me. | was forced to
pause for breath. A moment later Ru-
pert turned sharply 10 the right and
was lost from my sight.
| l thought all was over and in deep
/ Na sank nn h., prnlluI htIt 4
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. lie was in
the act of lifting girl down from her
horse. Doubtless it was her scream
that l heard. She looked like a small
farmers or a peasants daughter. and
she carried basket on her arms.
Probably she was ON her way 10 the
early market at Zenda Her horse was
a 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 he jumped on the horse, sitting
sideways like IA woman. and then he
waited for me. ON my part waited
for him.
Presently he rode toward me, keep
ing his distance. however He lifted
up his hand, saying:
what did you in the castle?'
Il killed three of your friends" said l.
what, You got to the celsr
"Yes."
And the kingf"
'He was hurt by Detchard before I
killed Dctchard. but l pray that he
lives"
You fool-' said Rupert pleasantly.
''One thing more did"
"And what's that"
Il spared your life. I was behind
you on the bridge. with n revolver in
my hand"
NO? Faith. I was between TWO
fires!''
Get of your horse" cried. "and
fight like n man.
Before a lady" said he. pointing 70
tne girl. RE. your majesty.
Then in my rage. hardly knowing
what l did. l rushed at him. For 4
moment he seemed to waver Then ne
reined his horse in and stood waiting
for me. On I went in my folly.
seized the Bride and l struck at him
He parried and thrust at me. fell
back pace and rushed in at him
again. and this time reached his face
and laid his cheek open and darteti
back before he could strike me- He
seemed almost dazed at the fierceness
Of my attack: otherwise I think he
must have killed me. 1 sank on my
knee. painting. expecting him to ride
at me. And SO he would have done,
and then and there. I doubt not, one
o. both Of us would have died, but at