The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-10-20
CHAPTER XIII.
TEE PoNIARD AGAIN

'Ntt NAAA \ III u
aside, and again sheltering myself
behind a friendly hedge. gain the
thieket which stretched along the
ridge. Then. plunging into its cover,
l hastened back with what speed /
could toward the spot where I had
left my comrade, u~neasily conscious
thai l had fingered at the inn longer
than ! had thought to do, for the
sun told ms that noon had come and
gone.
So 1t was with an anxiety Which
increased at every step that 1 broke
my way through the u~nderbrUsh, un-
needing the briers which clltched at
my clothes and stung hands and face
an anxiety which ie6ped 10 mortal
anguish as I anne suddenly into
tne Itle aTnpiJheater where I had left
her n saw at a glance that it was
empty.
I set down the hamper with a
gro2n Of agony and wiped the cold
sweat ron my forehead. Fool. idiot
mat vas to leave her unguarded for
SO Tong a time. Some one had
Numbered into u retreat. had dis
covered her, had taken her prisoner.
What could ! 90? Where should /
look Tor her? This thicket doubtless
harbored many scOundrels seeking to
evade the draft. II was they who
mad captured her, and I trembled at
moment
Good day. NJ. de Tavernay." called
a gay voice and 7 turned my head
mechanically, to see her emerging from
the thicket. her face elight. so you
have returned
Thank God" I cried. Thank God!
You are safe. them"
Safe" she repeated. cycling me a
little ~euriously. But certainly. What
did you tmagiue?"
Il feared you had been captured
I answered hoarsely. Carried away!
No matter, since you are safe"
II heard some one approaching"
she explained, still cycling me, and de-
cided I would better conceal myself
until l was certain it was you. That
wise, wasn't it?"
Wise? On. yes, But 1 thought
| had lost you. 1 had stayed away SO
long"
And in truth" she went on. laugh
ing again, II am not yet quite certain
that it is really you. What a william
Gus co~untenance."
Yes" l said, flushing. "The-the
maid at the inn fixed it for me-"
so" she cried. 1T was a maid that
kept you-and pretty. III be bound.
To think that I have beer worrying
about you"
You must be nearly starved" I
said, anxious to change the subject.
Il confess a lively pleasure at the
of that hamper. May I explore
AT once I urged, and sat down a
little weakly, for l was not yet wholly
recovered from the swift reaction from
agony of fear.
- spread upon the grass the cloth
with which the hamper was covered
and uttered little cries of delight as
she drew for its contents and arranged
them before her.
Why. you are q wizard, NJ. de Ia
ernay she cried, when the hamper
was empty. Here is a feast fit for a
king. That maid must have fallen
desperately in love with you! A real
passion! Poor thing."
! posed as a Republican," 1 ex-
planned. She is a good patriot and
anxious to serve the Nation"
ESPECIALLY when it is p~ersoniffed by
a handsome and gallant fellow" she
amended. No matter; I am not jeal-
ous. Indeed, l have no right to be-.
But l wonder what the betrothed would
say Rest easy; she shall never know,
| promise you that. And now, If YOU
VIII draw the corks, we are ready to
Il am glad to see you In such spirits"
I remarked with irony, as I got out my
knife.
1T is SO much pleasanter than be-
ing dull and gloomy. is it not?' She
agreed.
You remind me of a red Indian"
| continued, as I drew the corks.
.daTefi,g around his captive and bury
ing a barb in his flesh from time to
time, just to see his anguish
Well" she retorted, II am going to
treat 3nIi as no red indian ever treatad
a captive. Sit down and share the
FEAST
But | have already eaten" I pro
tested. Nevertheless l sat down in the
place she indicated.
Hours ago!"
Besides. my fright when j found
you gone killed n return of appetite"
Were you really frightened 81
HORRIBLY"
T know what you need-a draught
of wine-
IF you will drink first" / agreed.
She raised the bottle to her lips, then
handed 1t to me.
We're right said, as / put IT
down. That was really what I need
ed My heart is bounding again.
though perhaps not wholly from he
Wine"
M ~ SiliiiGu Alu lOOkeu at me.
Whatever the cause, I am glad to
see you more like yourself. And now
you Will eat-I detest eating alone.,'
I will try" / said, but l confess i
found eating a difficult task with that
vision just across from me.
Did you learn where we We're 2" she
asked at last.
The village is called Dairon. we
arc about four leagues from Thouars,
where the Blues are in force. We
must get past them somehow to Cou-
langes, a league beyond, where we
shall find friends
And we must wait until tonight to
| go forward?p
Till twilight, at least"
We should get to Coulanges tonight
then?'
Yes" l answered with a sinking
heart at the thought that my dream
was to end SO soon. If all goes we'll
we should reach Coulanges by mid
night"
You actually say that in a tone q
despondency!r
And do you see in it nothing to re-
gret. mademoiselle 2" H
regret? Assured1y not, Shal
YOU regret being in safety again9
Danger is not the worst thing thu,
AftEA