Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-09-30

the wood? ] questioned. Perhaps NJ.
lc Connie gave me up when ] did not
follow him
No" said Pasdeloup. They waited;
but they We're discovered and forced TO
flee
"D~iscovered?" | repeated. despatring-
iily
A least Il body of peasants passed
over the spot where they had stopped.
They may not have been seen"
| brcatned again.
And they VIII pass this way?"
."They must. II taeS keep TO the cover
of the woods
They will, of course, do that,"I said,
and strained my eyes down each OF the
valleys in turn.
our position commanded a consider
able view of the surrounding country,
but the chateau was hidden from our
sight by a low spur OF hill which ran
down n the valley at our left. ! fan
cied | could still see i'm the sky the
reflection of the light from the burning
tower, but a moment later | saw il was
the sun, just peeping over the trees to
the east.
Then | began to chafe at the delay,
for ii seemed TO me that VIC were vast
ing time. | glanced at my companion
and found hat seemingly he had to-
tally forgotten me.
"Pasdeloup." / said at last. are you
quite sure that NJ. le Cornte must pass
this hill"'
He looked up With a start and "a
frown.
Yes" he answered harshly, and /
saw that he himself was roubled at
the delay. TO north and south are
only open fields, where people are
working, and many houses. He could
not hope to pass that way unseen, es-
pecially with the women. He will
know this. He viii know that he
must follow this valley to the west.
IN this way he can keep 10 the shell
ter OF the hills until he reaches the
valley of the Dive, Beyond that is
the Bocage."
You are right, | agreed; 1T is
the Bocage he will seek to reach.
There he will be safe. But perhaps
lie has already passed"
Pasdeloup shook his head.
Impossible. We came by a short
or way which the women could not
have followed. Besides. he said he
would wait for you. 1t is that which
is delaying him. He fancies you are
lost somewhere in the woods down
yonder. ! shall have to seek him.
and he rose to his feet with sudden
Then he stopped and stood for an
instant staring down the valley.
There they are," he cried. There
they are!"
/ sprang to my feet and followed
with my Eyes his pointed finger. For
some moments I saw nothing-only
the tangle of trees and underbrush:
then ! caught a movement among the
trees and three figures came out into
a little glade below us.
The women came forward slowly
and with difficulty, as though al
ready weary. NJ. lie Comte paused Il
look back.
You were right / said. touched
to the heart. He Is still looking
for me-" But Pasdeloup had placed
his hand behind his ear and was lis
tening intently, his face of a sudden
rigid as stone.
They have waited for YOU toe
long he said roughly, They are
followed and he plunged down tho
hillside toward them, l after him.
M. lie Comte had given an arm &c
each Of the women n was hurryina
them forward. encouraging zach In
turn. Not until We were almost upon
them did he q us: then he snatched
out his pistols and whirled toward us.
M. lie Comte!" I cried. "Madame!'
but my eyes We're only for that other
face, grey and dreary I'm the cold light
Of the morning. She had been staring
listlessly at the ground, but at sound
of my voice she started round upon
me. her face white as death, and
clutched madame for support.
"Tavernay!" cried NJ. lie Comte, a
great light in his face. And Pasde-
loup, All, / understand now why you
fingered" and he held out a hand to
each of us. we thought you dead,
We thought the flames had caught
you..n
Come said PasdeIoup. This is
no time for words
You are right agreed his master.
"Tavernay, ! again entrust Charlotte
to you"
/ crossed To her and ooh her hands
in mine and drew her TO me.
Il thought you dead she murmured.
raising trimming eyes to mine. II
thought YOU had stayed too long" and
/ felt how she was trembling.
Come cried Pasdeloup again.
there is "A hiding place, If we can
only reach it," and he glanced anxious
ly over his shoulder.
l drew my o forward, my arm
still about her.
w are going to escape ] muir
INJURED in her ear. we are going 70
be very happy. God intends it,"
She looked up into my eyes and
smiled TREMENDOUSLY. / could guess
how near Sne was 10 absolute exhauS-
ton, and did my best to save her. Our
way for a time led over a smooth mead
ow. then we plunged into the rocky bed
Of a brook. which mounted So stceply
that our progress was very slow. The
way grew more and more rought. great
boulders blocked the path, and on
either sid the banks OF the torrent rose
abruptly TO a height of many feet.
: Then, from far down the valley be-
hind us. came the bay OF a hound.
NJ. lie Comte stopped and listened.
Il know hat bay he said. That
is Roland. What can lie be hunt
ing?"
HE is hunting his master" answered
Pasdeloup grimly. "Goujon devised
that trick
"Goujon.'' murmured NJ. le Comte,
always Goujon.,
1T was he trained the dog" add
ed Pasdeloup. ''Come. We are los
ing time"
THE women cannot go much farther
along such a 0 as this, his mas
ter warned him.
I'VE have not far to go--just
around that turn, yonder, and we are
safe"
Suddenly behind us rose a chorus OF
savage yelIs.