The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-08-11

shall escape! God will not permit III
TO be killed like thisi"
I fancied that she drew closer to me
put l could not see her face.
Here we are" said M. lie Comte
and I heard him fumbling about FOR
a moment. Then there came the click
or a latch, the creaking Of rusty hinges
n q gust of cold air rushed out upon
US. We pressed forward into the black
pit beyond. The door changed shut be-
hind us, and at h same instant a shot
rang out and 1 heard the pang Of q
bullet as II struck the iron.
Jus a breath too late!" said M. ID
Comte. with a grim laugh, and dropped
the bars into place. "They will nut
soon get past this door, he added. as
we stopped to take breath. "Tt Is as
solid as the wall itself. We are safe
FOR a time, at least"
you are there. Charlotte?" asked
madame's voice. "yoa are safe? 2"
Yes, maGarc." answered nv com
panion. m. de Tavernay has taken
good care of me-
a gently. drew away from me, but
left her hand in mine.
I trust you will leave her in my
come trust"
SO your spirits survive even this
misfortune. do they, monsieur?"
on, madame" / answered, they
would survive much greater ones if
Well" she prompted. "if-continue,
monsieur"
IL only I might choose the persons
boldly. 1880 ~
You are right, Tavernay!" cried M.
le Comte. so long as a man has be-
SIDE him the woman he loves, nothing
else matters. But come. let us ascend
IN I'M nInIfOrn1 ~ 49,
s~coundrels are doing"
We mounted after him. stumbling I'm
the stairs n flight, two flights. three.
To guide her steps In the darkness. /
ventured again to slip my arm about
my companions waist.
~ )u hear?" l whispered. You are
not 9 that / permitted them to
guess?"
NO." she answered softly, and with
a Quee little laugh. II think they had
already guessed. Besides. I do NOT
think l shall over be angry with Won
again, M. de Tavernay."
"Ah. you love me; you love me.
then!" l whispered. rapturously, and
drew her still closer to me.
NOT now. my friend" she protested,
TREMENDOUSLY. Il beg Of you not now!
DO not forget FOUR PROMISE"
L shall not" / assured her, and we
mounted In silence.
Only when we came out into the
moonlight at the top did she draw away
from me n fling herself into the arms
who embraced her tenderly
n kissed her again and again.
The tower was battlemented, SO that
we could look down upon the chateau
n the grounds surrounding 1t without
DANCE OF being seen by anyone below.
AS M. lie Comte and I peered down to-
gether. l was suddenly conscious of
some one else beside me and turned to
see that 1t was Pasdeloup. In the stress
or flight. ! had quite forgotten aim.
with a little feeling of remorse. I held
out my hand and gripped his great
n silently, then turned again to
a contemplation OF the scene below.
But down there ali was dark and
silent. Not a candle cleaned from the
windows, not a sound disturbed the
OF the night. 1t seemed almost
that there had been no attack-that it
was all a dream--a fancy-that we had
run away. from shadows.
Can they have gomez" 1 asked. us
II possible that, not finding us, they
gone back to Danger"
You forget" said M. lie Comte, grim
ly, that single musket shot, which al
most reached n of US. Depend upon
it, they know that we are here"
III What are tHSy WalllnR, then z
They are preparing a plan of at
tack, no doubt; they are trying to de-
wise a way to get past that. iron door
yonder They know they have
cause to hurry"
Pasdeloup suddenly held up his hand.
"Listen!" he said.
For a moment, 1 heard nothing-only
the insect noises Of the night: then
from afar off came a sound as of bees
swarming, a faint hum, vague threat
Sning, incomprehensible. Louder II
grew and louder, swelling into a kind
OF roar, as though a great flood was
sweeping toward us down the valley of
the river. Then suddenly the roar burst
forth in overpowering volume; 1t grew
a~rticulate; lights danced
among the trees, and in a moment
more, a s~hrieking, cursing mob poured
upon the road, through the gates
and over the lawn.
They have GOMEZ said Pasdeloup.
canaille of DANCE"
And he folded his arms calmly as he
moodily down at them.