Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-11-18

sprang toward the cot like a wild
beast.
A blind fury seized me-a fury
maddening, uncomfortable. ! saw red
literally and actually, l saw red, as
though the world had been suddenly
drenched with blood. I strained at the
cords about my wrists until It cut deep
into b flesh; I hurled myself toward
him, only to be Jerked back cruelty by
the moose about my neck. I cursed him
till I could curse no longer; I offered
my souls hope to eternity for a single
moments freedom.
Then, suddenly, / realized my impo-
tence; a great calm fell upon me ]
stopped and looked at him. He had
left the cot n came back to me,
bringing a candle with him in order to
see more clearly, and he stood there
regarding me with the air of q con-
noisseur.
'well. citizen" he asked, with a dia-
bolical smile, you finished2 If
you care to begin again, pray do so, for
1t is very amusing. II not, I fear l
sha have to bid you adieu."
A long sigh from the cot interrupted
him; he turned with a start, holding
the candle above his head. In an In
slant l saw my chance; / drew up my
leg and kicked him ~savagely, with all
my strength, full In the belly.
He went back and down with one
terrible yell and lay writing upon the
floor. Again 1 tore wildly at my bonds,
but the flap Of the tent was dashed
aside and the guard rushed in.
GouJon sat upright. with an effort,
swaying from side to side.
String him up!" he yelled, his lips
white with froth like a mad dogs.
Hang himi Out with him this in
stantl An aristocrat and q ~traitor!"
The words rose to a scream of agony.
"Oh, he las killed mel" he groaned, and
fell forward upon his face
God grant it," I murmured ooh,
God grant It'll"
Already their hands were upon me,
dragging me away.
"Tavernayi" screamed a voice. "Tav-
ernayl Oh, my Lowell" and l turned my
head to see Charlotte starting from the
cot. her hands outstretched.
For an instant I shook them of; hen
they closed about me and hurled me
from the tent. 1 fancied that death
was upon me then and there, so merci-
less were the blows they dealt me. BY
some miracle l managed to keep my
feet, and suddenly q gigantic figure
drove itself through the crowd like a
catapult.
"MurderersI" he shrieked. "Assas-
sins!" and I heard the blows which
| oCAAN " Lt6LI d1l1 ICLL. WAdL
he continued, taking his stand before
me. You would kill q defeassiess
man-20 against one2 What sort Of
towards are your"
He Is an aristocrat," broke in the
man who held my halter. Citizen
Gou1on has ordered that he be
hanged"
Hang him and welcome" rejoined
the newcomer. But don't let me catch
you worrying him like dogs. Now off
with youl"
The voice sounded strangely familiar
in my ears. and when I had shaken the
blood from my eyes, / saw that my
rescuer was DubosQ.
Many thanks. my friend" I said. and
he started around. astonished. 'Tt
seems you do not know me-" I added,
as he stared his bewilderment, land
yet 1t was only two days ago that we
met on the road from Tours"
He seized a torch from the hand Of a
b~ystander and flashed 1t into my face.
my word, c~itizen!" he cried. Small
wonder! You looked like a bride
groom, then--and now. What have
you beer doing with yourself"
II have been trying to escape being
murdered" I rejofned. And It seems
that l am not going to C after ALL"
you shall not be murdered, I will see
to that-only prettily executed"
There is a difference, then?' l
questioned, with irony.
"All the difference in the world" he
answered with conviction. THE one is
irregular and Is apt to be ~bungled; 1t
Is done without authority n without
method. and is often needlessly pro-
longed. The other Is carefully planned
and quickly carried out; all unpIeas-
~antness Is Avoided"
"Oh, is I'll" I broke in, with a little
laugh. Il am glad to know thati"
Citizen, you surprise mel" protested
est. Il thought you more OF e philoso-
pher. Since this !s the end, why worry
about ST."
II will try not to-" I said, but at 81
the end comes rather early"
True" he agreed, and gazed at me
eontempiatively: T. had forgot that
"At any rate, I thank you for your
interest" I said.
Perhaps 1t is misplaced" and he
looked at me, frowning heavily. so
you were an accomplice Of the eide
want Favras, after all. You lied very
prettily that morning, citizen-and I
would have sworn that you were fresh
from the nursery! That n on old
Dubosql"
mot in the least!" / protested. 81
did not lie had never seen Favras
before. He took my horse by force,
as l related to you; but / found him
awaiting me at the next town. He
restored my horse to me and insisted
that I spend the night at his chat
eau"
Faith, citizen" said Dubosq, with
q laugh. you'd better have lost your
horse and spent the night under a
hedge. As II is, you lose your life.
and enter the eternal night"
Yes; there's no help for that, /
SUPPOSE"
Not If Citizen Coujon las ordered
He aid order it, broke In n OF
my prosecutors. who had listened to
all this with m-concealed impatience,
and at once"
VERY well, comrade." said Dubosq:
come along, then. But he didn't or
DER you to torture this fellow, and.
pardieu, III see that you don't. II you
have n message, Citizen 49, I've for
gotten you name"
"~Tayernay," I prompted.
"Oh, yes; ! remember. Well, II you
have any messages, Citizen T~avsrnay,
I'll be glad to take charge OF them. It's
the only kindness I can do you, I'm
afraid"
saThspxs -v $rS $1,000