The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-11-10
CHAPTER XIV.
IN H SHADOW.

%, Slllzen IaNeTHdSs uo ISpSeeSat
dwelling on the words with a mal1ci-
ous triumph, you did not escape, after
all-you and yonder pretty cideyant.
Gods blood. but this Is a pleasant mo-
mentl"
He stopped and looked into my eyes,,
then burst into a roar of laughter.
For me, I meant" he cried. holding
his sides. For me-not for you. Conn
look at it from my standpoint. Be
large minded enough to look at 1t from
been more perfect, more complete, morS
admirable In every way? 1t tempts me
almost to believe in Providence!"
/ could only stand and stare at him
and wonder numbly whether he were
man or devil.
You wonder how I know you?" he
continued. "True, I have never before
had the supreme pleasure of meeting
you thus, face to face, and Of con-
versing pleasantly with you as | am
now doing; but I know you perfectly,
nevertheless. The nation has a sharp
eye for its enemies, and 1T never sleeps.
That eye has been upon you from The
moment Of your flight"
But I had shaken off my stupor and
got something Of my boldness back,
'Nonsense!" I said, contemptuously.
II am not fleeing. I am on my way to
Join the forces at Thouars. You mis-
take me for someone else"
He looked at me and nodded, while
his smile grew and broadened.
Not bad" he commended. But it
is useless for you to lie. Even il you
were not -rnay, your fate is none
the less assured. I can well under
stand your reluctance to part with
life," and he cast a leering glance
toward the still form on the cot. You
must have found life very pleasant re-
Gently. But do not despond. You are
leaving your mistress in tender hands.
She will not want for affection!"
What Is the charge against me?"
I demanded. controlling as we'll as I
The charger" he repeated neg
are a dozen charges. I have not yet
determined which I shall use. But
what does it matter. Between our
selves. I will tell you, citizen, that I
have decided upon your death be-
cause you are in the way" and again
You would. then, said, real
ling that 7 must keep my calmness:
murder a patriot in order to be more
free to wrong a woman"
"a patriot" he sneered. perhaps
not-but I would murder an aristocrat
for far less cause than that"
"I am not an aristocrat," + protested
$50 you persist In that farce?" he
quered colby. Really. you grow
wearisome. Perhaps you will explain,
then, how o happen to be wearing
the clothing of that traitor. Pasde-
loup?"
My tongue refused to answer and
he laughed again as he noted my
confusion.
7 recognize It. every stitch" he
went on evenly" every stitch except
the shoes. And I even think I car
guess where you got those! More
than that, I can have you identified
in a moment. Perhaps you remem-
countered on the road from Tours
I am SURF that he will recall you
readily, sven in this guise. for he has
an excellent memory. Shall I sum-
mon him."
I saw that it was useless to per.
sist.
NO." I answered, don't disturb the
sergeant"
You admit. then, that your are
Tavernay7"
Yes" I answered boldly why
not? I have committed no crime
you have opposed the nation
"In what way? BY trying to es.
"You have allotted the nations
"By accepting their hospitality
Come this Is childish 2"
"You have murdered two patriots
he went on inexorably.
''Two?" I repeated with q start
"One you stabbed last night"
TT was bis life OF mine"
ments ago."
ITO defend a woman's honor"
A sudden light blazed in his eyes.
You pretend it still exists?" h.
sneered.
I gave him. a look, which, had looks
that power; would have scorched and
shrdvelled him where he stood. Blu,
eyes, a Hendish grin upon his lips.
Really, Citizen T~avernay,' he SAID
at last. ut would appear from YOU
countenance that this surprising thing
Is true, and yet I can scarcely believe
but no matterl I thank you, m,
friend. for your forbearance. A ap.
piaud your ~virture, which is really uni.
que, ever in this age OF virtue. Never.
theless. you must agree with me tina
your death Is moro than aver neces.
sary. Indeed, ind you already. one
too many!" and he glanced toward thu
cot with a meaning unmistakable.
'What a brute!" I murmured, con.
tempt mastering every other emotion
What a brute! This is your Who'll,
life, thenl You think OF nothing bu
viIenessl I might have guessed a.
much by looking at you! But one victim
has already escaped you"
YES" ne broke In, his face sud
denly contorted with rage; az T knep
the wretch who fired that shot, h,
would have been in hell long ere this!'
"she died in her husbands arms,
I continued, seeing how the word,
stung him, happy, his lips on hers
OF you. b had never so much a.
heard the name; during her Who'll,
life, not once did she SO much q.
think Of you. For her you have neve.
existed.neyer will exist She hal
go ont" he said hoarsely, licking
his lips with q purple tongue. BODY
Of God, GO oni"
His face was c%onvulsed with an.
| guish. great drops Of sweat stood gu
across his forehead, he was CULVER.
Ing under the blows I dealt him, ant
YET he seemed to get a kind of fear.
full pleasure from them. And In thal
instant I saw how he had been con.
sumed by a hopeless passion: how h.
had beaten himself against a loft,