The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-05

and l instantly received a series Of
conclusions upon the face and head
which put me in supreme doubt Of my
surroundings, for l seemed to have
plunged eyes foremost into the Milky
Way. l was conscious Of some one
screaming, and it seemed consOling
part Of my delirium that the cheek Of
Miss Anne Elliott should be damned
tight against mine through one phase
of the explosion. l hung to him, as
Pere Baudry testifies, for minute and
a half, which seems no inconsiderable
lapse Of time to a person undergoing
such experiences as were then afflict-
ing me.
1t appeared to me that we were re-
volving in enormous circles in the
ether and l had long since given my
last gasp when there came great
roaring wind in my ears and range
Of mountains toppled upon us both.
We went to earth beneath it.
"Ha! You must create violence,
then" roared the avalanche.
The voice was the voice of Keredec.
Some one pulled me from under
meath my struggling antagonist, and,
the power Of sight in hazy. zigZag.
ging fashion coming back to me,
perceived the figure Of Miss Anne Ell
lott recumbent beside me, her arms
about Mr.. Percy's PROSTATE body. The
extraordinary girl had fastened upon
him. too. though l had not known it.
and she had gone to ground with us
but it is to be said for Mr.. Earl Percy
that no blow of his touched her, and
she was not hurt. Even in the final
extremities Of temper he had careful
ly Disseminated In my favor.
Mrs. Hartman was bending over her
and as the girl sprang up lightly
threw her arms about her. For my
part, l rose more slowly, section by
section. wondering why l did not fall
apart, lips, nose and cheeks bleeding
and l had fear that should need tC
be led like a blind man through my
eyelids swelling shut. That was some
thing | earnestly desired should not
happen; but, whether it did or did not
or If the heavens fell, meant to walk
back to Quesnay with Anne Elliott
that night, and, mangled, broken OF
half dead, presenting whatever ap
pearance of the prize ring or the abat
toir that l might, intended to take
the same train for Paris on the NOR
row that she did.
For our days together were not al
an end, nor was it hers nor my desire
that they should be.
It was Oliver Saffren-as l like to
think Of him-who helped me to my
handkerchief and when that one was
ruined brought others from his bag
and stanched the wounds gladly re-
ceived in the service Of his wife.
IL will remember he said, and his
voice broke. These are the memo
ries which Keredec says make man
good. 1 pray they will help to redeem
me-" And for the last time l heard
the child in him speaking: 81 ought to
be redeemed. l must be, don't you
think, for her sakeT'
"Lose no timer shouted Keredec
"You must be gone if you will reach
that certain town for the o'clock
train Of the morning." This was for
the spy's benefit. 1t indicated Lisieux
and the train to Paris. Mr.. Percy
struggled. The professor knelt over
him, pinioning his wrists in one great
hand and holding him easily to earth.
"Ha, my friend"-he addressed his
captive-"you shall not have cause to
say we do you any harm. There shall
be no law, for you are not hurt, and
you are not going to be. But here you
shall stay quiet for a little while-till
I say you can CO." As he spoke he
bound the others wrists with short
rope which he took from his pocket,
performing the same Office immediate
ly afterward for Mr.. Percy's ankles.
81 take the countr' was the sole re-
mark Of that philosopher 81 can't 60
up against no herd of elephants"
The two women were crying in each
others arms. "Goodbyw sobbed Anne
Elliott.
Mrs. Hartman turned to Keredec.
"Goodby for little while!'
He. kissed her hand. Dear lady, I
shall come within the year."
She came to me, and l took her
hand, meaning to kiss 1t as Keredec
had done, but suddenly she was closer,
and felt her lips upon my battered
cheek. I remember it now.
wrung her husbands hand. and
then he took her in his arms, lifted her
to the footboard Of the cart and sprang
up beside her.
God bless you, and goodby" we
called.
And their voices came back to ~.
God bless you, and goodbyw
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