The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-10-27

slave inight--aEd again we went on
In silence. The moon rose and threw
our shadows far before tls along tn.
road; we came at last to the rough
and uneven ground had seen from the
hillside. apd here we found the way
more difficult. for the road grew mar
hedges closing II In on either hand and
sometimes even meeting overhead, SO
that we seemed to be stumbling for
ward In tunnel into which no ray
or light could penetrate. I aided her
as well as I could, but even then II
was disheartening and exhaustine
work. aud her labored breathing de-
noted her fatigue.
I'VE must rest" I said. I'VE must
rest" and ! led her to seat in the
shadow CT the hedge.
II shall recover in q moment" she
protested. I'VE must reach Coulanges
tonight. I have set my heart on 1t.
Remember, we burnt our ships behind
US when we abandoned our provi-
sions."
1--WE shall reach Coulanges," I said
confidently. AT the next house will
inquire the way"
Come" she said, starting to her
feet. Let us go. am quite rested"
She was a few PAGES ahead Of me,
and let her keep the place for a mo-
rent that might admire her erect
and graceful figure, when suddenly she
shrank back against me with a little
cry Of fright.
What is it?' asked. You are not
hurt?"
mo, no.' she whispered. But yon-
der--creep forward and look"
There was a sharp turn In the road,
and as l went forward cautiously and
look around 1t, my heart stood still.
For there. not 200 yards distant, was
encamped a regiment of infantry-the
same. perhaps, that we had seen pass
that afternoon. I contemplated the
camp II, silence for moment, noting
how il lay in the little valley, then ]
drew back and rejoined my comrade.
There is no danger" said. I'VE
must made a wide detour and avoid
these fellows"
searched along the hedge until ]
found place where I could breal,
through, and In a moment we were to-
gethcr In the field on the other side
Cautiously we crept away up the hill
side until tho lights of the camp
cleaned faint behind US, then we went
forward past them. There was no
brightness of the moonlight, for the
field was full Of sheep--the Same we
had seen pass, no doubt-and at q dis.
lance, so low we crept, we could not be
distinguished from them. We came to
another hedge and broke through It.
and was just turning back toward the
road, Wren low moan brought me
sharp around.
What Is it?" J. asked again, and
stretched out my arms and caught her
or she would have fallen.
My ankle" she gasped, her lips
white to the very edge. Il turned II
back yonder. though could walk
on II. but--Oh!" and she shivered and
hit my face against my shoulder.
placed her gently on the grass and
with trembling finger undid the laces OF
her shoe. Sho shivered again with
agony at ray touch and closed her eyes
felt that her ankle was already swell
ling, and the sweat poured down my
lace az l realized what anguish she was
in.
II must get aid" I said thickly. ct
must get you TO some house."
She was clutching wildly at my
sleeve, her face convulsed, her ewes
bright with suffering.
Leave no." she said. pulling me
down 70 her. Leave me. It is no
more than I deserve. Save yourself
first" ' ''
For answer. bent and lifted her
tenderly in my arms. and pressed
her close against my heart, and kissed
her ouivering lips and shining eyes and
fragrant hair.
Il love you!' whispered. More
newer Se eyer Se able oy 70 tell 9 how Th n1s
She chung to me desperately and !
held her close, close, trembling with
a great happiness.
Tell me-" I whispered. II know Il
now-but tell me-
She lifted her face to mine. no longer
pinched with suffering. but radiant
with Joy.
Il love you'll" she said. ooh, why
should deny It? / love you!"
Again kissed her; then I set of
down the hill. while she dropped her
head upon my shoulder and sobbed
silently--but ! knew that it was not
with pain, She was mine--mine!
Nothing could alter that! Not all the
oa'hs Of heaven and hell could alter
that. Not the scorn Of the living nor
the memory of the dead could alter
that. / had happiness within my hand
and would hold IL fast; there should
be no palterIng with it, no looking back.
no question Of this or that. How fool
ish all such questions seemed. now that
the die was cast.
At last l reached the road, and for
an instant hesitated. looking up and
down. To ask aid OF the Blues would
be to court the guillotine, and yet l
might blunder along the road for
hours without coming toa house
where help could be secured. Had /
the right TO condemn her to that suf-
fering: Then / remembered Coujon.
Better sprained ankle than that in
famy-hetter any suffering than that!
And resolutely set my Ance westward.
Continued Next Weekly