Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-10-28
CHAPTER XXI.
THE A

CHAPTER XXI.
THE PONIARD AGAIN.
Not until a turn OF the road hid me
from this village and / was satisfied
that / was unobserved, did / turn
aside, and again sheltering myself
behind a friendly hedge. gain the
thicket which stretched along the
ridge. Then, p~lunging into its cover,
I fastened back with what speed
could toward the spot where I had
left my comrade, uneasily conscious
that~I had fingered at the inn longer
than I had thought to do, for the
sun told me hat noon had come and
gone.
So It was with an anxiety which
increased at every step that I broke
my way through the u~nderbrush, UNI
needing the briers which clutched at
my clothes and stung hands and face
! An anxiety which leaped to mortal
anguish as I came out suddenly into
the little ampitheater where I had left
her and saw at a glance that 1t was
empty.
I set down the hamper with a
groan OF agony and wiped the cold
sweat from my forehead. Fool, idiot
so long q time. Some one had
blundered into our retreat, had dis
covered her, had taken her prisoner.
What could I do? Where should I
look for her? This thicket doubtless
harbored many scoundrels seeking to
evade h draft. 1t was they who
had captured her, and / trembled at
the thought. Perhaps even at this
moment
Good day, NJ. de Tavernay," called
a a. voice and I turned my head
mechanically, to see her emerging from
the thicket, her face alight. $50 you
have returned"
Thank Cod" I cried. Thank Godi
You are safe. Them"
Safe" she repeated, cycling me a
little curiously. But certainly. What
did you imagine?"
Il feared you had been captured
I answered hoarsely. Carried away!
No matter. since you are SAFE"
II heard some one approaching"
she explained, still cycling me. land de-
cided I would better conceal myself
until I was certain 1t vas you. That
was wise, wasn't itf"
Wise? Oh. yes. But I thought
| had lost you. I had stayed away SO
long"
And in truth" she went on, laugh
ing again, II am not yet quite certain
that 1t is really you. What a william
Gus countenance."
Yes" / said. flushing. 'The-the
maid at the inn fixed 1t for me-"
so she cried. TT was a maid that
kept you-and pretty. I'll be bound.
To think that I have been worrying
about you"
You must be nearly starved" I
said, anxious to change the subject.
II confess a lively pleasure at the
sight of that hamper. May T explore
little weakly, for I was not yet wholly
recovered from the swift reaction from
that agony of fear.
She spread upon the grass the cloth
with which the hamper was covered
and uttered little cries Of delight as
she drew for It's contents and arranged
them before her.
Why, you are q wizard. NJ. de Ia
vernayl" she cried. whe the hamper
king. That maid must have fallen
desperately in love with you! A real
passion! Poor thingi"
II posed as a Republican" I ex-
planned. "She Is a good patriot and
anxious to serve the Nation"
Especially when X IL p~ersonifed by
a handsome and gallant fellow" she
amended. mo matter; I am not jeal-
ous. Indeed, I have no right to be.
But / wonder what the betrothed would
say Rest easy; she shall never know,
I promise you that. And now, IL you
VIII draw the corks. we are ready to
begin"
II am glad to see you In such spirits"
I remarked with irony. as I got out my
knife.
1T is so much pleasanter h be-
ing dull and gloomy, Is it not?" she
agreed.
You remind me of a red Indian"
I continued, as I drew the corks,
dancing around his captive and bury
ing a barb In his flesh from time to
time, just to see his anguish"
well" she retorted, II am going TO
treat you as no red Indian ever treated
a captive. Sit down and share the
feast"
But / nave already e~aten,' I pro-
tested. Nevertheless / sat down In the
place she indicated.
Hours agol"
Besides, my fright when / found
you gone killed any return of appetite"
Were you really frightened"
ftoIIlDLy.
Il know what you need-a drausht
of wine"
1T you will drink first" I agreed.
She raised the bottle TO her lips, then
handed IL to me.
You were right I said, as ! put II
down. THAT was really what I need
ed. My heart is bounding again.
though perhaps not wholly from the
Wine"
She smiled and looked at me.
whatever the cause. I am glad to
see you more like yourself. And now
YOU viii eat--I detest eating alone
Il will try" / said. but l confess
found eating a difficult task with thai
vision just across from me.
did you learn where we were?' she
asked at last.
THE village is called Dairon. We
are about -four leagues from Thouars
where the Blues are In force. We
must get past them somehow TO Cou-
|langes, a league beyond, where We
shall find friends
"And we must wait until tonight q
go forwardT'
It'll twilight. at least"
We should get to Cculanges tonight
, then?"
Yes I with a SINKING
heart 1T the thought that my dream