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

! ! dared not look back. 1 felt that
1 I was forever leaving a spot more dear
| and sacred than home itself. 40 4
| strobe blindly on, hurting myself s9V-
agely at the underbrush, until the very
fury of ny exertions served to exhaust
the fire which ragged within.
Am going too fast 2" asked, paus-
ing and turning to her, for her foot
steps told me that she was close, at
my heels.
( mo" she said. ''but you must be
firing yourself terribly, and to little
useful purpose. I do not reqdire a
path SO wide as the one you have been
making"
cit was the brute lighting itself
J out" explained; "exhausting itself
by bruising and trampling down those
poor saplings."
! "And is II quite exhausted2"
II trust so. Do you never have an
impulse to destroy things--to reno &c,
( them apart and shatter them to bits!'
Sometimes" she admitted. laugh
ing. 'It's like thunderstorm. isn't
! it--all fire and fury while 1t lasts, but
leaving one cleansed and purified. Oh,
am far from perfect, she added,
laughing again as she caught my
glance, las you would have seen for
yourself long ere this had you been of
an observing turn. Is this as far az
we go through this thici1et?'
"No," I answered, checking the
words which rose to my lips, and /
set Off again, nor paused until the
village had sunk from sight behind
us: Now, we can rest. l SAID. ana
sat down at the edge of the bushes.
She sat beside me and leaned her
chin upon her hand as che gazed down
into the valley. The sun was sinking
to the west and the road seemed the
merest yellow ribbon between its green
/ hedges. Far ahead, could gee t.,at the
country again became more broken.
and low range of purple hills closed
in the horizon.
AS we sat there silent, cloud OF
dust appeared far down the road. and
we moved deeper into the cover OF the
bushes, fearing that II was another
regiment which approached. But 1t
was only a flock of sheep driven by
three shepherds.
Food for the enemy" remarked.
THAT explains why there are no
longer any fiocks in these pastures.
The republic has swallowed them,
as 1t has swallowed so many other
things"
We watched them until they passed
from sight on the horizon behind a
cloud Of dust. which rose and rose un-
| til 1t covered the suns face.
"Yonder behind that cloud lies
Thouars." I said.
"And a league beyond is Coulanges---
and our friends" she added.
always thinking OF that!" re-
"Yes-of safety and home. How
shall delight to be there once
again"
where that is! Why Is 1t, madmoi-
selle. that you have told me nothing OF
yourself? Do you mistrust meT
go Oh. kAA HI,.A
an absurd question. But there is 80
little to tell"
'And you refuse to tell me even that
, know nothing of you except your
name. How am TO find you again.
IL fate is indeed kind to me? Where
am to look ior your"
"a perfect lover would have trusted
his heart to lead him." she retorted.
But since you do not, you may as well
know that the Chateau de Chambray IL
two leagues south of Poitlers."
Then" said, II shall not have far
to go if-if--- pray heaven 1t may
be my fortune to seek you there"
could see by her sparkling eyes
that the spirit OF mischief had sprung
to life again.
1--WE shall be very glad to welcome
you, my father and l." she said, with
out permitting me to finish. Perhaps
we can even persuade you to bring your
betro'hed with you. Why not spend
your honeymoon at Chambray, mon
sieur?"
II should like to spend it there"
retorted. but with another wom-
an"
1t was her turn to redden. and she
did SO in good earnest.
"Do you think fortune will favor
me that far, mademoiselle?' per-
sisted.
Then she armed herself and struck
me savage blow.
mo, she answered, quickly; II
think fortune will hold you to your
promise and that you will soon forget
to rail at her. Your heart is exceed
ingly infiammable and will burn none
the less ardently whether it be I or
or your betrothed who applies the
spark.
"If that is your opinion. mademoi-
selle." returned bitterly. there is
nothing more to be said"
"And l am quite certain" she added.
smiling strangely. that you will one
day accept that invitation. Ny father
will insist upon it."
"Let himl" retorted. "A.-a you
hungry"
'No."
Nor I. This hamper. then we will
leave here. as we shall reach Coulanges
tonight. 1t Is time we were setting
or" 'a'."-
She arose w.thoIe n word and fol-
lowed me dow" .ta slope. Only when
at last ( gle" : eek, did I perceive
that she a. rear.hg the hamper.
why are you brips ing that?" Il de-
manded, wheeling sharp around.
Food Is not plentiful enough in
France to be wasted in that way" she
answered evenly.
what do you propose to do with
IT."
II propose to leave it at the door OF
the first hut we reach" and she made
O motion as though to pass me.
seized the hamper roughly and
strobe on through the dusk, marvel
ing at the Inconsistencies OF heart
which could be at the same time SO
cruel and SO tender.
CHAPTER XIII.
EnpTTyNIc E,pOWNc