Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-11-11
CHAPTER XIV.
THE DRAGONS DEN.

NNS . Ao0S
and overwhelming, dreve me back
from the door, but I managed to hold
my place, pistol in hand, before my
love, too dazed for the moment tc
do aught but stare at them and curse
the fortune which had brought us K
this desperate pass. But I had a part
to playa part I had rehearsed more
thar once for Just such an emer.
geney as this-and I got my wits
back by a supreme effort, while the
newcomers stin stood gaping In a
semi-circle about Us,
"Wsli, Citizens" 1 said, trying Ia
achieve 9 smile with but Indifferent
success, "one would have thought you
were taking a fortress by assault"
we are set 10 patrol this road, -
explained one Of them. I'VE saw this
light and determined to find out what
was going forward here"
l saw by their awkwardness and
want Of discipline that they were not
trained soldiery but raw levies, with
no very clear idea Of their duties, and
my spirits rose. The affair was not
not desperate as ! had thought.
Quite right" / commented, smll-
ing this time Ina earnest. IT suspect
ed as much. That is why I opened so
promptly, since We have nothing to
conceal. There is no enemy of the
republic ~here-only this honest old
fellow, this oma and myself. So
farewell, my friends. Oblige me by
using this to drink the health of the
nation" n / tossed their spokes-
man a silver crown.
A murmur OF, satisfaction ran
around the group, and such is the
power Of self assurance that three or
TOUR or them made O. motion to with
draw. But their spokesman fingered.
Il fear we must require some ac-
count Of you, citizen" he said, look
ing at me apologetically, land above
all Of your companion, who appears to
me TO be an artstocrat."
A aristocrat," I laughed, realiz-
stances I must take some other line
than that l had originally resolved
on. s 1t seems you cannot tell
maid from mistressl ohe is so lit
tie OF an aristocrat that she hopes to
be yivandiere to the regiment which
I join"
"Then, pardteu, you must Join
pressed toward her. Hey, my dear,
look at us-we're a likely set Of fell
lows. Wen be kind to you-we'll
do u best to make you happy" at
which his comrades laughed approx
ingly, and gazed at my compan-
ION WITH meaning n
we are already pledged &c 6 regi-
ment at Theuars. citizen" I protest
ed, pushing him back good naturedly,
though there was red murder IN my
heart.
Her clothing is not that of a
maid" said another staring at her.
Well, may not a maid don her
mistress gown?" I demanded. "Espe-
cially when she is leaving her for the
last timer"
They laughed again at that, but I
saw that suspicion had been aroused
faint indeed, but enough TO I'M
peril us. Any but these country louis
would have seen through the lie at
once-that Fearless creature Q -e-rs..
indeedl
What Is your business here, cIti-
zen2' Querfed the first speaker, after
a moments silence during which I
noted with uneasiness tina none of
them made any movement to retire.
we stopped here to rest" l ex-
planned. My comrade has injured her
ankle. We Will spend the night here,
since it is impossible for her to 20
farther. Your regiment passes here %
Undoubtedly, since 1t also goes to
Thouars."
We'll, we will join II as It passes.
Perhaps o will give us breakfast,
n permit my comrade to ride In one
"a WIG W1AOllE
Undoubtedly, Citizen chimed in
another, with a laugh; ''but Wen not
permit any such scarecrow as you to
ride with her. You'd prefer a hand
some soldier, wouldn't you, NY dear?''
AS you WILL" I agreed, laughing.
too, though with no small effort. but
you see how pale she is-she suffers
greatly. A good nights rest win
change all that. So good night, citi-
bens. Till tomorrow"
This time they appeared really sat
tsffed and started for the floor In q
body, But q sudden upgoar from with
out stopped them.
Name OF a dog!" yelled a hoarse
voice. Where are those blockheads?
All, they shall hang for this! Desert
ersl Traitorsi"
There was an uneasy movement
among the men. / saw that they had
reason to know and fear that voice.
In another instant a ferocious face
appeared in the doorway, its ewes
cleaning with rage.
What" 1t cried, and I saw a. sword
gleam in the air and descend with no
uncertain force on the heads and
shoulders. "Dallying here with a light
o'-lovel Is II thus you do your duty.
Is II thus you serve the Nation!
Hounds! Ours! III show you!" and he
drove them forth pell-mell into the
road. And who are you, citizen? ?" he
demanded, wheeling upon me, when the
last of them had disappeared.
II am on my way to join the army
at Thouars,' ] said.
And 10 and he jerked his thumb
toward my companion.
Spoil OF war / explained with a
wide smile. seeing he was too wise
10 swallow the other story.
He turned and stared at her for a
moment.
My word. you have a pretty taste.
citizen he said, and his ayes cleaned
iasciviously. II think / will release
you. my dear. from this dirty brute .
he added to her. with a leer he nc
doubt thought engaging. You'd rather
have a brave fellow Ike myself
wouldn't your Say. wouldn't your
and he approached and tweaked her
settled"
Citizen" I i~nterposed, II shall
have q word to say to that. She be-
He turned pom me a disdainful coun-
tenance.
Get out. you beast he said.
Don't you see we wish to b. relieved
Of you? You say you are going to
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