The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-09-15

, At last I was able to sit up and look
about me. The hill on which we were
stood at the junction of two little
valleys.
They must come by one of those"
continued Pasdeloup. I'VE will wait
until they pass"
Blu why did they not wait for us in
the wood" 1 questioned. Perhaps M.
lie Comte gave me up when l did not
follow him"
No" said Pasdeloup. They waited:
but they were discovered and forced to
fee"
Discovered? % / repeated. despairing-
ly.
AT least a body of peasants passed
over the spot where they had stopped.
They may not have been seen"
breathed again.
And they will pass this way?"
They must. IL they keep to the cover
OF the woods"
They will. OF course. do that" / said.
and strained my eyes down each of the
valleys in turn.
Our position commanded a consider
able view Of the surrounding country,
but the chateau was hidden from our
sight by a low spur Of hill which ran
down into the valley at u left. l fam
cied ] could still see in the sky the
reflection of the light from the burning
tower, but a m later 1 saw IL was
the sum-, just peeping over the trees 10
the east.
Then I began TO cEafe at the delay,
for it seemed to me that we were vast
ing time. ! glanced at my companion
and found that seemingly h. had to-
tally forgotten me.
"~Pasdeloup." l said at last. ARE you
quite sure that NJ. lie Comte must pass
this nill?"
He cooked up with a start and a
frown.
Yes he answered karsh,y. and 1
saw that he himself was troubled at
the delay. ITO north and south are
only open fields, where people are
working, and many houses. He could
not hope TO pass that way unseen, es-
know this. He will know that he
must follow this valley to the west.
In this way he can keep TO he shell
ter OF the hills until he reaches he
valley Of the Dive. Beyond that Is
the Bocage."
you are right" / agreed: 1T is
the Bocage he will seek to reach.
There he Will be safe. But perhaps
he has already passed"
Pasdeloup shook his head.
Impossible. We came by a short
er way which the women could not
have followed. Besides. he said he
would wait for you. 1t is that which
is delaying him. He fancies you are
lost somewhere in the woods down
yonder. / shall have to seek him."
and he rose to his feet with sudden
resolution.
Then he stopped and stood for an
instant staring own the valley.
There they are!" he cried. There
they are!"
sprang to my feet and followed
with my eyes his pointed finger. For
| nv. Attan ann
the tanSle Of trees and underbrush;
then / caught a movement among the
trees and three figures came out into
a little glade below US.
The women came forward slowly
and with difficulty, as though al
ready weary. M. lie Comte paused 10
look back
You were right" / said. touched
to the heart. HE is still looking
for me-" Blu Pasdeloup had placed
his hand behind his ear and was lis
tening intently, his face OF a sudden
rigid as stone.
They have waited for you too
long" he said roughly. They are
followed" and he plunged down the
hillside toward them, 1 after him.
M. lie Comte had given an arm to
each of the women n was hurrying
them forward. encouraging each in
turn. Not until we were almost upon
them did he hear us; then he snatched
out his pistols and whirled toward US.
M. lie Comte!" I cried. "Madame!'
but my eyes were only for that other
face, grey and dreary in the cold light
!, OF the morning. She had been staring
llistlessly at the ground. but at sound
of my voice she started round upon
me. her face white as death. and
t clutched Madame for support.
t 'Tavernay!" cried NJ. lie Comte. a
great light in his face. "And Pasde-
loup! All. l understand now why you
| lingered!" and he held out a hand to
We thought the flames had caught
you!"
| Come" said Pasdeloup. This is
l no time for words"
, you are right" agreed his master
"Tavernsy, I again entrust Charlotte
to YOU"
; 1 crossed to her and took her hands
) In mine and drew her to me.
|, II thought you dead" she murmured
raising trimming eyes to mine. 81
thought you had stayed too long and
' l felt how she was trembling.
I Come cried Pasdeloup again
q there Is a hiding place, If we cal
D only reach It," and he glanced anxious.
iy over his shoulder.
v 1 drew my o forward. my arm
I still about her.
I'VE are going to escape" I muir
Il INJURED IN ner ear. we are gong Il
be very happy. God intends it."
h looked up into my eyes an
: smiled tremuiously. I could CUES,
= how near she was to absolute exhaus
3 ton, and did my best to " her. Gu,
way for a time led over a smooth mead
ow, then we plunged into the rocky BET
of a brook. which mounted so steepl!
s that our progress was very 5.ow. TIL,
way grew more Ind more rought, grea
boulders blocked the path, and OF
q either side the banks Of the torrent ros
v abruptly to a height Of many feet.
4 Then, from far down the valley be
hind us, came the bay of a hound.
n NJ, lie Comte stopped n listened.
n II know that bay" he said. "Tha
is Roland. What car he be hunt
ing?"
- "Hc is hunting his master" answers
Pasdeloup grimly. "Goujon devise
that trick"
n "Goujon.' murmured NJ. lie Comts
At always Goujon."
h. 1T was he trained the dog" add
ed Pasdeloup. Come. We are los
ing time"
"The women cannot so much farthe
10 along such a road as this" his mas
1t ter arn him.
d I'VE have not far to go-jus