The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-09-15
THAT is accomplished! They viii never

That is accomplished! They will never
dare"
A single musket shot rang out; I
saw the smoke drift slowly up-and
at the same instant. madame staggered
and fell into her husbands outstretched
arms.
What is it," he cried. "oh. my love.
my love!"
Her eyes were open and she was
gazing fondly at him. She tried to
speak. but could not. Her lips were
decked with blood. Then her eyes
closed, her arm fell limp
1t had happened SO suddenly that
could scarcely realize it-could scarcely
believe it
Come" said Pasdeloup again. and
touched his masters arm.
M. lie Comte lifted TO us a face con
vulsed.
Got" he said hoarsely. "Pasde-
loup. I charge you with those two.
Save them! I can hold this mob
back"
Pasdeioup looked down at them.
They We're very near n climbing
steadily upward. With a strength al
boulder and sent it bounding toward
them down the slope. They saw it
coming and scattered: then, when a
second followed 1t, fed wildly.
Their advance had been checked for
the moment.
Pasdeloup turned back to his master.
Come" he said again.
M. lie Comte laid his wife's body
gently down and stood erect.
Il tell you l die here" he said, a
great calmness in his eyes. Twill you
obey me, Or will you not? I COM
mand you to guide these two to the
htdtnrr nllCn EnI Crnlfa nf'
TO an instant, Pasdelop's eyes
blazed defiance: then he glanced
down at the enemy. and his lips
curved into q smile. He bent his head
and set OF up the stream.
'Follow him. Tavernay,' commanded
NJ. IL Comte, seeing that / hesitated. II
would not save my life If / could-it ~
loathsomc TO me. I commend Charlotte
10 you. Go straight west TO The Bocage
there you will fEd friends. God bless
you"
Il cannot 60" / faltered. Il can
not leave you here. That would be
too cowardly!"
'Cowardly!" he achoed, facing
around upo me. 1T is 1 who have
| give a duty far more difficult. All.
here they come" haAadded. and ne
raised his pistols. COL beg Of you.
Be brave enough TO go!"
Il could do nothing but obey--no
other path lay open. With sinking
heart. 1 passed my arm again about
n waist or my companion, who
seemed only half conscious Of what
was happening. and followed Pasde-
loup, VINO was awaiting is impa-
tiently at a little distance.
This way" he said. and he turned
from the bed OF the torrent up the
steep hillside. l paused for one
backward glance at the friend I had
Abandoned; he was standing erect
pistols in hand-the tears blinded
me and l fastened on.
In a moment. Pasdeloup stopped.
do you see that ledge Of rock UP
yonder overgrown WITH vines?' he
asked. Put the vines aside and you
| will And behind them a very comfort
able cavern Enter it INC you are
safe"
And you?" 1 asked. seeing that he
turned away
Il? oh, 1 return to my master!"
and he was off in an instant.
1 looked after him, touched anew
by that dog-like devotion. until he dis
appeared from sight down the bed OF
the torrent. In the distance I heard
a rattle Of muskets; they were attack
ing them, then; and 1 pictured to my
self that gallant figure defying them
his eyes cleaning. a smile Upon his
lips. All. IL 1 were only there beside
him!
Then, suddenly, I became conscious
Of a dead weight on my arm. and
glanced down to see that Charlotte was
lying there unconscious.