The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-10-13
acknowledgements

| Couiu judge. east anu west, anu
turning our faces westward, We hur-
ried along it, anxious to put all chance
of capture far behind.
I The night was sweet and clear, and
my heart sang with the very Joy OF
| living. I felt strong, vigorous, ready
to face any emergency. My recent en-
counter had left no souvenir more
serious than a tender throat, and as i
thought Of 1t. wondered again at the
resolution which had nerved that soft
and delicate arm to drive the blade
home in the back OF my antagonist.
She, too. had proved herself able to
meet a crisis bravely. and to rise to
whatever heroism II demanded.
Ain. IL she only loved me! l might
yet find some way to evade with honor
the unwelcome match my father had
arranged for me. But she did not; 30
there was an end of that. must go
/ on to the end, even as I had promised.
But it was a bitter thing.
why that profound sigh. M. de Tav-
ernay?" asked my comrade, looking up
at me with dancing eyes, quite In her
old manner. Surely we are in no
present danger?"
| II was thinking. not OF the present
but Of the future, mademoiselle," an
swered.
"You think, then, that danger lies be-
| fore us?"
Undoubtedly"
but why cross the bridge till we
come to it?"
BECAUSE" I answered, "since the
bridge must be crossed. It is as well to
do 1t now as any time"
But perhaps It may be avoided-one
can never tell"
mo-" said gloomily, at is destiny
not to be escaped"
"You Brighten mel" she cried, but
when glanced at her, she looked any
thing but frightened What is It that
awaits us? Let me know the worst
cit was OF myself I was speaking" /
explained.
Another instance of your selflshness.
Are you going to face the enemy and
bid me run away? Depend upon it. I
shall think twice before obeying."
This is an enemy which you will
never be called upon to face mademoi-
selle. I was thinking Of that moment
moment not far distant--when have
placed you in the hands OF your friends
and must bid you adieu."
"To turn your face southwark toward
Poitiers? Inconstant man. did not
think you so eager"
mo, mademoiselle; turn back to
DANCE, as you know, on an errand of
vengeance, and then"
"To Poitiers on an errand Of love.
To the hero his reward"
"Say rather on an errand Of duty"
corrected.
"It will become an errand Of love
also, once you have seen the lady
what is her manner"
mo matter" I said shortly, and
strobe on in silence.
IN. de Tavernay." she said. in a pro-
voking voice, keeping pace with me,
II should like to make you a wager"
What is itr' / asked, none too
gently.
THAT my prediction will come true"
she answered, laughing. THAT you
will fall madly in love with this lady
oh, desperately in love with her. and,
remember this youthful passion only
with a smile Come, the stake shall
be anything you like!"
This time, / was thoroughly angry.
Even IL she did not love me, she had
no right to wound me, to stab me
deliberately, maliciously, with a smile
on her lips. She had no right to draw
amusement from my sufferings. to tor
ture me me just for the pleasure Of
watching my torment. So Quickened
my pace and strobe on in silence. my
hands clenched, trying to stifie the
pain at my heart.
A touch on my arm aroused me.
"Ciel!" gasped q voice. and I turned
to see my companion still at my side,
indeed, but speLt and breathless. did
you fancy these shoes of yours were
en-league boots?" she questioned,
when she could speak. cor did you de-
sire to abandon me out here In this
wilderness?"
TT would be no more than you de-
serve!" retorted; then, as / remem-
bered how fast had been walking and
pictured her accomplishing struggle to
keep pace with me. relented. Pardon
me-" said, humbly. Il am brute.
Come; sit here in the shadow Of this
tree and rest. We are beyond danger
Of pursuit-besides, no one can see us
here"
She permitted me to lead her to the
shadow and sat down. leaned
against the tree and stared modify
along the road.
What is 1t, monsieur" she asked
at last. "Still brooding on the future"
mo, mademoiselle," I answered.;
Since II must be endured I shall
waste no more thought upon It,"
THAT is WISE" she commented"
THAT is what / have advised from the
first Besides. you should remember
Il is when troubles are approaching
that they appear most terrible"
you are no doubt right"
"And them" she added. "One grows
morbid when one thinks too much of
ones self"
TT was not wholly with myself was
occupied this time" said; cor, at least
with myself only in relation to you.
was thinking how unfit am to take
care OF you; how little merit the trust
which M. lie Comte reposed In me when
he gave you into my keeping. I per-
NIT you to limp along behind me with
bruised and wounded feet until you
sink exhausted; lead two scoun-
drels, whose pursuit I had foreseen,
straight to your hiding place, and
would have persisted but for your
courage and address; stride along
at ton speed until you are ready to
die of fatigue. show myself fool,
a boor, and yet expect you to feel some
kindness for me. Mademoiselle, here
after you will command this expedi-
ton; I am merely your servant; am
at your orders"
very WELL" she responded instant
iy. II accept. My first order is that
you sit here beside me-" and she patted
the spot with her hand.
"a soldier does not sit in the pres
ence of his commander" protested.
What. Rebellion already" she
cried. "A fine beginning, truly"
I sat down, little giddy at this
unexpected kindness.
"And now" she continued severely,
you will repeat after me the following
words: Madempiselle de Cham
bray"
'Mademoiselle de Chambray---"
- Ixx ,csNI -