The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-11-03
CHAPTER XIV.
THE DRAGONS DEN.

THE DRAGONS DEN.
The rush OF the intruders. sudden
and overwhelming, drove me back
from the door, but 7 managed to hold
my place. pistol in hand, before my
love, too dazed for the moment to
do aught but stare at them and curse
tho fortune which had brought us to
this desperate pass. But I had q part
to playa part I had rehearsed more
than once for Just such an emer-
gency as this-and I got my wits
back by a supreme effort, while the
newcomers stu stood gaping in a
semi-circle about us.
Well, citizens" I said, trying to
achieve a smile with but Indifferent
success, "one would have thought you
were taking a fortress by assault"
We are set to patrol this road"
explained n of them. I'VE saw this
light and determined to find out what
was going forward here"
I 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 I had thought.
Quite right" I commented, smil-
ing this time in earnest, IT suspect
ed as much. That is why I opened so
republic ~here-only this honest old
fellow, this woman and myself. So
using This e drink the health Of the
nation" and I tossed their spokes-
man a silver crown.
murmur OF satisfaction ran
around the group. and such is the
nHpyar Nf COLI 49,
-FOUR OF them made a motion to with
draw. But their spokesman fingered.
Il FEAR we must require some &C
count OF you, Citizen" he said, look
Ing at me alphabetically, land above
all Of your companion. who appears to
me to be an aristocrat."
An aristoerat" I laughed. realiz-
stances I must take some other line
h a that I had originally resolved
on. so it seems you cannot tell
maid from mistressl she Is SO lit
tie Of an artstocrat that she hopes to
be yiyandiere to the regiment which
I join"
"Ehsn =-a.e. mug. Join
pressed toward her. "Hey. my dear,
look at us-we're a likely set OF fell
lows. Well be kind to you-we'l
do u best to make you happy;'' at
which his comrades laughed approx
ingly, ana gazed at my compan-
lon with meaning glances.
W are already pledged to a regi-
ed, pushing him back good naturally,
though there was red murder in my
heart.
Her clothing is not that of a
maid said another staring at her.
We'll, 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 peerless creature a servant,
indeed!
What is your business here, citi-
emf" queried the first speaker, after
a moments silence during which I
noted with uneasiness that none of
them made n movement to retire.
We stopped here to rest" I ex-
planned. MY comrade has injured her
ankle. We will spend the night here,
since 1t is impossible for her to 70
farther. Your regiment passes here?"
Undoubtedly, since 1t also goes to
Thouars."
We'll, we will join 1t as 1t passes.
Perhaps you will give us breakfast,
and permit my comrade to ride in one
of the wagons"
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, my dear?u
you will" I agreed, laughing.
too. though with no small effort. "But
you see how pale she is-she suffers
\ 0ranftyr aE ranI ~l-Ik- -.
change all that. So good night, citi-
bens. Till tomorrow"
This time they appeared really sat-
isfied and started for the door In a
body. But a sudden uproar from with
out stopped them.
Name OF a dog!" yelled a hoarse
voice. Where are those blockheadsS
All, they shall hang for this. Desert
ers! Traitorsl"
Ihefe Was an uneasy movement
among the men. I saw hat they had
reason to know and fear that voice
In another instant q f%erocious face
appeared In the doorway, its eyes
cleaning with rage.
What" IT cried, n / saw a sword
CLEAN In the air and descend with ne
uncertain force on the heads an6
shoulders. "Dallying here with a light.
glove! Is 1t thus you do your dntv
Is 1t thus 0 serve the Nation,
.0aiias. Sass SSe-s you, And r,
drove them forth pell-mell into tn,
road. And who are you, citizen p, h,
demanded, wheeling upon me, when tn,
last of them had disappeared.
! am on my way to join the arm,
at Thouars," l said.
And she?' and he jerked his thumb
toward NJ companion.
spoil OF war;" I explained with
wide smile, seeing he was too wis
to swallow the other story.
He turned and stared at her for
moment.
MY word, you have a pretty taste
citizen" he said. and his eyes gleame
lasciyiously. IT think I will releas
you, my dear. from this dirty brute.
he added to her, with a leer he Il
! doubt thought engaging. you'd rathe
have a brave fellow like myse,
, wouldn't you? Say. wouldn't you?
2 n he approached and tweaked Ia
, ear. "of course YOU would. So it
settled"
Citizen" / interposed, II sha
have word to say to that. She b
He turned upon me a diadainful cour
tenance.
Get out, you beast. he sal,
Don't o see we wish to be relieve
: Of you? You say you are going
I II Fny ~v.- 4 MO- 49, EAA4 &1EEL