The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-10-20
CHARTER XXI.
THE PoNIARD AGAIN.

Not until a turn of the road hid me
from the village and I was satisfied
that was unobserved. did I turn
aside. and again sheltering myself
behind friendly hedge, gain the
thicket which stretched along the
ridge. Then. plunging into its cover,
fastened back with what speed ]
could toward the spot where / had
left my comrade. uneasily conscious
that I had fingered at the inn longer
than had thought to do, for the
sun told me that noon had come and
gone.
So 1t waa with an anxiety which
increased at every step that I broke
my way through the underbrush, I'M
needing the briers which clutched at
' my clothes and stung hands and face
-an anxiety which leaped to mortal
| anguish as l came out suddenly into
the little ampitheater where I had left
her and saw at a glance that 1t was
empty.
set down the hamper with a
groan OF agony and wiped the cold
sweat from my forehead. Fool, idiot
that I was to leave her unguarded for
so long a time Some one had
blundered into our retreat, had dis
covered her. had taken her prisoner.
What could I do? Where should I
look for her? This thicket doubtless
harbored many scoundrels seeking to
evade the draft. It was they who
had captured her. and / trembled. at
the thought. Perhaps even at this
moment
GOOD day, M. de Tavernay," called
a gay voice and I turned my head
mechanically, to see her emerging from
the thicket. her face alight. 80 you
have returned"
Thank God" cried. THANK God!
You are safe, Them?
SAFE" she repeated, cycling me a
little curiously. "But certainly. What
did you imagine?"
IT feared you had been captured
answered hoarsely. Carried away!
No matter, since you are SAFE"
II heard some one approaching"
she explained. still cycling me, "and de-
cided would better conceal myself
until I was certain 1t was you. That
was wise. wasn't it,"
Wise? Oh, yes. But I thought
I had lost you. I had stayed away SO
long"
"And in TRUTH" she went on, laugh
Ing again. II am not vet quite certain
that 1t is really you. What william
GUS countenance."
YES" said. flushing. "The-the
maid at the inn fixed II for me-
80" she cried. 1T was maid that
kept you--and pretty TIL be bound
To think that I have been worrying
about YOU"
You must be nearly starved" ]
said. anxious to change the subject.
II confess lively pleasure at the
sight Of that hamper. May explore
it?"
"At once" urged, and sat down a
little weakly, for was not yet wholly
recovered from the swift reaction from
that agony of fear.
She spread upon the grass the cloth
with which the hamper was covered
and uttered little cries of delight as
them before her.
why, you are a wizard, M. de Ia
vernay!" she cried, when the hamper
was empty. Here is a feast At for q
king. That maid must have fallen
desperately in love with you! A real
passion! Poor thing!"
| 7 posed as Republican" I ex-
anxious to serve the Nation"
Especially when 1t is personified by
a handsome and gallant fellow" she
amended. mo matter; am not jeal-
Gus. Indeed, I have no right to be
But wonder what the betrothed would
|
promise you that. And now. If you
will draw the corks. we are ready to
begin"
I remarked with irony, as got out my
knife.
ut is so much pleasanter than be-
ing dull and gloomy, is it notT" She
agreed.
you remind me of a red Indian,
continued, as drew the corks
dancing around his captive and bury
ing a barb in his flesh from time t.
time, just to see his anguish"
WELL" she retorted, II am going t.
treat you as no red Indian ever treated
a captive. Sit down and share the
feast"
"But I have already eaten,", pro.
tested. Nevertheless sat down in the
place she indicated.
Hours ago"
Besides, my fright when I found
; you gone killed any return OF appetite
Were you really frightened?"
HORRIBLY"
81 know what you need-a draught
I. Of wine"
TT you will drink first" agreed.
She raised the bottle to her lips, ther
handed II to me.
. "You were right" said, as I put Il
down. THAT was really what need
ed. My heart is bounding again
though perhaps not wholly from tn,
wine."
She smiled and looked at me.
Whatever the cause, am glad Il
see you more like yourself. And nov
you will eat--I detest eating alone"
II will try" / said, but I confess
found eating a difhcult task with tina
vision just across from me.
did you learn where we were?" sh,
asked at last.
THE village Is called Dairon. w,
are about four leagues from Thouars
where the Blues are in force. w,
must get past them somehow to Cou
langes. a league beyond, where w,
!, shall And friends"
A And we must wait until tonight t
T go forwardT
IT'LL twilight, at least"
1--WE saur.o get to Coulanges tonight
them"
, "Yes," / answered with a sinking
heart at the thought that my dream
: was to end so soon. IF all goes well
). we should reach Coulanges by mid
: night"
r "You actually say that in a tone o
i dependency"
"And do you see in It nothing to re
/ greet, mademoiselleT
ITO regret? Assuredly not! Shal
!. you rexret being In safety again."
!. as1laY GER ~ NOT sfho rvvoraf fhinn fha