The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-12-04

Careless lackeyS! Let US see! Ana
grasping the bride Of her horse, pulled
In his own, and drew both animals to
a standstill at the side Of the road.
As he dismounted to examine straps
and fastenings, the others dashed up;
my lady lightly motioned them on.
"Well soon overtake you! Don't
wait!" UnQuestioning. they obeyed;
though the commandant. to whom a
few moments later she delivered a
similar injunction. brought his men to
halt and proffered his services.
Whereupon the Marquis repeated the
girls words more sharply; reddening,
the officer wheeled and started to ride
on.
Il can't find anything wrong here!"
Puzzled, the Marquis Strengthened.
But her eyes were directed ahead
and she pointed with her whip to
break in the woody barrier to the right
"a path that, springing from the
roadside, seemed to plunge into the
very heart of the labyrinth.
Look! the short cut!-that would
bring us half an hour before them to
the ruins! Let US take it,"
A light seemed suddenly to break on
her companion, and he sprang airily to
his saddle. "As my Lady willis" gal
lautly.
Then call to the commandant, and
tell him We'll meet them there!"
The Marquis obeyed, and, without
awaiting answer, or demur from the
officer in charge Of the guard, the girl
flicked her horse and sent him over
low bush into the narrow way.
Fairly in the path, she rode fast,
and pressing hard behind, my lord
soon found reason for doubt as to
the advisability Of that route, and a
suspicion Of regret at his own assent
to the departure from the main thor
oughfare. AS their surroundings grew
wilder and the slender green figure
fitted more and more recklessly be-
fore him, he even ventured to voice
his misgivings-advise greater care.
A shake Of the fair head was all he
received for answer and, regardless
Of the increasing roughness Of the
way, she continued to sweep on, now
uphill, then down, avoiding by quick
turn one obstacle here, leaping anoth-
er there! From a black ambush, a
branch like the arm Of a Titan reached
out to seize, but adroitly she swayed
| from its grasp and only the twigs and
leaves touched lightly the bent figure.
My lord, however, they struck sharp
ly, and at the sudden smart and a
quick realization Of falling behind.
frowningly he drove his horse harder.
The tete-a-tete he had naturally ex-
pected from her request to pursue the
lonelier way promised now not to mate
rialize; the idea that she was fleeing,
he pursuing, possessed him. The for
est, a tangle of shrubs and strange
creepers, was the scene of the idyl;
she, sprite of the greenwood, danced
illusively through the maze. At length
when my lord had begun to grow
weary of vainly endeavoring to over
take her, fate favored his efforts;
brought to a standstill, at the edge
of torrent, the object of his pur-
suit.
Are you mad, Elise?" A shadow
on his brow, the Marquis rode down.
She made no reply; regarded only
the water.
"I hope it is not in your mind to at
tr ha chodn
Of petulance in his accents.
She urged her horse forward; 1t
stopped.
Elise! l beg of you! 1t is danger
Gus; better go back, and around!"
But the girl set her red lips, raised
her whip, and brought 1t down hard.
The animal sprang into the foam;
breasting the current, 1t slipped once
or twice, recovered, and, after an ef-
fort, managed to reach the bank op-
posite My Lord-less blithely than
he had first embarked on the adven-
ture-followed; the cold waters surged
around, and he almost expected to be
swept away. At length, however,
chilled by the icy touch Of the torrent
and somewhat more out Of humor. he
found himself on the other side. Near
the top Of the bank, where the Gov
ernors daughter had now the grace to
await him, he rejoined her, disap-
proval on his face, reproach in his
eyes. Yet still did the girl remain un-
conscious Of her lovers wounded SEN
sibilities; her own eyes, like stars be-
meath the furry Of hair. were turned,
not to the young man, but away, to-
ward gaunt-looking ruin that had
suddenly uplifted itself. as II by magic,