The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-27

mistakable. . W
Jean crept out Of his shelter. The
uawn was not far away, but the moon
stlll shone brilliantly. A horsamsn
was riding along the bank Of the peaca
river. = 'Ao e'ce
Jean recognized Dufour, though to
other eyes he would have hean oni,,
a Silhouette against the snow. He
saw Dufour rein in his horse and Lon y
forward. They were within rs PAGES
OF each other. ~
lean drew his revolver. "Garda.
Toll" he shouted. and fired again ond
again. Pierre's horse reared and
plunged down the steep bank Of the
Peace. ~
The frightened animal regaiped its
rect and stood trembling upon the
Drink OF the descent. But Dufour was
lying upon his back in the river bed
mere was no sign Of blood upon him.
and bis horse had not been struck.
either. It had SHE'D at the sudden
sound OF the shots and fallen with its
rider.
Pierre was badly stunned, but
breathing. Jean stood over him, look
ing into his unconscious face. All at
once ne realized that his vengeance
mad slipped from him. He could not
kill Dufour now that the man was un.
conscious.
He caught the horses. Then he took
the unconscious man in his arms and
placed him in his saddle. He sprane
upon the back Of his own horse, and,
supporting his enemy with one arm
and guiding the reins Of the two
brides with the free hand, he began
the slow march toward Pierre's cabin.
The day dawned, and the sun rose.
flooding the vast plains with her gold.
en- light They travelled at a snairs
pace, the horses stopping from time to
time to crunch at the new grass that
was appearing where the snow was
melting beside the river. Once or
twice Jean dismounted and bathed his
enemy's face with snow-water.
1t was during one Of these halts
that Pierre began muttering.
Il love thee, Nanette,' he said, and
Jean clenched his fists and ground his
teeth together as he listened against
his will. Il love thee, Nanette. l will
go and meet him. He cannot be far
away"
So Pierre had been on his way to
kill him when Jean had intercepted
him! And this man, who had stolen
his bride and planned his death, was
lying helpless at his side!
Jean sat Pierre upon his horse
again, and the slow journey was re-
sumed. But 1t was we'll toward eve
ming when Pierre's cabin came into
view.
Jean set him down again and rode
up to the little shack. What a place
to take woman to live in! Nanette
must love Pierre greatly to be willing
to share that exile with him. The
thought no longer enraged him. He
had put the matter to the test Of fate,
and she had decided against him.
"Jean!"
Nanette had flung the door open and
was standing in front Of him. q radiant
image. exactly as when he had last
seen her. Jean turned his head slowly
away. Come, Nanette!" he said, and
ode back to where Pierre was lying.
AS he dismounted and kneeled at
2ierre's side his enemy opened his
eyes. There was consciousness In
hem. He looked into Jeans face.
Where am II" he muttered. 1T is
hou, Jean?"
Eyes, it is I, whom you tried to muir
ler," answered Jean, slowly, without
bitterness.
Pierre looked at him in bewilder-
nent.
Il shall say nothing to Nanette,"
can whispered; and then the girl was
eside them. Jean! What has hap
ened?" she cried.
"Your lover fell from his horse"
nswered Jean, slowly.
my lover!" she exclaimed, and
anne close to Jean. "Dost thou not
we me, them" she cried.
Jean looked DULY at her.
20. Jean, l could not wait for thee
he sobbed. Hast thou not under.
tood? knew that another day
ould bring thee. but / wanted thee
,oner: and Pierre told me that he
ould ride back with me along the
all. And we did not see thee, and
, last night, he left me in his cabin
i'd rode back through the darkness
, and II thou hadst lost the way.
IAN. didst thou-dare to think
we'd Pierre?"
Jean was staring at her wildly. He
,uld not be mistaken In his interpre
80 har Iook NJ innocence and