Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-08-20

I Careless iaCKeyS! 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 fas.enings, the others dashed up;
my lady iisi.tiy motioned them on.
Wen soon overtake youl Don't
waiti" Unquestioning, they obeyed;
though the commandant, to whom
few moments later she delivered q
similar injunction. brought his men to
a halt and pronered his services.
Whereupon the Marquis repeated the
girls words more sharply; reddening.
the officer wheeled and started TO ride
on.
= can't find anything wrong here!"
Puzzled. the Marquis Strengthened
But her eyes were directed ahead
and she pointed with her whip 10 a
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 Fulbb. Let US Jake II.
A light seemed suddenly to break on
her companion. and he sprang airily to
his saddle. AS my Lady whilst" gal
/ lantly
Then call to the commandant and
! tell him Wen meet them there!"
The Marquis obeyed. and. without
awaiting answer. or demur from the
officer in charge of the guard, the girl
licked her horse and sent him over
a 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 ACCESSIBILITY of that route. and
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 yentured 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,
| branch like the arm of Titan reached
out to seize. but adroitly she swayed
| from its grasp and only tho twlgs and
leaves touched lightly the bent figure.
Ny lord. however. they struck sharp
| ~ and At the sudden smart and
1 ra1Hlr ttyuffrr of Fa1l4nor hnhfnd
! frowningly he drove his horse harder.
The tete-a-tete he had naturally ex-
! peeted from her request to pursue the
! loneiier way promised now not to mate
rlalize; the idea that she was fleeing,
be pursuing, possessed him, The for
| est, n taugie OF shrubs and strange
creepers. was the scene OF the iGyl;
she, sprite Of the greenwood, danced
| illusiyely through the maze. AT length
when my lord had begun to grow
weary OF vainly endeavoring 10 over
take her. fate favored his efforts;
brought to a standstiil, at tha edge
OF a 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
Il hope 1t is not in your mind to at
tempt TO cross" he went on. shade
of petulanee in his accents.
She urged her horse forward; 1t
stopped.
Elise! | beg of you, II is danger
Gus; better go back, and aroundp
But the girl set her red lips. raised
her whip. and brought it down hard
| The animal sprang into the foam;
| breasting the current. il slipped once
or twice. recovered, and. after an eff
/ fort, managed to reach the bank OPP
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 Az 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
errors daughter had now the grace to
await him, he rejoined her. disap-
proval on his face. reproaeh in his
eyes. Yet still did the girl remain un.
conscious Of her lovers wounded sen
sihnities. 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.