The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-13

| dian, dld not trOt, as lHlS Aoloe uiu
besides, the difference between the
sound of horse with rider on It's
back and that of horse alone Is un
mistakable.
Jean crept out of his shelter. The
dawn was not far away, but the moon
still shone brilliantly. A horseman
was riding along the bank of the Peace
river.
Jean recognized Dufour, though tc
other eyes he would have been only
a silhouette against the snow. He
saw Dufour rein in his horse and lean
forward. They were within rs PAGES
Of each other.
Jean drew his revolver. "Garde'
toll" he shouted, and fired again and
again. Pierre's horse reared and
plunged down the steep bank of the
| Peace
The frightened animal regained its
feet and stood trembling upon the
brink of the descent. But Dufour was
lying upon his back in the river bed
There was no sign Of blood upon him,
and his horse had not been struck,
either. 1t 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 he realized that his vengeance
had 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 sprang
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 snail's
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. II love thee, Nanette. | will
60 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 it 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, radiant
image, exactly as when he had last
seen her. Jean turned his head slowly
away. Come, Nanette!" he said, and
rode back to where Pierre was lying.
AS he dismounted and kneeled at
Pierres side his enemy opened his
eyes. There was consciousness in
them. He looked into Jeans face.
Where am II" he muttered. 1T is
thou, Jean?"
yes, it is I, whom you tried to MUIR
der" answered Jean, slowly, without
bitterness.
Pierre looked at him in bewilder-
ment.
Il shall say nothing to Nanette,"
Jean whispered; and then the girl was
beside them, Jean! What has hap
pened?" she cried.
Your lover fell from his horse"
answered Jean, slowly.
my lover!" she exclaimed, and
came close to Jean. "Dost thou not
love me, them" she cried.
Jean looked DULY at her.
20, Jean, l could not wait for thee"
she sobbed. Hast thou not under.
stood? l knew that another day
would bring thee, but l wanted thee
sooner; and Pierre told me that he
would ride back with me along the
trail. And we did not see thee, and
so, last night, he left me in his cabin
and rode back through the darkness
to find If thou hadst lost the way.
Jean, didst thou-dare to think
loved Pierre?"
Jean was staring at her wildly. He
could not be mistaken in his interpre-
tation of her look of innocence and