The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1915-03-18
CHAPTER XII.
Jaequeline.

CHAPTER XII.
T, JaequeIine.
The stars we're still shining when |
awoke In my blanket, lighted . candle:
and stepped into the wooden tub Of
salt water outside the tent.
| shaved by candlelight, dressed in
my worn rding-breeches and jacket.
then. candle in hand. began cropping
about among the faded bits of finery
and furnished properties until found
the silver-scaled swimming-tights once
worn by the girl Of whom we had
heard 30 much.
The stars had begun to fade when I
stepped out through the dew-soaked
clover carrying in one hand q satchel
containing the swimming suit. in the
other gun case, In which, carefully
oiled and doubly cased In flannel, re-
posed my only luxury-my breech-load-
Ing shotgun
The Lizard was standing on his door.
sill when l came up; he returned my
greeting sullenly. his keen eyes OF a
sea-bird rowing over me from head to
foot. A rumpled and sulky yellow cat,
evidently just awake. sat on the door
step beside him and yawned at inter
walls. The pair looked as though they
had made a night Of It,
you took my letter last night?" |
asked.
Yes"
Was there an answer for me?"
Yes"
So | took the letter and read it-a
formal line saying the Countess de
Vassart would expect me at 1--WE that
afternoon.
Look here. Lizard" said. 81 in
tend to be friends with you, and |
mean to make you look on me as a
friend, It's to my advantage and to
yours"
ITO mine?" he inquired. sneeringly.
And this is the first thing | want"
! continued; and without further pre-
face unfolded our plans concerning
Jacqueline.
"Entendu." he said. drawing the
word. SIS that all?"
mo. aot all. want you to be my
| LHtbbsusVI NltIie vi Hctu. WANT
you To be absolutely faithful to me-"
And what is there In this, to my ad-
vantage. m'sieu!"
This. for one thing" said, caro-
lessly, picking up my gun case. |
slowly drew out the barrels OF Damas-
Gus. then the wood stock and fore
end. assembling them lovingly: for 1t
was the finest weapon | had ever seen,
and 1t was breaking my heart to give
It away.
Tho poacher's eyes began to glitter
as | fitted the double bolts and locked
breech and barrel with the extension
rib Then ! snapped on the fore end:
and there lay the gun In my hands. a
fowling piece At for an emperor.
Give IT." muttered the poacher.
huskily.
Take 1t. my friend the Lizard" l
replied. smiling down the wrench in
my heart.
There was "A silence; then the poach.
er stepped forward. and, looking me
square In the eye. flung out his hand
! struck my open palm smartly against
his. In the Breton fashion: then We
clasped hands.
"Strike!" he cried: take my friend.
ship II you want 1t. on this condition
what ] am Is my own concern. not
yours Don't interfere. msieu: II
would he useless. | should never be.
tray you. but might XIII you. Don't
Interfere. But II you care for the good
will OF man like me. take It, and
when you desire "A service from me.
tell me, and III not fail you. by Sainte
Eline OF Paradise!"
He turned on his heel. kicking on
his sabots on the doorsill Break
bread with me: | ask It" he said. grutf.
| ly. and walked before me into the
house
From the ashes on the hearth y
spiral OF smoke curled The yellow
cat walked In and sat down. contem.
plating the ashes.
Slowly saffron light nlied the
room. Jacqueline awoke In the dim
| bed
She swathed herself IN n blanket and
sat up. looking Mt mo sieepiiy.
You came to soc mo swim" she
said.
And I've brought you u nshs oil.
yer skin TO swim in" replied. point.
Ink At the satchel
She cast n swift glance at her IA.
Their. who, with the gun on his knees,
sat AS though hypnoti,cd by the beauty
| OF iH workmanship. Her bright eyes
fell on the gun. she understood In 4
flash.
Turn your back" she cried.
| wheeled about and sat down on
the settle beside the poachcr. There
came a light ,hud OF small. bare fest
on the stone door. then silence The
poacher looked up.
She's gone to the ocean, he said:
she has the mania for baths-Iikc
you English" And he fell to rubbing
the gunstook vtih dirty thumb