Cheyenne record., 1917-03-29
CHAPTER TX.
Sacrifice.

vile rode his sorrel mare into Corydon
pext day and drew rein at Patrice
O'Bannon's door. =.
Toinette, in the early morning sun
shine, was rapturous bird-song made
into woman, a flower dew-bright,
carol, an embodiment of earth's re-
joiclng. She welcomed Elliott with a
smile that made him wonder, with
ready vanity, If he had not been mis-
taken in the rebuff she had once ad-
ministered. II he had pressed her
more hardily-did she really love Lar
rence7 All. If he could only drive the
man out of Corydonl The black beast
Of his jealous hatred rode on his back
and he went straight to his purpose: !:
II have sad news for you, SToinette."' :"
The smile faded from her face and
she looked at him with slow alarm
growing in her eyes.
ut is very hard for me to tell you.
1t is about Larrence."
"David!" The name was wrung
from her like a gasp.
II cannot believe the truth myself.
You remember that told you once
that I suspected Laurence Of being in
league with the Engllshman, Cranmer?
I have learned the certain truth since
-Cranmer has fed and Laurence
is left to finish his work-the work Of
spy"
"Who says this?"
captain Bullitt at Louisville told
me. It will be common talk in another
day. do not know what to do.
have not slept all night. Only one
thing has been clear to me-my love
for you." .
"What part has that in thisr she
asked proudly.
Everything. It is because love
you that have come to you now. L
you-told me once that could not
hope ever to win you. tried to turn
you against the man I feared. But
I know now that my love for you Is
stronger than mere desire. want
you to be happy, even though suffer.
And SO have come to tell you first of
all. No one here knows that Laurence
is in England's service. Let it be
known, and his life Is forfeited. 1
have come to give you the greatest
Si1l tiul 40 III po"SAs 6AVS Joo
the life Of this man. Warn him, and
there is yet time for him to escape.
shall be happy if, you are happy.
Only remember that I loved you, Toi-
uctte!"
The halting sentences seemed to
come from the depths Of his soul. He
finished and stood before her humbly,
his head bowed.
"God bless you," she said very
softly.
She spilled the precious ointment of
the dross of his heart. He raised his
head and thanked her mutely, while
his pulses leaped with exultation. She
had believed him! But would she
warn Laurence? He scarcely dared to
hope as he whispered:
"If you will warn him at
midnight my mare will be at his door,
ready to ride"
But the girl answered in n voice that
seemed to come from beyond the
grave. so full of souls agony it was
"There Will be no need I
shall give him up. Oh, David,
David. David!"
He turned to hide thu mocking
smile that lighted up his face.
The girls face had grown pale US
the white rose she held In her hand.
But she forced herself to go on-un-
hesitatingly. but in n voice from which
all life had fed. so weighted with un-
utterable anguish it was:
you had better inform Judge
Boone at once"
"You don't understand, Toinette. I
shall not raise a finger against Lar
renee. He shall never say I am re-
sponsible for his exposure. You alone
in Corydon know his secret. 1t is for
you to decide"
60" she said quietly. II will do my
duty"
Have I done mine. Toinette? Do
you forgive meT
"Yes, you have done WE'LL" she an
swered mechanically.
II may see you again7 Oh, Toi-
nette. let me still hopel"
II cannot answer now. But" her
was unable to finish. But through the
young doctors mind there flashed the
belief that he would yet make her his.
She would forget Larrence-only let
time heal the wound! He raised her
hand to his lips, flung himself upon
the red mare and was gone.
To Toiaette the next minutes were
an unreal procession in which a girl
named Antoinette O,Bannon moved
strangely upon her task, dry-eyed,
steady-voiced. She saw this girl 60
down the lane to the tavern, where
Ike Blackford sat deep In book Of
law; heard her ask him to go with her
to David's store; saw him bow with
unQuest1oning courtesy: ssw them