The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-08-07
CHAPTER VIII.
Dreams of the Night.

Jacqueline and I were together, the
only human beings within a score Of
miles. We were seated side by side
in the sleigh at which the dogs pulled
steadily.
The mystery of Jacqueline's rescue
by Captain Dubois had been a simple
one The young man with the mus
tache was a certain Philippe Lacroix,
well known to Dubois, a member of a
good family but Of dissOlute habits
just such one as Leroux found it
convenient to attach to his political
fortunes by timely financial aid.
There was no doubt that he had
been in New York with Leroux. and
that they had Matched the plot to kid
nap JacQueline after l had been struck
down.
Fortunately for us, Lacroix, igno-
rant, as was Leroux himself, that the
two ships had exchanged roles and du-
ties, took JacQueline aboard the
Sainte-Vierge, where Captain Dubois,
who was watching in anticipation of
Just such a scheme, seized him and
marched him at pistol point to the
house on Paul street. in which Lacroix
was kept prisoner by friends of Du-
bois until the Satnte-Yierge had sailed.
Dubois left us at st. Boniface with
q final caution against Leroux, and
proceeded along the shore with his
bags of mail; but first he had a salts
factory conversation with III. Danton
concerning US.
DantOn, who of course knew Jacque-
line, took the opportunity of assuring
me that her father, though a recluse
and misanthrope who had not left
his seigniory for forty years, was said
to be a man of heart and would I'M
dOubtedly forgive us. He was clearly
under the impression that we were
married, and since Dubois had not en-
lightened him on this point did not
do so.
81. Danton had his sleigh and eight
hne-Iooking dogs ready for US. pur-
chased these outright in order to carry
no hostages. We took with us several
days supply of food, a little tent,
sleeping bags and frozen fish for the
animals.
1t was strange situation. 1t might
easily have become an impossible one.
But it was sacred comradeship, refined
above the love of friend for friend. of
lover for lover, by her faith, her help
leSsness and need.
I think that she liked best to sit be-
side me in the narrow sleigh and lean
against my shoulder, her physical
WEAKNESS the reflection of her spirit
ual unrest She did not want to think,
and she wanted me to shield her.
But even in this solitude fear drove
me on, for l knew that a relentless
enemy followed hard after us. camp
ing where we had camped and reading
the miles between US by the smolder-
ing ashes of our old fires.
At nightfall I would pitch the tent
for Jacqueline and place her sleeping
bag within. and while she slept would
lie by the huge fire near the dogs, and
we kept watch over her together.
So passed three days and nights.
The fourth short day drew toward
its end a little after four o'clock ]
remember that we camped late, fol-
the sun had already dipped to the Level
horizon and was casting black, mile
long shadows across the snow.
I hammered in the pegs and built &
II1S viii III DOuSAASr Qudu
tity of wood sufficient to last unit
morning Then Jacqueline made tea
and we ate our supper and crept into
our sleeping bags and lay down.
I could not sin my mind The I'm
certainty ahead of US, the knowledg,
of Leroux behind tried me soreiy, anC
only Jacqueline's need sustained m.
courage.
As I was on the point OF droppfn,
asleep heard lone wolf howl from
afar, and instantly the pack took VI
the cry. One of the dogs. a great
fawny beast who led them, crep
toward me and put his head down b
mine. whimpering. The rest roame
ceaselessly about the fire, answerin
the Wells challenge with deep. vol
like baying.
l drew my pistols from the pocket
OF my fur coat 1t was pleasant t
handle them. They gave me assul
ance. We were two fugitives IN a ian
where every mans hand might
against US. but at least ! had th
means to guard my own.
Jacqueline glided out of the tel
and knelt beside me, putting her arm
about fine dogs neck and her hea