The Crittenden press., 1920-01-23

ears. fiat with the head. Then Hilary
saw the horse rear and the shOd hoofs
uprlse. Then, somehow. he caught
the relns and leaped for the shelving
bank, and missed.
He lost his fOothold, but he clung
to the rcins, while the horse plunged
and reared, each jerk almost tearing
his arms from their sockets. Now he
was swept against the branches of the
trees that oyerhung the road, and
blinded by the swishlng twigs and
boughs. now the preclpice was under
him. and the gorge below, where the
logs cracked and thundered rs they
battered their way down the river.
He saw the girl cl!nglng to the saddle,
then 10 the beasts name; he tried 10
reach her with his arms, but he could
not stop the holtng animal; and then
he was flung free, and the riderless
horse went gallOplng down the road
toward st. Boniface.
He must have been stunned for a
few moments. for when he opened his
eyes he found himself lying upon n
ledge little distance from the top Of
the steep bank. On the same ledge
was Madeleine Rosny clinglng TO a
swaylng sapllng that overhung the
river. and trying to rise.
Hilary scrambled to his feet. TO find
that, in spite of painful bruises, he
was unlnjured. He gave Madeleine
his hands and pulled her out of the
branches; and they stood looking at
each other.
"Your horse bolted," explained
Hilary. 81 am sorry you did not know
about the dynamiting."
At his words n look of fear came
upon her face; and then 1t hardened
and her gray eyes flashed nngrly.
"You have saved my life!" she
cried. you have saved me. and |
wish you were IA thousand miles away.
wish had never seen you"
There Is no need to let that trouble
YOU. MademOlselle RoSny," answered
Hilary, stung into scorn by her In
gratitude. There Is enough room in
| this country for both OF us. II you
will let me help you up the bank, no
doubt you can find your way home.
| assure you that | have no intention
Of intruding on you further"
Ills scorn seemed to beat down her
anger. She looked at him for the first
time without hatred.
why have you come Into my life?
| Why do you begin TO inlay n part In
IT." she whispered. as II In terror.
Suppose YOU let me assist you M
/ the bank. Mademoiselle, before | an
swer your question. We can hardly
discuss that matter here" said Hilary
She seemed 10 recover her self-pos
session. "There Is no need to answer
me-" she replied scornfully. Never
theleSs she permitted him TO brush the
dust from her skirt and to give hel
his hand. They scrambled up the sid,
Of the gorge and stood breathless upor
the road again. Far away Hilary
heard the crash of the logs. flung ovel
the dam and shooting toward the boom
Madeleine Rosny turned and faceC
Hilary. "Well, monSIeur?" she de
manded.
ut Is because I want us TO h,
friends" he said. Aud he took tn,
girls hand frankly In his.
She let II lie there for n moment
gazing at him In aStoniShmcnt anC
pu2zlcment. Then. 10 Hlilary's sur
prise he saw the look OF fear com,
into her eyes again.
at is too late" She whispered
"Surcly not, mndemoISelle. We hav,
misunderstood each other, perhaps
but"
II tell You II Is too late. Oh, VIII!
did You not come to me and say thI'
hcfurr;" she cried. and suddenly hrok,
into understandable Sohhing, II though
you were graSplnc and wicked, and
hated YOU, wished YOU evil. lool
10 your boom, No, let me go, mon
sicurl Look 10 your boom"
Aud, snutching her hand away, sh'
ran. s,lll sohhlng wildly. down III,
road, leaving Hilary staring after he
In uncomfortable dIsmNy.
lie could not understand her mean
ing, though her last words still rnnl
In his ears. lie watched her MS sh