The Tomahawk., 1924-09-18

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 breath
ing. Jean stood over him, looking 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 unconscious.
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
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.
II 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
on q hn 70 -
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, a 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
Pierre's 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?"
Eyes, 1t Is I, whom you tried to muir
der" answered Jean, slowly, without
bitterness.
Pierre looked at him in bewilder-
ment.
II 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, then?" she cried.
Jean looked duly at Der.
20, Jean, could not wait for thee"
she sobbed. Hast thou not under
stood? I knew that another day
would bring thee, but I 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 ne 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
love.
Suddenly he caught her to his breast
and covered her with kisses.
II know know!" he cried. 81 was
a fool-and madly Jealous, Nanette.
But now all is ended, end we shall
ride back to thy fathers house"
Pierre touched him upon the sleeve.
II shall say nothing to Nanette,"
he whispered.