The Light That Lures | Page 5

which no man might
know. Like his comrade, there was little that escaped his keen
observation, but at times there was a far-off look in his eyes, as though
the present had less interest for him than the future. He sat his horse as
one born to the saddle; his hands were firm, his whole frame full of
physical force, energy, and endurance--a man who would act promptly
and with decision, probably a good man to have as a friend, most
certainly an awkward one to have as an enemy.

"We delayed too long at our last halt, Seth. I doubt whether we shall
see Paris to-night," he said presently, but made no effort to check the
pace of his horse.
"I've been doubting that for an hour past, Master Richard," was the
answer.
The grizzled man was Seth, or sometimes Mr. Seth, to all who knew
him. So seldom had he heard himself called Seth Dingwall that he had
almost forgotten the name. Born in Louisiana, he believed he had
French blood in him, and spoke the language easily. He had gone with
his mistress to Virginia when she married Colonel Barrington, and to
him Broadmead was home, and he had no relation in the wide world.
"Is it so necessary to reach the city to-night?" he asked after a pause.
"I had planned to do so."
The answer was characteristic of the man. As a boy, when he had made
up his mind to do a thing, he did it, even though well-merited
punishment might follow, and the boy was father to the man. Save in
years and experience, this was the same Richard Barrington who had
dreamed as he watched sunlit sails disappear in the haze over
Chesapeake Bay.
"I was thinking of the horses," said Seth. "I reckon that we have a long
way to travel yet."
"We may get others presently," Barrington answered, and then, after a
moment's pause, he went on: "We have seen some strange sights since
we landed--ruined homes, small and great, burned and desolated by the
peasants; and in the last few hours we have heard queer tales. I do not
know how matters stand, but it looks as if we might be useful in Paris.
That is why we must push on."
"Master Richard," he said slowly.
"Yes."

"Have you ever considered how useless a man may be?"
"Ay, often, and known such men."
"You do not catch my meaning. I am talking of a man who is full of
courage and determination, yet just because he is only one is powerless.
A lion might be killed by rats if there were enough rats."
"True, Seth, but there would be fewer rats by the time the lion was dead,
and a less number for the next lion to struggle with."
"A good answer," said Seth, "and I'm not saying it isn't a right one, but
I'm thinking of that first lion which may be slain."
A smile, full of tenderness, came into Barrington's face which, in the
gathering darkness, his companion could hardly have seen had he
turned to look at him, which he did not do.
"I know, Seth, I know, but I am not one man alone. I have you. It seems
to me that I have always had you, and Heaven knows I should have had
far less heart for this journey had you not come with me. In the old
days you have been nurse and physician to me. I should have drowned
in the pond beyond the orchard had you not been at hand to pull me out;
I should have broken my skull when the branch of that tree broke had
you not caught me; and I warrant there's a scar on your leg somewhere
to show that the bull's horn struck you as you whisked me into a place
of safety."
"There was something before all those adventures, Master Richard."
"What was that, Seth?"
"It was a morning I'm not forgetting until I'm past remembering
anything. We all knew you were coming, and we were looking every
day to hear the news. When we did hear it, it was only part of the story,
and the other part was most our concern for a while. The mistress was
like to die, they said. I remember there was wailing among the
plantation hands, and Gadman the overseer had to use his whip to keep

'em quiet. We others were just dumb and waited. Then came the
morning I speak of. The mistress was out before the house again for the
first time. I chanced to be by, and she called me. You were lying asleep
in her lap. 'Seth,' she said, 'this is the young master; isn't he beautiful?
You must do your best to see that