The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-01
rssntored tho gloom. In another no.sa IL


disturbed by neither shape nor sound. Whist
lower forms Of life might have kept close to
its roots werc hidden In tie serns OF passsd
with deadened tread ovcr tho bark -strewn floor.
Toward morning n GOODNESS like dow fell from
above. With bore and there . dropplna twig OF
nut or the crepitant awakening and stretching
out Of cramped and weary branches. Later
dull. lurid dawn. not unlike the last evenings
sunset. allied tho sisles. This faded again.
and clear gray light. In which every object
stood out In sharp dlstinctneks. took it, place.
Morning was waiting outside In all IL brilliant
youthful colorlng. but only entered - the
maturcd and sobered day.
scen in that stronger light. the monstrous
trea near which the dead bear lay revealed it,
age In Its denuded and scared trunk. and
showed In It's base dssp cavity foot or two
from the ground. partly hidden BY hanging
strips OF bark which had fsien aoross It.
Suddenly one OF these strips was pushed aside.
and young man leaped lightly down.
but for the rife no carried and sOms modern
peeuliarities OF Dress he was OF . grace 20
unusual and unconveQhona that he might
have passed for faun who WAS quitting his
ancestral home. He stepped to the eide
OF the boar with q light elastic movement
that was as unlike customary progrsssion
rs his face and figure ware unlike the
ordinary types Of humanity. Even as he loaned
upon his rife. looking down at the PROSTATE
animal. he unconsciously fell into An attitude
that in any other mortal would have boon
pose. but with him was the picturesque and
unstudied relaxation Of perfect symmetry.
Halo. Misterr'
He raised his head DO carclessly and llstlsssly
that he did not otherwise change his attitude.
Stepping from behind the tree. the woman OF
tho preceding night stood before him. Her
hands were free except for thong OF the RATA.
which was still knottsd around ono wrist tho
end Of the thong having been torn or burned
away. Her eyes were bloodshot. and her hair
hung over her shoulders in one long black
braid.
Il reckoned all along 1t was you who shot
the bear" she said: at least some one hidln'
yer" and she indicated the hollow tree with her
hand. 1t wasn't no chance shot" Observing
that tho young man. either from Misconception
or Indifference did not seem to comprehend
her she added. we came by here. last night o
minute after you fired"
oh. that was you kicked up such a row. was
1t ?" said tho young man. with shade OF in
terest.
Il reckon" said the woman. nodiinG her
head. and them that was with me-"
And who are thoy2"
Sheriff Dunn Of Yolo. and his deputy"
And where are they now 2"
Tho deputy-in hill. l reckon I don't know
about the Sheriff"
Il see." said the young man. quietly. and
your"
"I-got away" she said savagelv. But she
was taken with a sudden nervous shiver.
which she at once repressed by tightly drag
gng her shawl over her shoulders and elbows.
and folding her arms dshanty.
And you're go!ngp"
TO follow tho deputy. maybe" she said
gloomily. But come, say. amt you going to
treat2 It's cursed cold here"
Wait a moment" The young man was
looking at her with his niched brows slightly
knit. aud q half smile Of curiosity. Amt you
Teresa?"
She prepared for the question. but evidently
was not certain whether she would reply do
family or confidently. After an exhaustive
scrutiny OF his face she chose the latter. and
| said. You can bet your life on II. Johnny"
Il don't bet. and my name isn't Johnny.
Then you're the woman who stabbed Dick Cur
son over at I.agranges2"
She became defiant again. That's mo. all
the time. What are you going to do about 1t p
| Nothing. And you used to dance at the Al
hambra?"
She whsked the shawl from her shoulders.
held 1t up like a scarf and made ono or two
steps OF tho senibi-cuacld. There WAS not the
least gayNty. rscklsesness. or spOntansity in
| the action: 1t was simply mechanical bravado.
1t was so ineffective, even upon her own feel
ings. that hcr arms presently dropped to her
side and she coughed mharrassedly Where's
that whiskey. pRrd nsr ?" she asked.
The young man turned toward the tree he
had just quilted. and without further words
assisted her to mount to tho cavity. 1t was an
Irregular shaped vauted chamber. pierced
fifty feet above by n shaft or cylindrical open
| Ing In the docayed trunk. which was blackened
by smoke as II it had served the purpose Of a
chimney. In one corner lay a bearskn and
| blanket; at tho side were two alcoves or linden
| tations. one of which was evidently used a. q
table and the other as cupboard. In another
| hollow. near the entrance. lay few small sacks
| OF -four coffee. and sugar the sticky contents
OF the latter still ytrewing the floor. From thi'
| stOrehouse the young man drew wicker flasl
Of whisky and handed it. with tin cup o
water. to the woman. She waved the CUP aside
placed the flask to her lips. and drank the I'M
diluted spirit. Yet even this WINS svidentl!
brnvado. for tho water started to her eyes. ant
she could not restrain the paroxysm OF cough
ing that followed.
Il reckon that's the kind that kills at fort,
rods" she said. with a hysterical laugh. Blu
1 say. PuruNor. you look rs IL you Woto HNo'
here to stay" and she stared ostentat!ous
around TIM chamber. But sho had alrsad
taken In its minutest details. even to observing
that the hnngng strips OF bark could DO dis
posed so rs to completely hide the entrance.
well. yes." he replied: 1T wouldn't be YER
Easy to pull up the stakes and move the shant
further on"
Seeing that either from Indifference or cautio
no had not accepted her meaning. she looke
ut him fixcdly and said
What is your little gamef"
"Eh?"
What are you hiding for-here. In thi
tree p
But I'm not hiding"
Then why didn't you come out when the
hailed you last night2"
Because didn't care to-"
Teresa whistled incredulously. All right.
then II you're not hiding. I'm going to-"
he did not reply. she went on: II l can kee
out OF sight for q couple Of weeks. this thin
. will blow over hera. and can get across in'
Yolo. could get . fair show there. where til
Il H. .