St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-15
(Concluded.)
PART II.
HnADTEp IVY

presence of mind enough to reach in
the direction in which his fair compan-
ion had disappeared. Fortunately his
hand came in contact with her hair; an
instant more and he had clasped her
firmly around the waist. Being very
strong and an expert swimmer, he eX-
perienced little difficulty in bearing his
Slight burden to the shore, especially as
she was limp and mOtiOnleSS. The faint,
PARKWAY light of the camp fire served
as beacon, but he headed for some dis
lance above it in order to guard against
any unpleasant surprises. Ere long his
feet touched the sands and i'll few min
utes the unconscious girl was lying on a
rude bed formed of driftwood. With
the aid of his flint Robert hastily con-
structed small fire and restored her to
consciousness. The warm light of
gratitude beamed from her magnetic
eyes, and her preserver fancied he saw
deeper meaning III the look. He had
been holding her dainty little hand,
while watching for the flush of life to
return to her face, and now, becoming
suddenly aware that she was watching
him curiously, he dropped the hand a d
blushed. She noticed his embarrass-
ment and smiled.
"Thank YOU" she said simply.
"For what"
"Why, for saving my life of course"
'Please don't mention it,"
She laughed. I've heard that eX-
preston before. You men delight to
pose as unconscious heroes. You like
praise and thanks too"
He was provoked. Certainly he did
want praise and thanks. Praise from
such a fair creature would be very
sweet, yet here she was chatting him.
He was about to reply defiantly, when
another glance at her face, stopped him.
81 wish you would not persist in re- E,
minding me of your danger" he said
earnestly.
''Does it then interest you so much?
! beg your pardon, should not have
asked that" she added as ne dropped
his eyes and turned away. He was try
ing to harden his heart against this
woman, yet he was surely falling
victim to her charms. She knew her
power and watched him in an amused
way as he tried to master his feelings.
Finally he turned. His face sternness
and determination, but she only smiled.
Come" he said, 1--WE should return
to the camp or they may discover us"
"Just as you say" she replied arising.
The fire was eXtinguished and select
ing burning brand as guide, they
started on their long walk to the lodges.
Little talking was done. Both seemed
lost in thought and occasionally studied
each others face. There were numer-
Gus cautious glanceS, and embarrassed
bushes that contraSted strangely with
the appearance of both.
They were within a short distance of
the camp. She stopped suddenly.
Meet me here tomorrow night at
midnight" she said, II have something
70 talI 10 ho,uob nd hn
disappeared in the darkness.
Robert went to his own tepee, Invested
himself of his wet clothing and laid
down, not to sleep. however. for strange,
conflicting thoughts were running
through his mind.
surely truth is stranger than felton, -
hemused. "The events of this night
have completely upset ME, and my brain
reels. If any one had told me that l
would fall in love with a girl in such a
wild, desolate spot would have laughed
blind myself to the fact. 1t bothers me,
too, for / don't half trust her. Why did
she suddenly tnrn pale when she men
tionep the whites? 1t is not an uncom-
mon thing for white men to appear in
the camp. Oh, don't know what to
think" and he pressed his hands to his
head. 81 can't imagine why such a
person could be here. can't see why
she would use the musical Indian
tongue one day and the most polished
English Oh the next. l fear that she
knows more about it than she cares to
tell, and still hope l am mistaken.
However, sentiment must give way to
duty, and | feel that am on the right
trail at last"
He was feverishly excited and put
ting on some dry clothes stepped from
the lodge.
AS he did so some object passed
within few feet of him, and Obeying
some irresistible impulse, he followed
it. His eyes soon became accustomed
to the darkness and he could family dis
Germ the figure of a human being. His
curiosity was up to the highest notch.
seen in the camp before. He followed
rapidly and the soft soil and grass pre-,
vented any noise from the feet. The
figure moved steadily inland, fitting in
and out between the trees. and Occa.
sionally lost to sight. Finally it stopped
before an elevated grassy spot and al
instant later disappeared. Waiting a
few minutes. Robert cautiously ad,
vanced, and listened.
NOT A SOUND WAS HEARD.
He lit a small match, shading it with
his hat, and to his great establishment
discovered natural opening or tunnel
in the hill. He paused moment, then
boldly entered. Stopping again he list
ened, but all was quiet. AS he adj
vanced the tunnel grew wider and il
some places the roof was supported by
upright timbers. For few minutes
more he CROPPED his way slowly along
then stopped suddenly as he heard 6
strange noise beyond. Pausing to lister
he heard voice singing some wild
weird tune, then again he advanced. A
sudden turn in the tunnel and the SOUND
was startlingly close. A small ray OF
light cleaned from what appeared to be
small crack in the damp earth. The
detectives actions were now much more
cautious and he advanced like one
treading on air. The singing suddenly
ceased and Roberts blood curdled a
sound of peal of maniacal laughter
followed by a sound like that OF iror
rubbing against iron.
1--WE struck something" murmureG
the adventurer, land, by my faith, would
not be surprised to find a counterfeitine
den even in this wild spot. 1t would
be all admirable place for it,
He reached the wall and applied his
eye to the small opening, then recoile(
as though he had been shot.
CHAPTER V.
When the detective looked through
the hole in the wall the first object thai
met his eye was the form of his recent
companion, whom he had saved from a
watery grave. She was sitting in a
chair made of branches of a tree, and
clasped in her hands was a human
skull, which she seemed to be studying
intently. 1t was this picture that caused
Robert to start back in establishment
Recovering his cOmposure he returned
to his post of observation. Bending
over the girl was the tall form of an old