Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-19

boldness. There was something frank
and pleasant In il that gave her sense
of restfulnese.
His bronzed cheeks flushed under the
scrutiny of her large grave eyes, then ne
laughed, a short, mirthful laugh ina.
made her lips open with smile.
"Do you know, - he said, 81 cannot
get over the feeling that am under some
spell-and that you are q spirit.
"Oh, no, she answered simply, ~
am only Mary Rath.'
HOf course you are. What an ass l
am not to have remembered. Mary, l
beg your pardon, Miss Rath, / have
heard of you often, and he smiled
easily.
"Do they speak of me as Mary?" she
asked, with a look in her eyes that
ouelled the faint of familiarity il his
manner.
He flushed again under the steady
gaze, but this time with annoyance, and
he blamed himself n double-barreled
idiot not to have seer at once that this
strange girl was not person to be made
light of.
"who is i: that calls me Mary?" she
continued, relentlessly, with touch OF
bitterness.
al beg your pardon Miss Rath for my
foolish slip. No one worthy of your
friendship would ever think of taking
liberty with your name.' He spoke
warmly.
"Was 1t Capt. Dalstou!"
s'Who calls me?'' answered harsh
voice. :sMIss Rath l apologize for ill.,
truding. Blaine-how are you?' Capt.
Dalston himself stepped into the room,
and looked darkly from Mary to the
young officer, then, as he noted the
marks of violence in the room, he reeled
| as though struck. ''Wbat,' he asked
horsely, "has happened?''
Nary gave brief account of the at
| tack and of Sirayo's colning-catchlng
her breath at the finish, but just stop
| ping short of a sob.
Dalstou said nothing, but his black
| eyes burned, and his strong hand grip
ped the sword. "Ah,'' he muttered in
q sort of gasp, "lf l could only have
| been there he drew his hand across
his brow and then with quick look
under his brows at Blaine be abruptly
said: 81 have brought up my troop to
assist you
| .sThanks, p" said Blaine, coldly. ''My
force was quite sufficient for the pur-
pose"
..The colonel thought differently, "
| Balu Iu6 OlileE, Will Soi
casm. "He will himself follow with 100
men Tomorrow. What do you propose
doiug?"
al intend moving on to the Mex just
before dawn !
"Why upon the Mex If / may ask. -
"Because Sirayo is there, and my or
ders were to capture him. You are not
here TO countermand them l suppose,
he demanded haughtIly.
| tYou would not suppose, Miss Rath,
said Dalston with a gloomy smile. ''that
had saved this young gentleman from
| Sirayo's assegai.
Blaine felt the rebuke all the more be-
cause Dalston had reminded him of the
obligation. Mary was absorbed with
other matters aud did not answer.
"Do understand that you are going
to capture the Zulu chief,'' she asked in
low voice.
81 will make the attempt, Miss Rath,
and will have to thank you if l succeed. -
Mary WINGED. She rose up and placed
her hand upon his arm.
Don't, - she said earnestly, s'don't,
prav don't take advantage of my infor-
nation. Nothing would have forced it
from me If had known your object.
Blaine quivered at her touch, and
looked unessily at Delston. That indi-
vidual gave him no support, but turned
away with frown. Miss Rath had
never rested her hand upon his arm.
"Remember, - she continued, with
tremor in her voice, 'he saved my
life. -
Blaine flinehed under her look of en-
treaty, a look that haunted him for many
day; but the lines about his mouth
hardened.
"say you will not go. At least wait
till it is daylight. -
81 cannot" said Blaine, "it is my
duty
"Duty!" she replied with scorn I,
while her eyes flashed. ''Is it your
duty to place upon me the stigma of
treachery?'
Blaine hesitated a moment, and Mary
detecting his hesitation-sighed with re-
lief.
She turned from him to Capt. Dalstor.
s'You, sir-cannot you help me!'
Now was the opportunity for him to
regain her good opinion. He looked at
her eagerly, then, with an effort that
left his face pale and rugged, he re-
strained himself.
"Capt. Blaine is right he said &,
steadily, .aud it is time to advance.
The two men fingered moment, as
though they would fain say something to
remove the sting of their refusal, then
they hurried away and left Mary listen
ing to their departing steps with an
intense feeling Of modification at her
| heart.
1t was no time for delay however. She
reused Pala, who had evidently been
feigniug sleep, for the black girl lost no
time in asking for explanations.
s.Pale, you must fly to the Neck and
warn the chief. The soldiers are in
pursuit. -
Pala rose to her feet, but staggered at
her first step. Her ankle was swollen.
She had sprained it in decending the
hill.
The two girls looked at one another in
despair, then Pala IS face hardened.
s'You must go. mistress. 1t was you
who .old the soldiers, and you must
warn the chief. He saved you, and il
he dies-his blood and mine be on your
headl'
Mary's eyes dilated under the stress OF
this new danger that was coming upon
her, then she turned and flew to where
her horse was secreted in the garden.