The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-05-23

if, by making it, saved you. Here
even alone you would be perfectly saf
for weeks. Depend upon ii, befor
many have passed your father will in
Stltuic II search for you. When | o,
shall leave signs at different place,
directing your friends where to find YOU
so you will be rescued whether rcturI
or not
"lon are most kind and thoughtful
indeed" said the beautiful woman, but
rs much rs desire to be restored to
my father, ! refuse the sacrifice Won
offer. cannot consent for you Ia
peril your life to save mine. When
you leave this place must 90 with YOU.
hate""r hardship you suffer, must
endure. Whatever danger you con
front III my behalf must face also.
love my dear father y''-here
tears came To her eyes and her voice
trembled-''and he loves his daughter
with all Il priceless affection: but he
would never sanction my consent TO
what you propose, while staid back
here IN ease, comfort and safety. His
love would turn to contempt were he
to know | permitted you to sacrifice
your life in my behalf and make no
effort TO share the danger with you.''
She spoke earnestly; and her soul
was IN her eyes.
Howard was ut loss how to answer
her. Finally he said:
''But, Miss Burlington, YOU overesti-
mate the danger | would encounter in
making this journey alone. do not
regard the peril rs extraordinary. If
this snow extends TO San Pedro, dis
tant about fifty miles, could, by start
ing very early in the morning, by good
luck, reach my destination by mid
night. In three days more could be
back again.
"Suppose the snow only extends
one-thIrd of the way, what thenPr
"In that event would be compelled
to walk the balance of the distance on
foot without the aid of snow shoes. -
was the answer.
"Yes, and be exposed to Indians,
wolves, buffaloes and robbers and heav-
en- knows what all! No, no, | cannot
consent to let you run the risk | have
read of the peril men on foot encounter
on the plains, and shall not let YOU 90
until you can go prepared for all these
dangers. As anxious as | am to. meet
father again, deem it wise to wait.
Who knows but the same kind Proyi-
dence that sent you across my path
when chased by the Indians, will, in
His own inscrutible way, bring to us
our deliverance. So come with me, ,you
have worked enough to-day, come and
tell me of your life here in the mount
aims; or if there is work that must be
done, let me stay and aid you. See, |
am strong, | am willing. But | am
tired of the gloom, the pent solitude of
the house, | there all alone, you out
here
Howard felt the rebuke and did not
seek to shun its force. He had not
meant To be unsociable but until she
had come ont to where he was he had
not spoken dozen words to her: and
this was objectionable. Then the ques-
ton came to him: was it necessary
that this enchanting woman, who had
been so strangely thrown upon his pro-
lection, should be treated as one 10
be stunned?
Why not give himself up to circum-
stances? Why not enjoy the sweets OF
her genial society while he couldp WHY
not win this beautiful creature all for
himself and keep her in this house,
which needed but her to be paradise
But no, this would not do. His man.
hood revolted at the thought of taking
advantage of a woman. The lover was
sunk in the friend; instead of adora-
ton he would give protection.
"Pardon me, Miss Edrington,'' he
said, 81 have not meant to be unsociable.
But think of our situation. Here are
we two prisoners in this place. Not II
soul near us, and no one knowing that
we are here. Escape from our enthrall-
ment is cut off by miles and miles of
drifted snow. True | have provisions
enough to last for months, but if, when
they are gone, no relief should come,
we have but to starve. Can | contem-
plate this without Il shudder? Can
think of your fate without gloom,
gloom rs black as nightp''
"Do not think me unappreciative of
your noble efforts and deep concern, -
said Grace. ssOf course | know but
little of the real dangers that surround
us. At least we can but die; but gloom
and despair are but poor factors of
escape. And though seem to be the
principal in this case, rs you put it,
cannot partake of your gloomy fore
bodin@s. cannot but cherish firm and
an abiding hope, a hope that Is born of
faith, faith in you, that our deliverance
will come soon and through your in
strumentality." And laying her hand in
his she gave him look of such confid-
ing trust that his whole being thrilled
with fire it had not felt for years.
What was in that look, that touch
the magic spell that for Il moment en-
thralled them? Into his eyes hers
were looking with II light he had never
seen there before. In his she read II
secret that thrilled while it startled her.
With an eloquent exclamation she
broke away from him and fled to her
own room.
How glorious she looked in her re-
splendent beauty as she moved away.
How he longed to clasp her in his arms
and while printing passionate kisses on
her lips tell her his name and ask again
for the love that once was his.
ITO be Continued.