Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-03-04
Helen's Experience.
Continued from last weekly

Helen. she's made trouble for some
body her whole life through. I'm head
and front of it all, and / can't go ahead
with the thing now, for her sake-and
you're no better off. I'll go down to-
night. put the thing into Mason's hands,
and clear the country till it's over with.
Well have to start for Denver to-
morrow without an hours delay, and
I'll get Mason's wife to come over if
she will have her. It's the best way l
see out of q bad bargain"
That was Harry Tryon's way settling
every thing cff-hand, but the plan was
carried out, and Helen found herself
solitary. Mason's wife came over,
but was quickly recalled by the
needs of a sick badly. Happily Helen
had steady nerve and a comfortable
Imagination. OF real danger there was
very little, and she Was glad to be
alone.
OF what was going on about her she
knew nothing. She had taken
much interest in the happenings of the
country. and gave no thought to the
subject that had been Harry's great IN
tercst for so long. Sam Lees work he
ing done, he had sauntercd off to the
cabins down in the timber. Helen was
swinging in her hammock as usual.
dreaming dreams and seeing visions in
such dreary fashion as her past gave
reason for. Still, with all the sadness,
there was q dreamy quiet that was not
wholly pain, and with the silence and
the starlight, and the slow, monotonous
rocking OF hcr swinging cradle, she fell
asleep.
'.Nelcn!'
"Ycs.' she said drowsily, and fell
asleep again.
"IIelcn"-the word was spoken a lit
tie louder; q hand touched her; she
sprung up broad awake now. Payne
Morse stood before her.
He was barehcadcd, without his coat,
a blood-stained sling held his right arm.
II torn handkerchief was knotted round
his head; he was haggard and CHASTITY.
She knew it all at once-it was two
hours since she had heard shots in the
timber, and had lain idly specializing
about echoes and the distance the sound
had come.
"They are after me. Can you help
me?" lie said, III 4 hoarse gasp.
"NNhat can / do?"-but it was not Il
question of helplessness; she was think
ing hard.
"They will come here" lie said.
Eyes. 1 suppose so-ycs, l will do my
best" slowly.
"I'vc been hung and shot," with &
most unmirthful laugh. 1.-The rope
. broke and the fool that fired didn',
break any thing. l ought to get of
after that"
She answered him not q word, but
after q moments thought: "You cal
come in here" opening the door of he,
room. One end had been partitionet
off as a closet and stcrc-room. Ssh,
dragged down q mattress and blankets
81 will do ray BEST" she said again
slowly. She did not look at him; sh,
spoke as if her lips were stiffened.
You're Il pluclsy little SOUL" lightly
The mans daredevil recklcssncss wa
uppermost again. You know who 70,
are cntertaining?-not an angel I'm
awarcs; I'm Captain Gordon"
Eyes, l know"
IAN right. then. Mind one thing
: they arc not likely to use you-a woma
roughly. If it comes to that l shall
appear on the scene"
I'm not afraid. Don't talk any more
please" in q tired sort of way.
Then she lighted her room and begal
dressing l%eisurcly. The occupation ha'
it's object: sitting still was impossible
while She waited.
IInt whom, cLorr ror co,,rJ,J no,
cmptorily through the house, she starte
with every nerve. Her voice was stead
enough, however, as she Went to tn
curtaincd window.
"yVho is it??'
n Morgan, from over Point"
Captain Morgan. Yes, l know. ]
you will find your way in l will joi
you presently"
She heard the tramp of feet maxim
their way uncertainty into the lighte
room. She did not hasten. every sol
fold of lace about her throat was SCI
tied carefully to it's place, and she wer
back to adjust u slipping braid of hal
as if the most critical and fastidious G
morning callers awaited her. Some
thing of the dramatic instinct must hav
DcCI DOIll IL 1lcE. kouC SUOOU III III
doorway presently. holding the lam
= far above her head that she might sc
her visitors, a graceful, white-cla
shape. with shining eyes and flushe
checks. The men rose involuntarily.
81 am Mrs. Morse" she said, quietly
"My brother, Mr.. Tyron, is not .
4 home"
"Don't be alarmed" Captain Morga
said reassuringly. I'VE are the vigi
ance committee. searching for til
captain of the horsethief gang. He e.
capped us a few hours ago and came TIL
way"
She thought of the shooting and han.
ID ing, while the soft-voiced vigilante wa
making his explanation. She move
forward and put her lamp down on
table before She answered.
"Iie visited us some time SINCE" wit
q half-smile. "You know we lost all OF
horses"
81 knew you were here alone, an
thought he might take advantage of til
fact. Nobody knows how much info
nation he has"