The Red Cloud chief., 1892-03-18
XIV
SOME CoUNTER-PLoTTING.

IedTSOn Hdu luuceC gone ~ uICcuS ..
Never for n moment during all those
days that DIR. Bascom kept him in bed
had thoughts of Louise escaped him.
Besides, he was haunted with a terrible
fear. He had the uneasincss natural
to a guilty conscience, and every hour
he was in dread lest his purpose and
actions leak out and become public.
Not only was he in fear of losing
Louise. but a greater calamity over
hung him. He had discounted to an
eastern Spectator all of the farm
mortgages held 10y the Buckeye Loan
and Trust Company, and. had ,the pro
ceeds then in his pocket. ~ going
away with Louise he had arranged to
take thousands housn of d0llars Of Batch
During his confinement he was
weighed down with the fear that this
embezzlement should n discovered and
himself apprehended. Every day this
fear grew stronger upon him, until ut
last he felt certain thSkthe secret must
| come out. and he resolved to lie still no
longer. So sending hisnttendant away
he arose from his bed and was surprised
to find his limb intact. With a curse
on the doctor whom he put down as an
ignoramus, he hurried from the room
and was soon on his way to John
Green's house.
Thank my stars" he muttered, as
he cantered across the prairie, Il am
not too late yet. / have only to give
Louise notice to be ready, and tonight
drive out for her, and inside of six
hours we shall be rolling to the west
ward as fast as steam can take IS"
Louise had, of course, been informed
of Parsons misfortune. Pearson
through his friend Mills, had taken
pains to keep her informed on his on
dition, and she was aware that he
would come again soon to claim her an
swer to his question. So she waited
day after day with calm resignation for
the time to come for the completion of
her misery and shame.
When Pearson reached Green's, Louise
received him quietly, and whatever her
feelings were she had mastered them S 20
well that she betrayed no emotion,
either of sorrow or pleasure.
Louise, / nave at last come to learn
your decision" Pearson said, when they
were alone. Il have given you more
| time than / promised, and suppose you
have your answer ready"
81 have" she replied, quietly.
"And it is"
"As you wish"
Then tonight be ready for going
away. 1 shall come at a couple Of
| hours after dark with 4 closed carriage,
and by moving promptly and losing no
time we can catch the night train west,
| and before our escapade becomes known
we will be far from here. You under
| stand that there must be no delay"
YES"
"And you will see that there is none?"
"Yes."
"Then l suppose that is all" and as
| Pearson spoke he arose as if to 60, but
suddenly stoppingcame to the girls
side and said:
"Since you are SO Dol to be mine,
Louise, you cannot object to me kiss
ing You. Here, just once before l GO"
NO, no. no." she cried as she drew
herself back from him. Spare me that,
please do"
"Humph," Pearson muttered, you'll
have to get used to that pretty soon
now,a and you might as well begin one
time as another. Do You think l will
let You shun me as you would q snake
wheE You are my own?"
mo. no., but spare me now I have
consented to give myself to you to-
night. From thenceforward / am
yours, but to-day let me be free. 1t is
not much / ask, and you will surely
grant so small 4 request"
".Ah, yes, l suppose So" Pearson re-
piled with a coarse laugh. BE your
own mistress to-day, for after this you
are mine. BE ready at eight tonight,
and meet me ct the fence below the
stable yard"
Very we'll"
Louise said this SO calmly and so
freely that Pearson was constrained to
gaze at her in wonder, and as he watched
her quiet. immovable countenance he
began to doubt her intentions.
Look here, Louise" he said, 81 want
you to peal in mind that l am in earn
est, and that l will brook no foolishness.
You fail me tonight in one particular
and your father will pay for it."
II shall not fail you," Louise replied,
in the same calm zone and manner. Il
have decided to follow your wishes, and
l shall not turn back. Have no fears
Of me-"
| Very well, then. De ready for my
coming at eight tonight, and hen for
the far west and a happy life-happy at
least for me-" he added, under his
breath. 'Good-by for a few hours"
The sun was not high as Pearson gal
Hoped back toward Magic City, but
hung suspended in the distant western
sky but a little way above the edge of
the earth.
There is no time to lose," he
unused, as he rode swiftly on,
land / must move rapidly to make con-
nections all around. / have my ar
rangements well fixed, thank goodness,