People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-04-14

agement of his heavy and novel skirts.
Then they went back to the cabin, talk
ing long and earnestly of her plans af
ter landing, of chances for the enemy's
movement in such weather, finally
! drifting to the congenial subject Of Bes-
sic Westchester and her brave cleverness
on prisoners Sunday. But never once
did Mckee return to the thin ice of the
rescuer and the anonymous warning,
though his boyish enthusiasm carried
him far beyond his intent regarding his
pretty cousin by courtesy.
By degrees, as the long day wore
away, old Pete's cabin was vocal with
Bessie's praises, and ardent lover had
told his little idyl of doubt, hope, and
final delight; while the woman's SYM
patty never limited that she had heard
it all before, if not in quite so gushing
form.
"And to say that the course of true
love never runs smooth" he cried, final
ly. THAT is rank heresyl The course
is sure to smooth, sooner or later, if the
love be only true!''
Again that inscrutable expression
so pulling to him in the woods-swept
the girls face, and again the color faded
wholly from it. But onlysaid, with
deep sadness in the cadence:
perhaps. Heaven grant that you
two may never prove the contrary
1t may have been the sunset glow,
through the dingy little pane, that
softly touched her face back to color,
but there was a glory, as of tender
memory, over it, and sadly tender
light stole into the eyes that gazed long
and absently in the Goals on Pete's rude
hearth.
Hours later-when the slow-riding
moon had silvered crisp twig and soft
ened the dusk of wood glades-when
the thin-sheeted ice on little creeks re-
turned her glances, mirror-like, old
Pete came in from tending the horse,
gathered up oars and oil skins, and
said:
FITS bout wantin' two hours ter
moonset, Mars Kee, so I'll git de boat
outen the rushes an float 'er down.
One hour by moon you bring I.issy ter
de creek"
Then, watching his shadow lose itself
in gloom Of woods, Carolyn Clay turned
to her companion:
'To reach home before daylight, in
that disguise" she said, quietly, you
must go now"
and leave you here alone? Not
likely" he answered, decidedly. 81 can
slip in unsupported, or, if need be, can
stay here tomorrow"
"You must CO." she repeated, firmly.
"You have already rislked enough for
me, and there is no possible reason to
stay. 1t is but an hour, and know the
way to the creek as well as you"
"But-leave you alone!"
II will not be. Little as they can re-
place your friendly talk, I shall have
my memories, she half sighed, adding,
softly: "and my hopes! l insist that
you 60"
'But-should anyone chance to
come"
I'm that impossible case, one woman
might perhaps be safer than two" she
answered, with one Of her rare smiles.
"Your detection would be ruin"
But cannot leave you unprotected"
81 am not" The smile fingered; and
she pointed to the revolver lying on the
dresser. But no one will come; It's
absurd to think of it. You must go; l
gave my solemn pledge-to Bess.
She will be so anxious about-me!'
The man still argued, protested, wa
vered. The woman was gentle, but
firm, unyielding. So, finally, and with
reluctant feet, he moved towards the
hidden horse, hitching up in haste and
with assistance, at strap and buckle, from
little hands as deft as they were taper.
For the moon was low in the west, throw
ingdeep, long shadows from the trees, as
Mckee mounted the seat and held out
his hand.
81 must obey you," he said, half
sheepishly, las you insist so strenuous
ly. Go down soon to the creek. God
watch and speed you, Miss Clay! You
are the bravest womanI ever met"
May He keep and protect you, Will
lie Mckee, she answered, warmly. 81
owe you debt that words cannot ex-
press. Good-byl and may Bessie re-
ward you always for loyalty to her
friend!"
She stood wrapped in deep thought
as he turned into the roadway, trotting
rapidly northward. Then she turned
slowly to the cabin and sank into a
chair, again questioning the Goals as to
the future-and the past.
As Mckee turned into the road two
dimly-outlined figures, in shadow of the
trees, moved noiselessly farther into the
woods. Both peered out intently at the
passing trap and its strange occupant,
but both renamed silent as ghosts until
they ratified out of sight.
"A womanl What can it mean?" one
queried.
Its all right" the other answered.
THAT is Carroll Meredith's trap, and
think his old servant She must be
there!"
He pointed to the dull-glowing win
dow of the cabin; and both men, still
keeping close in the skirt of woods,
crept noiselessly up and peered into it
eagerly.
she is therel Let's" the first
speaker began; one firm hand over his
mouth, the other pulling him down be-
meath the sill, as Miss Clay quickly