Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-13
and absently in the Goals on Pete's rude

Pete came IN from tending the horse,
gathered up oars and oil skins, and
said:
cts bout wantin' two hours ter
moonset, Mars Kee, so I'll git de boat
outen the rushes an float Ter down
One hour by moon you bring missy ter
de creek
Then, watching his shadow lose itself
in gloom of woods, Carolyn Clay turned
to her companion:
'sTo reach home before daylight, in
that Disguise she said, quietly, ''you
must go now"
"And leave you here alone? Not
ikely!" he answered, decidedly. ST can
slip in unsupported, or, if need be, can
stay here tomorrow"
"You must co. she repeated, firmly.
''You have already risl1ed enough for
me, and there is no possible reason to
stay. It is but an hour, and know the
way to the creek as well as YOU
''But-leave you alone!'
s'I will not be. Little as they can re-
place your friendly talk, shall have
my memories she half sighed, adding,
softly: land my hopes! I insist that
you CO."
ssBut-should anyone chance to
come
''In 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
absurd to think of it. You must go;
-
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 def as they were taper.
For the moon was low in the west, throw
ing deep, long shadows from the trees, as
Mckee mounted the seat and held out
his hand.
81 must obey you," he said, half
sheepishly, ''as you insist SO strenuous
ly. Go down soon to the creek. God
watch and speed you, Miss Clay! You
are the bravest woman ever met"
''N1ay He keep and protect you, Will
lie McKee!'' she answered, warmly. 81
owe you debt that words cannot ex-
press. Good-by! and may Bessie re-
ward you always for loyalty to her
friendv'
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
chair, again questioning the Goals as to
the future-and the past.
70 he, 4,-,O
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.
GA woman! What can it nean?'' one
queried.
cts all right" the other answered
think his old servant. She must be
there!''
He pointed to the dull-g1owing win
dow of the cabin; and both men, still
keeping close in the slirt of woods,
eagerly.
''She as there! 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
turned her eyes from fire to window.
Am growing nervous?' she said to
herself, with a half-smile. II really
fancied heard whisper there Caro-
lyn Clay, am ashamed of your COVE ard
ice!''
The two shadowy figures had with
drawn to some distance, the first speak
er again the first to break silence.
''Why not?" he whispered, eagerly.
''The coast is clear. Let me go in and
speak,
''First, let me remind you to remem-
Der your pledge" the other broke in
81 must be in the city by dawn. You
are to go alone; but hold you to your
oath in spirit as in letter! Remember!
Absolute silence"
mot even to"
''To none, save to him! One whisper,
| one hint, might ruin all. More lives
| than yours and mine depend upon it."
81 will obey" was the answer. .'God
knows I can never cancel my debt to
| you! Without my oath, your wish
! would be my law. I will be silent and
| obey"
Enough! trust you He held out
his hand. His companion grasped it,
standing quite still, as it was with
drawn-with something like groan-
and the man passed rapidly away into
| the shadows.
A moment later Miss Clay again
| started-this time to her feet. There
was no mistake; step sounded with
! out, approaching the cabin. Quickly
the girl grasped the revolver, leveling
| it as soft tap sounded on the door.
| A sharp click sounded warning stimuli
taneously with her calm call:
'Come ini''
The door swung slowly open, and the
freight showed her stalwart figure,
dressed in the very height of loddest
| fashion.
| Then cry broke from her lips, and
the next instant she was folded in the
arms of Evan Fauntleroy!
] CHAPTER Kill
IN CAMP NORTON.
Packed in with companions in misery,
on the prison train, that frosty Balti-
more Sunday, Evan Fauntleroy had
wrapped himself in his new-found ulster
| and closed his ewes But wide-awalSe