Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-06

choked down his wrath, and assumed
as resigned m dir as possible.
"rve played and lost" he muttered.
but | dare say, old man, you won't
Kill me for thinking too much Of
Alma?"
That depends upon how you have
treated her, returned Bullet sternly.
Lead on to the cave"
The trio speedily reached the spot
whore the Kanaka had been discovered,
and from this point long and narrow
opening into the rocky ledge became
this is tho place." cried Bullet,
after single look around him.
~ His voice was followed by a scream
that came, faint and echoing, from the
depths Of the rocky passage in ques-
ton. .5E.@.
ITS Alma," added the old sailor,
flushing with Joy and relief. We've
found her."
Torches were hastily lighted, and
the two men plunged into the rocky
passage, which was visibly tie en-
trance Of q cavern, dragging their
prisoner after them. Ere long they
came to stout door, locked and barred,
which had been fitted into q casing OF
heavy timbers at the narrowest point
of the entrance.
Are you here, Alma?" demanded
Bullet.
An inarticulate cry Of Joy was the
first response to this query, but the
words speedily followed:
Yes, am here.
Safe and well?"
Yes, safe and well"
The old sailor drew long sigh OF re-
lief, as did Ralph. It occupied only =
few moments to find the key of the
door in Keeri's pocket and TO use it,
thus bringing the captive and her res
cuers face to face.
The scene that followed was SUI
fciently emotional, the girl not only
clinging sobbingly to her fathers
breast, but also throwing herself i'm
pulsively into the arms Of Ralph, with
joyous cries and tears. And 1t was not
without an answering emotion that he
received these grateful illusions for his
share In the rescue. As he had long
been oblivious Of even Mazda Stepp'a
existence, no former memory preserved
him from the full effect Of Alma's exA
aggerated gratitude. He did not love
the willy girl, but he was gratful to her
for all the interested kindnesses she
had shown him, and he was neither so
stony nor 80 wooden as to receive her
demonstrations unmoved. To the COM
trary, as he found her arms thrown
tightly around his neck, at that mo-
ment Of joyous excitement, he became
conscious of q deeper interest in her
than he had ever before experienced.
Even Keeri perceived that he had lost
more by his violence than he had
gained.
How has the Kanaka treated your"
asked Bullet, as soon a. Alma, with
well-acted confusion, had withdrawn
from the arms Of the young Chi
sOh, very we'll, replied Alma. "He
has kept me close prisoner and has
tried to coax and scare me into marry
ing him, but he has not been particu4
larly intrusive or dangerous"
What shall be his punishment"
II think he'll be punished enough II
you take good care that he does not
get hold Of me again." returned the
scheming girl, with stealthy glance
at Ralph.
"I'll take good care for that--with
Mr.. Benning's aid," said Bullet. "But
what q curious place the rascal fitted
up for you here" he added, wav-
ing his torch around him and marking
the extent and contents of the cavern.
Everything indicates that he has ia,
ken time to prepare for your long resi-
dence in this hiding-place."
Certainly. He has been engaged
for weeks in fitting up the place, and
he has declared again and again that ]
should never leave it, unless under {
solemn promise to marry him. But al
his threats did not trouble me greatly
for felt sure that Mr.. Benning and
you would find me-"
Touching faith" muttered Bullet
as he drew the back of his hand acros,
his eyes. But in this case it was no
fallacious. Mr.. Benning and have in
deed found you, never again to los,
sight OF you in such way as this,
human foresight can prevent it,"
Leaving Keeri in the cave, SO secured
in well-knotted ropes that several
hours would be consumed by him in
setting himself free, the rescuers and
Alma took their way homeward, Bullet
leading the way, and the girl leaning
heavily upon the arm Of Ralph.
That she had suffered from her cap
tivity was apparent at glance, hey
features being much thinner and paler
than usual, but the fresh air, coupled
with the excitement Of the hour, soon
brought the color to her cheeks. An
easy walk Of couple Of hours brought
the trio to Bullets dwelling, where
they proceeded to rest and recuperats
from their fatigues and trials.
ITO BE CONTINUED