Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-13
CHAPTER xIL-CoNr1NuED.

copyright 1891 bv J. B. Lippincott Co. and Published
by Special Arrangement.]
CHAPTER XIL-CoNrINUED.
|'Ey Jovci that fellow is hero, what
ever color his coatr' he cried, as she
closed her guarded recital.
HE certainly risked his life the girl
paused an instant-'sa dastard's death,
for mer' And, though her head was
averted, Mckee saw warm color glow
on what of her neck showed above her
wrap.
'sYou are a wonderful woman in many
ways, Miss Clay" he said, seriously
ssmost so in lacking curiosity. Any
other would have paused to ask his
name, even through the loop of hal
ter
There was small need" The answer
came absently, in far-away, dreamy
voice. But she quickly added: eve
shall nerer meet again"
81 should have asked, anyway" he
persisted, boyish enthusiasm overriding
his wonted tact. ''You should have had
his name, even IL you kept it until you
met at the judgment seat"
<Should we meet there, he will know
my hayward spirit, so little understood
by myself. He will know then that I
am not ungrateful-that I am just"
She spoke as though to herself.
II should like to shake hanGs with
him-just once!'' Mckee cried, warmly.
<'1n gray coat or blue, he is true knight,
without fear and without reproach.'
She turned her face full toward him,
pale, solemn, but very calm. And
something in her eyes told Mckee that
theme had best be left for simpler ones.
There's another loyal and true" he
went on, covering one error by another.
tEYou are blessed in your nameless
friends, Miss Clay! Though 1 might
have had you across week since, there
certainly is best intent and great risk
in that fellow whose soul you pray for. "
81 do, God knows!' she answered,
slowly, but with deep feeling. eff be
unworthy-if judge not fearing judg-
ment-my hearer will weigh my in
tent"
''Well, he is one of US, anyway" the
youth ratified on. "Why cannot do
something like him
''You are doing-far more; doing your
whole duty" she broke in, restlessly.
mot like him. he persisted. ''He is
a good, true reb, 'sholy,' as Pete says.
Some day shall feel honored when 1
take his hand and tell him how he
served you"
The woman turned short on him.
What the expression on her face said,
he could not translate; but it cut his
speech off in mid-rush on his lips. Her
own quivered, as about to speak, but
she only dropped her hand istlessly at
her side and moved on again, silent.
After a little she turned and said, with
evident effort:
siHow much warmer it seemsr
''Warmerl why, it's colder than the
North pole!' Mckee exclaimed; but he
seized the changed subject eagerly, for
his tact told him there was something
to avoid in the other, whether romance
or not. So he added:
''There is a creek just ahead. Let us
try it for ice.'
A thin skim rested on the surface OF
the little run, but it quickly gave way,
even at the banks, under the pressure
of Mrs. Clonan's Sunday ties.
''That will not do much HARM he
said, confidently. ''These flats freeze a
day, at least, before the river. But you
must get across tonight"
Il soiA. Only death shall stop me this
timer
The girls voice was calm, but the
ring in it made her companion stare
Ut her with open admiration.
For hours they tramped briskly about
the crisp, cold woods, air and exer-
else bringing natural glow back to
the woman's checks, while her long,
easy stride tested sorely McKee's man
agemcnt 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 fos 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