Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-12
CAMP TAMPA'S ELEANOR.
An Arizona Romance, Written for This
Paper.
BY THE DUCHESS.

tangs, and gallop away toward Camn
Tampa. She knows they will follow
the circuitOus route OF the creeks and
she thinks that, by going afoot directly
across the hills. she may possibly Get to
the camp ahead Of them. But there ia
not moment to lose in preparat on or
irresolution. To re-enter the cave might
De TO encounter member OF the gang
ana be detained. SO she sets out at a
gait which she hopes to maintain for the
mile and a half which she has to ira.
verse while the gang is going three or
iour oy roundabout route. Not once
does she slip or stumble, though the
ground is treacherous. Not on does
she lose heart; but, young and strong
ana agile as she is. In spite OF her slen-
aer frame. flies. straight as an arrow
from Its bow, to the rescue OF him she
loves. In the loneliness and darkness
of the hour, with fear fighting in her
breast Tor mastery over hope, she ac-
knowledges to herself for the first time
that she does, indeed, love Arthur Bran
nard: that he and he alone of all the
world Is the one man for her How lone
she seems that night! How full OF CHA silly
terrors! Now rustic in the shrubs on her
right hard makes her God run cold,
ana now fanced whisper brings a
frightened sob to her throat And now
at last the outlines Of the barracks fall
upon her strantng eyes. Encouraged
! Dy them to fresh exertioEs, she runs as
though Hecate herself were at her
heels, never drawing breath until she
stops at the gateway.
She finds the gate unfastened. The
young officer has not been within more
than five minutes. and he is scarcely
through with his search for inmates.
He meets her. Seeing him. all at once
such a sense OF security overcomes her
that losing sight Of the courage that
hitherto has sustained and upheld her,
she sways forward, and would have
fallen but that he catches her in his
arms.
My darling, you here! What has
happened" cries he, in great agitation.
| Then she conquers the faintness,
and. raising herself from his embrace,
sinks into chair. She tells hun in a
few and hasty words Of all that has
happened; that the bandits may De
momentarily expected; that the mob Of
miners will probably arrive at day
break; that his life Is in danger from
the former: and that they must try to
escape at once.
Il think hear horses hoois now, "
she exclaims. Come" with nervous
haste. another five minutes may make
it too late"
BY JOve. so it will. You must mount
my horse, and ride to Clayville.
But you will come with mel"
Il cant go with you" says he, turn
ing crimson. Il must remain here"
"Oh, you shall not!" cries the girl,
vehemently. She lays her little white
hands, one crossed upon the other, on
his arm, and looks with eager eyes into
his face. Il pray you to come; will you
refuse me?"
will you make me a greater coward
than you already deem mo-" returns he,
hastily, the late wound still ranking.
In a moment, seeing how she shrinks
away from him, conscience-stricken, he
curses himself in his heart for having
thus upbraided her.
Forgive me, he says in an agony Of
contrition.
"You do right to reproach me, re-
turns she, in low tone, with her pretty
head bent down and lips Quivering. al
though in my heart never meant what
I said"
! Il believe that" he says, gladly.
|
ave have forgotten your father. He
must be rescued while the bandits are
away from the cave; or else they must
be captured. We must rouse the min
ing camp, and start the vigilantes. You
ride there with the news, while hold
the fort until help comes"
But this plan Is frustrated by the ar
rival of the bandits. There is clatter
of horses hoofs down the gravelly as
cent, and BrAnnard, placing hi:nself
impulsively in front OF Eleanor, stands
with his pistol raised 10 defend her.
The futility OF a single-handed fight in
the open air with a party OF bravadoes
is SO clear. however, that he at once
retreats with the girl into the barracks.
He has barely time to bar the doors be-
fore they are in the yard. Having
armed Eleanor, at her own request.
with revolver, he leads the way to an
upper room. The clouds, that in the
earlier part Of the night were dull and
leaden. have all cleared away, and now
one sees a most heavenly night. Every
tree and shrub and leaf is a-glitter and
moonlight, lying over all, softens and
deepens into tenderest beauty each
thing it touches.
There. look!' whispers Eleanor,
! uuIIlouly, tlkutcuiuB ucA AAScio vi
| Brannard's.
Slowly, as they watch, party of
robbers move toward the principal en-
trance. One of these, striking match.
sets fire to a pine stick and then moves
rapidly toward the door.
The officer at this, placing the girl in
an angle where she is for the present
safe, tiings wide the window, and calls
aloud to the men down below.
What do you want here, you fell
lows" he says, in clear and by no
means conciliatory tone.
| His sudden presence causes them to
| come to q standstill. Farley among
themselves then ensues, Of a very ami
mated order, until broken by Jim, who,
separating himself a little from the
others, glunces defiantly up at the win
dow He carries in his right hand a
revolver.
YOU he says, insolently, in answer
to the question.
Well, you see me. says Brannard,
calmly "What can I do for yOl?"