The Press., 1894-12-27


 enough, however, as she went to the curtained window
 "Who is it?''
 Morgan from over Point.
 Captain Morgan? Yes, I know If you will find your way in, I will join you presently. '
 She heard the tramp of feet making their way uncertainty into the unlighted room. She did not hasten; every soft fold of lace about her throat was settled carefully to it's place, and she went back to adjust a slipping braid of hair as if the most critical and fastidious of morn ing callers awaited her. Something of the dramatic instinct must have been born ill her. She stood in the doorway presently, holding the lamp far above her head that she might see her visitors, graceful, white clad shape, with shin- ing eyes and flushed cheeks The men rose inyo!uIltarily.
 ''I am Mrs Morse, she said quietly. My brother, Mr Tryon, is not at home. "
 Don't be alarmed, " Captain Morgan said reassuringly We are the vigi- lance committee searching for the cap- tain of the horso thief gang. He escaped us D few hours ago and came this way. !"
 She thought of the shooting and hang ing while this soft voiced vigilant was making his explanation. She moved for ward and put her lamp down on table before she answered.
 ''IIe visited us some time since, " with half smile. "You know we lost all our horses
 II knew you were here alone and thought he might take advantage of the fact. Nobody knows how much in- formation he has. '
 She shook her head.
 Captain Gordon hasn't frightened me, D she said calmly. Then she glanced at the men. They were all splashed and travel torn.
 "Could l offer you any refreshment, J she said half timidly, ''for yourself or your horses? I have heard my brother speak of you frequently" with the smile that years ago Payne Morse had found so b>Witching.
 She looked so frail and slight, so en- tirely different from the southwestern feminine development, that Morgan, a great, good llatured giant, found him self abashcd As for his companions, they stood with their guns in the hol- low of their arms, holding their hats awlzwardly and uneasily. They were rough riders and straight shots, but this slender woman upset their nerves.
 We're about played out, Morgan said, "the horses at least. He won't be likely to get far tonight" with a sig nificant glance at the man nearest him, and we couldn't do much anyhow. It is going to be blacker than pitch If you doll't mind our camping on the place-you don't look much like work, Mrs. Morse, but Pm not bad hand at @ frying pan myself. '
 Certainly, gentlemen, " with sweet est courtesy. You know the way to the corncribs, and, , putting out pair of slender, drowned hands, "I'm not as helpless as look.
 So she and Captain Morgan made cof- fee, fried bacon and baked biscuit, while the men fed their horses and arranged sleeping places for themselves.
 ''Don t that beat anything you ever saw in your life in the way of a wom- an?'' one of them said after long rec onnoissance through the kitchen win dow. And there's Morgan, with awe in his voice, talking away to her as chipper as a jaybird. ''
 They rode away in the gray of the morning. All day long she ministered to the man who had wrecked her life. There was little talk. They could not venture on that. He slept like worn out man who makes the most of his chances ill safety. When night came again and again, Sam Lee left the house alone. Then, clad ill Harry Tryon' $ garments and riding Rebecca, Payne Morse made his way to signal station on the railway 10 miles away.
 "Goodby, he said. You'll not be likely to see or hear of me again. For your sake it's almost @ pity that they