The Press., 1894-12-27

"Go with me: No, thank you. shall get away from here shortly. had busi- ness here and give you my word that did not know you were here when l came But we shall finish up shortly now, and then Ill be off And look here-you shan't be fooled again, I'll make certain that you are told when l do go. '
 She had been standing all the while. He came close to her now
 Can't you give me @ kiss?' stopping his still handsome face toward her
 "Oh, no, mol" She shranl1 back. shiv. ering.
 And your husband too! You took it much more coolly the other night, with careless laugh. Well, goodby. shan see you again most likely. He's handsome fcllow-not much better than 1 was before 1 got this beauty mark, though-and just as likely to be no better sort.
 She sank down on the floor as he went out. By and by she pulled down the pillow from the couch near by and lay there sobbing and shivering. Sam Lee, coming ill for directions for the evening meal, found her with closed eyes, and fancying her asleep spread a shawl over her and left her, following the devices of his own heart over the cook stove.
 She heard the men coming at last Bronson and her brothcr-and met them at the door, so white, so desperate look ing that both drew rein and sat staring 
 at her speechlessly.
 Bronson sprang to the ground at last and took her in his arms, She put him away with trembling hand, not look ing at him.
 ''Harry Payne Morse is alive. J
 ''How do you know:''
 "I've seen him He has been here. ,
 "Today?'
 "Only little while ago. It was no mistake I talked with him. What shall do? What shall I do?''
 Bronson was leaning back against his horse bewildered look of agony on his face But as she turned toward him he answered her appeal He came for ward and put his arm about her.
 'You see, 1 love your sister, he said to Harry ''She would have been my wife She shall be now if she will But, whatever she decides, love her and al ways shall " He spoke very slowly and distinctly "You hear me, Helen. What ever comes l will not fail you to the end ;
 For one minute she lay her head against his shoulder Then with sob she turned away and entered the house.
 After all, human everyday life is not a favorable background for tragedy. The awful happenings drop beneath the current, and the ripples run over them. and half the time we forget them un- less it happens to be our own hearts that are aching Before 49 hours had passed the little household was going on in it's old way apparently.
 It was on the evening of that second day that Harry came back from his weekly visit to the postoffice at the sta ticn
 I've got it sure, " he said to Bron- son. ''The Denver police have sent me a photograph of Captain Gordon. Good looking rascal, handing over the card. We can t miss; with that.
 Bronson scrutinized the likeness care fully
 ''It's a marked face. That scar across the forehead is peculiar and not easily hidden ;
 "Want to see it, Helen? If in your walks abroad you meet Captain Gordon, you'll know him. ''
 She glanced at it and turned @ livid face toward him.
 "Harry, it's Payne-Payne Morse. :"
 "What the devil am l to do? Poor Helen, she's made trouble for somebody her whole life through. Pm head and front of it all, and l can't go ahead with the thing now, for her sake-and you're no better off. I'll go down to. night, put the thing into Mason's hands and clear the country till it's over with. We'll have to start for Denver tomor. TOW without an hours delay, and Helen will have to stay here alone I'll get Mason's wife to come over, if she will have her. It's the best way l see out o1 bad bargain. '
 That was Harry Tryon's way, settling everything otfhand, but the plan was carried out, and Helen found herself solitary. Mason's wife came over, but was quickly recalled by the needs of g sick baby Happily Helen had steady nerves aid a controllable imagination. Of real danger there was very little, anc she was glad to be alone.
 Of what was going on about her she knew nothing. She had never takeI much interest ill the happenings of the country and gave no thought to the subject that had been Harry's great in terest for so long, Sam Lees work be- ing done, he had sauntered off to the cabins down ill the timber. Helen was swinging ill her hammock as usual, dreaming dreams and seeing visions il such dreary fashion as her past gave reason for Still, with all the sadness, there was a dreamy quiet which was not wholly pain, and with the silence, and the starlight, and the slow, monot onous rocking of her swinging cradle she fell asleep
 ''Helen!'
 "Yes, she said drovsily and fel asleep again.
 "Relen!' the word was spoken a lit tie louder A hand touched her. She sprang up broad awake now, Payne Morse stood before her.
 He was bareheaded, without his coat blood stained sling held his right arm torn handkerchief was knotted rounC his head; he was haggard and ghastly She knew it all at once. It was two hours since she had heard shots ill the timber and had lain idly speculating about echoes and the distance the sound had come.
 ''They are after me. Can you helT me?'' he said in hoarse gasp.
 'What can 1 do?' But it was not q question of helplessness. She was think ing hard.
 "They will come here, he said.
 "Yes, l suppose so Yes, l will dc my best, ' slowly.
 "I've been hung and shot, with a most unmirthful laugh. ''The rope '