New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-10

ours hut presently distant light cared swift
~ among the gathering shadows and remained
motionless. AS I gazed I made out denser
blackness surrounding this light. which probably
indicated a house. l was aware that we were
not vet near the ranch the doctor had recon-
mended for our lodging. and guessed that TINS
one possessed some noteworthy objection Wh'ch
had induced him to pass it unmentioned: yet as
looked from my husbands deathlike face to my
horses heaving tanks. l thanked God for the
chance Of it's hospitality. Slowly drove toward
the vaguely outlined buildings whose ncreas-
nr bulk as we approached. suggested an estab-
Ushment of more than ordinary size, though
there was no other sign of life than that friendly
shining beacon. ! drew up before what seemed
the entrance and shouted Rex started into
wakefulness, door creaked sharply open, and
IN broad stream Of amplight a tall figure
doomed darky.
"'Who is here? he asked roughly.
".A man and woman who need shelter an
swercd with a quickly acquired mim.cry Of the
frontiers lack of euphuisn
"'You will have to 60 to the next place
"'How far?'
"'Fifteen miles.
INV husband is ill., and my horses are dead
beat
al can't take you. he interrupted sternly, and
turned away.
"J,s refusal was stranger than il seems to YOU
who dc not know that the prairie is as hosptable
as the desert and that cowboy shares his cabin
as generously as an Arab shares his tent.
REX ciasped my hand. and, sitting upright
struggled to speak but the words trailed away
into sigh, and he sank forward across my knees
.'He has falnedr l cried. For Gods sake,
help u.s.
"Thc man came to the wagons side and peered
at nv poor Rex and then at me. His look was
not unkindly. so much as sombrely anxious.
See here he said. I DON'T want to turn a
sick chap from my door. | would take care OF
him. If he was alone-but can't risk you"
"'Why%
81 hire convict labor from the State. I've sew
enty-fve rascals at work reservoir near by,
with only four guards and they will tramp back
to supper here in half an hour. Now do you
understand why don't dare let woman stay
"T dare to stay said. I've got pistol and
I can use IL. don't ask you to protect me. ask
YOU to give my husband a bed, and to let me
watch beside him.
Betty paused. Horror stared from six pairs Of
feminine eyes which had never confronted lifes
darkest aspects threatening one of their own
class. But in her clear glance shone that which
had met the gaze Of the frontersman ana con-
vinced him.
'He did not speak for long moment Betty
continued Then he paid womankind a COM
pment.
when a girl has got spunk, I'm darned II she
don't beat men folks out of sight. he cried.
After which he briefly Informed me that he pos
sessed cabin quarter OF mile distant where
he slept occasionally, when he wanted - get
away from his gang. There Rex and | might
pass the night in possible security If nobody dis
covered my preselce--a possibility. however, Tor
which he declined to be responsible.
"Of course eagerly accepted both the shelter
and It's danger. Within few minutes he in
stalled us In a tiny room, where the cot, to which
he carried Rex was almost the only furniture.
He barred the single window, brought me our
basket Of provisions and bucket of cool water.
and departed.
"'Tn "hobble" your horses where they amt
going to be found. and III come to see you off az
daylight before anybody Is stirring, he said,
closed, and don't you call for help never mind
how sick your man may be-he would rather die
than have you risk what might come to your
call"
During couple of hours could spare no anxi-
ETY. from Rex who recovered consciousness slowly,
so oppressed by the intense heat that every gasp
ing breath foreboded a hemorrhage. AT length
his wandering gaze rested on the closed shutters.
and returned to me with CLEAN Of hope.
More air. he faltered. open the window.
He had heard nothing Of our hosts warning.
and | could not explain to him a danger whose
mere suggestion. in his utter heplessness to pro-
tect me, would assuredly Kill him.
Il opened the shutters
After a time the gradual GOODNESS Of the night
stole upon us. the frown Of suffering left his
side the cot. and went to the water bucket 1t
was empty. I had used all its scant supply in
my despairing efforts to allay his fever with bath
ing and congresses.
IF he should wake presently he would crave
water? Duly l considered this new need, for |
was half dazed from fatigue. Could risk the
chance that Rex might rouse In my absence, and
grow uneasy while | wandered about in the
darkness seeking the spring without whose
neighborhood IN that arid land, ranch was
built? Could ] risk the enCOuntering Of that
other danger which threatened me?
II turned sharply at some slight sound, and
saw-oh girls. | shall renew that instant in
dreams while ! lve-I face and figure
framed by the black square Of the open window
a scowling. suen face, and figure in convict's
dress.
Il had been stupid from exhaustion moment
since; every sense was alert. The pause Of
amaZement at my presence, which kept this
rufhan motionless was all the space had 10 save
Rex and myself Probably a convict must be
unarmed? Yet should ! fire the pistol In my
belt even though killed this enemy the shot
would bring his fellows-and Rex would wake
Rex whose life trembled in slight a balance
that a dozen wild heartbeats would outweigh it.
with the realization of my helplessness fear
left me and | gazed straight into the wild light
eyes Of the who confronted me.
"A man whom God had made. and who there
fore possessed soul capable Of good. could but
Il walked softly 10 the window.
Whisper what you wish / murmured. My
husband will die II he wakes suddenly
mo answer Merely the dumb glare fierce yet
bewildered. OF those two unwinking eyes.
"If I can help you without leaving my sick
husband
"'You not afraid Of me-" he interrupted in
hoarse foreign accents.
No am not afraid of you Truly no longer
feared those bold eyes. that cruel jaw. those big
fists clinched on the window ledge-God knows
why!
Il stepped close to him. ! laid my hand on his
shoulder
"'You will neither hurt that sick man nor me-
murmured. You will help us.
Il brought the empty bucket TO him.
band VIII you fill this for me?
Silently he took the bucket and went away
You bolted the shutters at once" girl in
terrupted breathessly.
Il left them open," Betty replied, MY only
dread was that Rex would wake. But he slept
profoundly, and the convict returned speedily.
"a LII