The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-03-29

with every nerve. Her voice was steady
enough, however, as she went to the
curtained window.
"Who is it?''
"Morgan from over Point"
Captain Morgan? Yes 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 its place, and she went back
to adjust 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 in her. She stood in the doorway
presently, holding the lamp far above
her head that she might see her visitors,
a graceful, white clad shape, with shin
ing eyes and flushed cheeks. The men
rose involuntarily.
81 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 horse thief gang. He escaped
US a 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.
HE 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, she said calmly. Then she glanced
at the men. They were all splashed and
travel torn.
Gould I offer you any refreshment,
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 bewitching.
She looked so frail and slight, so en-
tirely different from the southwestern
feminine development, that Morgan, a
great, good natured giant, found him
self abashed. As for his companions,
they stood with their guns in the hol-
low of their arms, holding their hats
awkwardly 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 sig
nificant glance at the man nearest him,
"and we couldn't do much anyhow. 1t
is going to be blacker than pitch. If
you don't mind our camping ON the
place-you don't look much like work,
Mrs Morse, but I'm not bad hand at
a frying pan myself, +"
Certainly, gentlemen, with sweet
est courtesy. "You know the way to
the corncribs, and, H" 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 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
clipper as 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 worm
out man who makes the most of his
chances in safety. When night came
again and again, Sam Lee left the house
alone. Then, clad in Harry Tryon'a
garments and riding Rebeeca, Payne
Morse made his way to a 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
didn't make an end of me. -
Don't say that, Payne. Well live
out our lives. Yours might have such
chances if you chose to use them"