The advocate., 1895-10-02
CHApTER Xxx.

hollows where the fern either side Of the
single track brushed the saddle skirts
with rank green fronds; skirting perilous
hillides, where q single misstep might
send you instantly TO rocky deeps below.
A cloud had risen and veiled the SUN.
Low mutterings Of thunder came up
from the south The wind sank to Gitful
gasps sobbing through the tree tops. Not
bird sang. A curious resonant stiffness
lay over and possessed the world
AT length Dare stopped her horse
short, saying:
"Surely, Mr.. Cleve, you have missed
the wayl You said we could easily get
to the old forge by 10 o'clock. It must
he near 2 now, and / see no sign Of it"
Don't youP Look ahead there to the
left p" Cleve said, indicating with his
whip an opening at one side Of the road.
Dare was inexpressibly relieved to see
the looming outlines Of a big weather
stained building. Springing down before
Cleve could swing himself from the sad
die, she flung the reins loose upon her
tired horse neck and ran forward, call.
ing eagerly:
"Aunt Mel, Aunt Mel, did You think
we were lostS am sure we have been,
though Mr.. Cleye would not say so.
The noise Of hoofs made her turn sud-
denly to see Cleve lash both horses so
sharply that at once they dashed away
into the dim woods beyond
"Why did you do thatH What do You
mean?' cried Dare, now thoroughly
aroused. Cleve stood with folded arms,
looking at her from under darkling
brows.
ooh, nothingl' he said quietly.
''Come, let us look for our friends."
Dare darted before him into the open
door, to find herself facing vacancy in a
huge desolate room, where for more than
30 years the spiders had been spinning
undistmbed their tapestry Of ruin.
"Why, they have gone and left usl
Wemust follow them at once" she said,
standing up very tall and straight, her
eyes full of contemptuous light. Royal
CleVe came close and said In q repressed
voice:
"That will not be easy, for they have
not been here.
"Where are theyH Take me to them
at onceP' Dare said, with little stamp
Of her foot. Cleve smiled family, saying:
GAS nearly as I can estimate it, they
are about leaving the old forge. 10 miles
as the crow flies from where we stand,
and 80 at least il you count hills and
windings Of the road"
Dare's heart gave q wild leap, but her
blood, neither the brave Overton strain
nor the hot tide Of the Dares, had no
taint Of cowardice. Unquailing, she look
ed at the man who held her so entirely
In his power and said, low and hard:
$50 it is as I feared You purposely
misled me. May ask what you hope or
expect to gain by it3''
THE thing I care most for In all the
world-yourseR, " Cleve said, drawing o
pace away and continuing: ''I do not
say fear not. / see there is no need for
II. Upon my life, Dare, ! never loved
you so well as now, when I see Of what
superb mettle you ara Any other wom-
an 80 placed would be vixenish OF hyS-
tericaL You only look at me with the
eyes Of an insulted goddess. lam sorry,
more than sorry, that You forced me to
this extremity. You might have escaped
It had you given me the mereSt shred Of
hope''--
Excuse rae I must be going. can
not listen longer" " Dare said, making as
IL to pass him where he stood.
A. avno ha okov,,aI Into kka 1onr.