Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-09-17
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Bouton was doing by the campfire
and dreaming over the plans that had
filled his brain during the day He was
aroused by feeling a body pushed rudely
against / and he started up, expect
ing TO find that one of the horses had
broken his picket rope and wandered
over to the fire. Great was Bouton's
surprise at seeing before him a man
with gag in his mouth and his arms
bound 1t was not till he had taken out
the gag and cut the cords that he recog-
nized in the frightened, half strangled
man before him the renegade Patch.
With AN oath Bouton demanded to
know what had happened. Patch gave
1t as his belief that a very hot place had
broken loose.
"Sit down, man, and get your breath,
said Bouton, laying his hand on Patch's
shoulder and forcing him down. ''Sit
down and tell me all about it. Don't
speak out loud, for I've just had a devil
Of time trying to quiet those two
girls.
Patch did sit down, and after time
he got his breathing under control and
told his story with considerable clear
ness, though Bouton's impatient ques-
tions prevented anything like consecu-
tive narrative.
"And Brandon rescued the doctor?"
said Bouton at length.
yes 1t all happened just as told
you"
"Histl For your life, do not speak so
loud. Here! Follow me away from the
fire We must speak where there is no
danger of being overheard. He led
Patch to the bank of the stream and sat
down beside him under tree. Now go
on. but talk low, and for your life after
this tell no one the story"
Patch told his story with much detail,
nor did ne neglect to give himself due
prominence When he had concluded,
Bouton slapped him on the back.
Now, Patch, not word Of this to
any one. Do you understand"
"You can bet your bottom dollar do
Pm up to snuff, am. The feller that
can keep stiller tongue in his mouth
than mo was born dumb.
Good Now go and take a sleep. 1t
Will bDDu Dt
Patch followed this advice by coiling
up where he was and going to sleep at
once, and Bouton went back to the slum-
bering fro and resumed his DOING.
Sim Bliss was awake when Patch
came gasping into camp. Waiting till
Patch sat down, Sim, always ready to
play the spy, crept softly over to point
from which he could hear every word Of
the conversation without being himself
observed And when, for greater secu-
rity, Bouton led Patch to the edge Of the
stream, Sim followed, and not a word
escaped him. He communicated what he
had heard to his brother, and 1t was
agreed between them that Sim should
make his way TO Deadwood and tele-
graph to his father TO come on.
While they were discussing the stu
alton in frightened whispers the stars
began to pale and the orests Of tho
mountains TO the west took on the hue
Of fire opals Bearded figures rose from
tho ground In every direction and began
to yawn and stretch themselves. The
horses and mules, resting with lowered
hips beside tho river, began to prick up
their oars and resume their grazing.
The fires were renewed, and those whose
duty IL was 10 cook set about getting
tho morning meal. Henry Kyle went
down to the river to wash his face aDd
hands. Ho bent over a mirrorlike OK
panse under tho shade Of u bush, and
he was Mortified at the expression OF his
own face. IL was 30 aged, ghastly and
haggard He had not slept much, and
10 aeemed TO him that no could never
sleep again. His mother was ever In his
mind, or when he was not thinking OF
her he wils troubled about the prisoners,
and he cursed himself for the part he
had taken In their capture Having
bathed, ho returned 10 the campfire.
and though il was out OF his way no
passed near tho tree under which Alice
and Clara were sitting. The former did
not raise her white face. There was no
need TO do No. He could see the unutter-
able anguish Of its expression, and
again hc mentally cursed himself. lie
loved Alice Bla Il t4i with all the
fervor and blindn, Of his impulsivo
nature, and hc ma ri TINT when sho
was wholly unCrr J. T. lection no
could win her. Blu lenrned his
mistake. IIc looked at - IN an in
definite way, as one preoccup..J s;aros
into space. He saw the slender. girlish
figure and tho sad. wondering eyes. and
he staggered back and woke up 10 n
realization of tho situation. He could
have sworn for tho moment that his sis
tor Nora was before him. Like ono
o.. .,,.I,,at L-
cning viii, he went over and with un-
covered head stood before tho sisters.
Still Alico never looked up She could
not have been aware Of his presence.
Tho terrible grief in her brave, pure
heart controlled every thought cf her
brain. Tho introvcrtod look could take
no cognizanco u the external world.
Sho did not return his bow. made no
Sign TO indicate that she was aware Of
his presence, but Hhe was thrilled when
he fell on his knees and snld with II
choking voice:
"For Gods sake. lot mo speak TO
your
Speak" replied Clara. 1--WE arc
helpless % prevent you"
IL do not blame you for hating me-"
hc stammcrcd and rising stood with de-
jectcd head. II, and j alone. am to
blame for tho misfortune that has be-
fallen you In my heart, which isnotyet
wholly dead 30 the carly teachings Of Il
well beloved mother. I realize my own
degradation, and como 10 offer You my
aid
'Your aidi You offer your aidr' said
Alice in low. sad tones that pierced him
like lnifo thrusts.
That liz what l said, and will die
before I break my word"