The San Francisco call., 1896-03-08

in intelligence and station, but none the
less strong, weil-favored, competent and
wholesome. There seemed to be q
recently developed understanding between
them. He was shy, but his eyes were filled
with alteration as he gazed into her face.
Her manner was bolder and alluring. His
contained an element of guilt and shame
Evidently she was the love-maker of the
two, and manifestly it was more shyness
than conscience that placed certain con-
straint upon HIM.
They had seen nothing of that which
had given the old man so great alarm, and
they were unaware of the tour eager young
ears that ambushed their conversation in
the brush.
ooh, but it is dreadful to be that ole
mans wifer' she exclaimed passionately.
HE seems very kind to you and to love
you very much" the man responded.
''How can he love me, wnen he buries
me in these lonely mountains and territies
me with his dreadful invention? Do you
call that lover Is it possible for girl who
has lived in the world to bear such horrors
as these?"
But" the man protested, ''he has now
perfected his invention. 1t is a wonderful
thing, and it will make him famous and
rich. And then you will return to the
great bright world, and will forget the
ignorant laborer who built your house and
cooked Tor you ana nelpeu your nuSDanU
set up the machinery"
The woman cast an arch glance upon
him, and, throwing wealth OF feeling
into her voice, said:
"Can woman ever forget a handsome,
kind and gentle man who did all these
things for her sake? Is woman blind
not to see in everything that man does
the one thing that to her is the most
precious In all the world2'
n JoI
She was looking UP into his strong face
with an appealing glance that it was not
in him to Withstand, had he such an IN
clinaton. He caught her in his arms,
kissed her and held her thus; and then
she gently put his arms away and thev
both stood looking at the ground. The
man tried to speak, but his voice failed
him. She had surer tongue and began
to talk about the commonpiaces, hard
ships and terrors of her life. The man was
grateful to her for that and quickly fell in
with her composure.
Tell me-" she said, what is in that box
you brought over the mountains the other
day"
An expression of pain came into the
mans face. HE made me promise
solemnly not to tell you," her companion
haltinglv made answer.
But you will tell me-" she pleaded, TAX
ing his arm in both her hands and nest
ling her face against it, her red lips offer
ing kiss.
"He-he told me it was dynamite, the
man said, his face blazing with shame.
She paled instantly and recoiled.
"What is he going to do with it?'' she
| eagerly inquired.
He didn't tell me-"
But you have some idea-you know"
| The unhappy man had not the art to
conceal the truth nor the strength to do
| his duty.
I'll have an idea," he stammered.
| Having the fine perception to see that
she was building a wall of ice between
them she changed her tactics. Her hard
| insistence became soft wheedling and in
| sinuating love-making. The man broke
! down completely and confessed:
~ think it's to blow up the whole works
with if anything goes wrong"
"Well, if what goes wrong9"
HE never said"
"But you have an idea"
The man was now sincere, as well as be-
wil,lered, when he answered, II haven't
the least idea"
The woman drew deep breath and
gazed silently at nothing.
'sHe has hidden it; doyou know where?"
Upon my honor don't. Ididn't know
he had"
The two then went on to the house and
entered, closing the door behind them.
The silent watchers recalled their wits.
Their courage and spirit of adventure had
returned and they held whispered con-
ference, wondering what it all meant. The
situation was too tempting, the possiblli-