The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-09-04
TrNUEp.
tGopyright. 1905. by j. ;B. 'Lippincot, COL

Ludlow rose from his knees and pro-
"ceeded ITO dump the contents of the
ralises upon the bed, ,whistling softly
To himself as he,did-so. THE schemes
ITS clear as diluted daylight, and it's
worthy of graduate of Scotland
Yard" he said. '"'There's only one
point that's.a little'misty; you've given
yourself part ;that'll ask for heap
of downright cold-blooded nerve, Hugh.
What have you done with your respect
ed traditions ,of inherent cowardice,
and the tlike?'
Left them in the hole up on the
mountain, i hope replied Ringbrand
struggling into the clothing handed
him Iby Ludlow. Anyway, that's just
what want to find out. On two oc-
.easions within the last three days
have managed ito scare up courage
enough to stand up to danger like a
man, but the conditions were such as
would have made n rabbit turn and
fight. What Il want to know now is if
the inspiration were merely an -eN-,
aggeration of the instinct of self-de-
Tense, or iflI'realiy did gain victory"
SWELL, you're certainly in fair way
TO settle the question if you carry out
your programme. Has it occurretltc
you that your calm demand will prob
ably be answered with couple of rifle
balls?''
live thought of that, but I mean
to take the chances-if don't weaken
and make a failure of the whole :af
fair"
Ringbrand completed his hasty toi
let, and they went down to the din
ing-room, where Mrs. Ludlow was wait
ing to serve the returned wanderer.
He took his accustomed place and made
a ravenous onslaught upon the hastily
prepared supper that astonished and
gratifed the sympathizing hostess.
How dreadfully hungry you were!"
she said, calling Aunt Nina to rcplen-
@ ish the empty bread-plate. Haven't
you had anything to eat all these days?"
Not very much. I'll tell you all
about it the first chance GET
Are you going away tonight % she
asked, when Ludlow went out to hf.ch
up the horse.
% YES; we are going up to The Lau-
rels,' and it may be late before we get
back"
Tin so glad! If you're going there,
TIL be good and not ask a single gucs-
'tion-until tomorrow"
'''Why are you glade"
Because Hester is worried. and /
want her to know you are alive AID
well.''
6 They heard Ludlow drive out to the
gate, and Ringbrand pushed back his
chair. ''.Have you anything else to tell
meY' he asked.
She shook her head with precise en-
ergy. Not n single, solitary word
except THAT you're to give my love to
Hester
-'T'm certainly do that" he promised.
Good night And he ran down the
walk and ,sprang into the phaeton be-
the mountain road.
The colonel and his son were sitting
on the werands when the phaeton
turned into the avenue, and Hester,
grieving SILENTLY I'm the darkness of her
room, heard Ringbrand's voice answer
ing the hearty, Nx'eleame of her father.
She ran to the stairway, stopped a mo-
ment to regain her self-control, and
then went down to meet him. They
had all gone into the parlcr. and when
she followed them Hester felt for a
swift instant that the, whole world
might read her secret in her face.
Ringbrand rose to meet her, and took
her extended hand in both of his. 81
told you good-by for some purpose aft
er all, didn't 1, Miss Hester?- he said,
smiling.
81 should think you did" she an
swered. reproachfully. where in the
worldhaveyou been? And what rlakes
you look SO thin and pale?'
81 tumbled into hole on the noun
tein." he explained. and, leading her to
chair. he seated himself. beside her
81 and recounted his adventures. careful
" suppressing all mention of the
Bynums, and leaving her to supposa
that he had simply met with an acct
dent.
81 should think you would have beer
starved almost to death" she said, pity,
ingly. .'How was it that some of the
men didn't find you2"
Ringbrand had heard nothing of the
search party. and she told him of the
efforts that had been made to find out
what had become of him. When she
told how the men had secured the
plateau, shouting, he remembered the
cry that had reached him just as he had
placed the first round of the ladder, and
he held her attantion with graphic de-
iPt!9n Of ~ sudden hope snd it