The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-04-09
CHAPTER XI-,ContinucdD

remembered that Sun-bOnnrt and that
homely gown. He remembered how
his heart had gone out to that pretty
face at first sight. He remembered
how he had said a few dainty moth
ings TO the girl. and had ridden away
mountainward. Where had he ridden
to- Here the picture became con
fused again, and memory declined to
serve him.
He walked up and down his room,
and with the soft air bathing his face
he became more composed. lie made
another effort. Fred Ashland appear
I'd 10 him. dressed in a mixture Of the
Garb in which he had seen him only Il
month back. and of that in Use among
the mountaineers 1t was Fred Ash
land and 1t was not Fred Ashland
there was something perplcXing about
the mainland Fred Ashland received
him Cherry. and told him that he had
fOund gold, and that he required his
help.
On a sudden. the remembrance of
Dick AShland's letter. but latcly in his
hand. flashed across his mind. AMI the
scene stood revealed TO him. distinct
anal clear.
Great heavens.' III cried. that's
Dick Ashland. Dick Ashland, Dick
Ashland. The MAI who has never
been heard of ~again-the man who
found the gold the brother and the
living image of that man who anne to
me the other day"
He sank into his arm chair ana sat
there stoaily, tapping the tloor with
his foot. But I.ucy'S face CLEANED
again in the blue twilight, aud he re-
memlIered that, in a few moments. he
NN.iS fn Shnl-n bnp hand tn s.,,,.n him
self again Of her kindly sympathy. of
her love.
Th" expectation SOotled his anxiety
and left linn hopeful and bright. He
waited. as he thought. for an hour or
more, and then he thought another
hour passed. Sir William had prom
iSed that he should Scc Lucy that
night. and Lucy had o yet come.
The last CLEANS of day hail sunk in
n flood Of amber light behind the tree
tops and night had settled oven the
scene with soft ana pearly blues. Her
bert was still thinking Of the oma
hc loved. and who loved him so well,
wien the door OF his room opened
nOtS"lcSsly. ~and-yeS. there was Lucy.
stretching oft both her hands to him.
her face Il little palcr and Il little sad
der than when he had last seen it,. but
still aS lovely and az sweet as ever.
There was the warmth OF surprising
joy about their mutual greeting. and
for Il few moments they stood looking
into each others eyes, while a silent
tear ran down Lucy's face.
But he had so much TO tell her. He
grew warm upOn the subject OF his
ncwly-recovercd faculty. and she list
cned as if she drank life and happi-
nySS with nynry word Ifa WAS CD CllI
to be able to tell her all ne remcm-
bered. his boyish history. his days at
school and aftcrwarl and he wan
dcrrd IN to his royingS on the prairiCS.
lucy's ace became paicr yet. and Il
hustled awe trembled on her brow.
He told her all that h remembered
about heir first meeting. and about his
encounter with Dick Ashland. Sud
denly n look of horror crept over his
features. He started up. aS from Il
fearful dream. and stared at the girl
who sat in front OF him.
MY God" he exclaimed. its come
back to me-! It's come back to me. II
was David Maclane who murdered
Dick Ashland, ana he who tried to
murder mel"
He rose, writing his arms in the air.
and, with staring eyes, he rctreated Il
step or two.
Il can see him as If it were now" he
added. i'll nervous rapidity. II caI
see him in the moonlight. | am lying
here. and Dick Ashland is lying there"
lie pointed with O~utStrctched fingers
10 two distinct places on the carpet.
I'VE were both shot-those fiendS, the
Maclanes. have shot us from the gulct
head above. | can see David Maclanc
drawing "A big knife across Dick Ash
lands throat. n the blood is squirting
all over him as he kneels. an | fire Mt
h hound from where | lie; and he
comes running toward me and grips
me by the throat and takes my pistol
from me "A beats mt with ii on the
head-sayagely. %furiously. And | hear
n woman's voice crying stop. stop
and | can see you. Lucy-you. Lucy
coming down the gulch side"
The hot tears were streaming over
his face. His breath heaved as if in
~suffocating agony. and his hands quiz
cred 10y his side.
Lucy had risen. also, and was stand
ing there. like n white statue Of deS-
pair, wringing her hands in voicelcSs.
fearless torture.
lie gazed at her long and intently.
drawing his breath in vain efforts 10
speak. At last he clutched his hair
and cried:
Your father and our cousin mur-
dcred Dick Ashland-and you-you
saved my life"
He fell Town on his knees and
dragged himself to where she stood,
and covered her cold hand with kisses.
You angel of angels! Why did /
not know ere this what | W to you?
WHY do l remember ii only now"
When the picture of that fearful