The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-08-21
CAMP TAuIPFA'9 ELEANOR.
An Arizona Romance, Written for This
Paper.
BY THE DUCHESS.

tanSS, ana galtOp away tO"aiu Cdup
Tampa. She knows they will follow
the circuitous route OF the creeks, and
she thinks that by going afoot directly
across the hills. she may possibly get to
the camp ahead Of them. But there Is
not moment to lose in preparation or
irrosolution. To re-enter the cave MI 3ht
be to encounter member Of the gang
and be detained. So she sets out at a
gait which she hopes to maintain for the
mile and bali which she has to ira
verse while the gang is going three or
four by roundabout route. Not once
does she slip or stumble, though the
ground is treacherous. Not on does
She lose heart; but, young and strong
and agile as she is, in spite OF her slen-
der frame, flies, straight as an arrow
from its bow, to the rescue OF him she
loves, In the loneliness and darkness
Of the hour, with fear fighting in her
breast for mastery over hope, she &C.
knowledges to herself for the first time
that she does, indeed, love Arthur Bran.
hard; that he and he alone Of all the
world is the one man for her. How lone
she seems that night How full Of CHASTITY
terrors! Now a rustic in the shrubs on her
right hard makes her bood run cold,
and now fancied whisper brings a
frightened sob to her throat. And now
Ut last the outlines Of the barracks fall
upon her stra:nng eyes. Encouraged
by them to fresh exerioEs, she runs as
though Heca!e herself were at her
heels, never draw ng breath until she
Stons at the gateway.
She finds The gate unfastened. The
young officer has not been within more
Than five minutes, and he Is scarcely
through with his search for inmates.
He meets her. Seeing him. oil at once
such sense Of security overcomes her
that losing sight Of the courage that
hitherto has sustained and upheld her,
she sways forward, and would have
fallen but that he catches her In his
arms.
MY darling, you here! What has
happened?" cries he, in great agitation.
Then she conquers the falntness,
and, raising herself from his embrace,
sinks into chair She tells him in a
few and hasty words Of all that has
happened; that the bandits may be
momentarily expected; that the mob OF
mine will probably arrive at day
break; that his life is in danger from
the former; and that they must try to
escape at once.
Il think I hear horses boots now,
she exclaims. Come" with nervous
haste, another five minutes may make
it too late"
"By Jovo! so it will. You must mount
my horse, and ride to Clayville.'
But you will come with me?"
Il can't 90 with you" says he, turn
Ing crimson u must remain here.
"Oh, you shall mott" cries the girl
vehemently. She lays her little white
hands, one crossed upon the other, or
his arm, and looks with eager eyes into
his face. Il pray you to come; will yov
refuse me?"
twill you make me creator coward
than you already deem mo-" returns he
hastily, the late wound still ranking
In moment, seeing how she shrink!
away from him, conscience stricken, h
curses himself in his heart for having
thus upbraided her.
Forgive me-, he says in an agony o
contriton.
"Ycu do right to reproach me, re
turns she in low tone, with her prett,
head bent down and lips quiverng, al
though in my heart never meant wha
said"
Il believe that" he says, gladly
Then. with sudden thought, he adds
I'VE have forgotten your father. II
must be rescued while the bandits ar
away from the cave; or else they mus
be captured. We must rouse the min
Ing camp, and start the vigilantes. 70
ride there with the news, while hol
tie fort until help comes.
But this plan Is frustrated by the ar
rival of the bandits. There Is clatte
Of horses hoofs down the gravelly as
sent, and Brannard, placing hi.aseI
(mpulsively in front Of Eleanor, stand
Vth his pistol raised to defend hel
The futility Of a single handed fight i
The open air with party Of bravadoe
IS so clear, however, that he at onc
retreats with the girl into the barracks
He has barely time to bar tho doors be
fore they are in the yard. Havin
Lrmed Eleapor, at her own reQues
with a revolver, he leads the way to a
upper room. Tho clouds, that in tn
EARLIER part Of the night were dull an
leaden. have all cleared away, and no
one sees most heavenly night. Ever
tree and shrub and leaf is a-glitter an
moonlight, lying over all, softens an
deepens into tenderest beauty eas
thing it touches.
There, look!" whispers E!eano
J hurriedly, tightening her fingers {
Brannard's.
Slowly, as they watch, party
robbers move toward the principal Ell
trance. One Of these, strikinga mate
sets fire to pine stick and then NOV
rapidly toward the door.
The officer at this, placing the girl
an angle where she is for the prese,
safe, filings wide the window, and cal
, aloud to tho men down below.
, What do you want here, you fe
lows?" he says, in a clear and by !
means conciliatory tone.
His sudden presence causes them
? como to standstill. Farley amor
themselves then ensues, Of very ar
l mated order, until broken by Jim, VIII