The Red Cloud chief., 1898-07-29
A Brave Coward.
By Robert Louis Stevenson.
CHAPTER IX.-fContlnued.)
BY Robert Louis Stevenson.

O'hhf MN
And with that he was gone among
the thicket. l made a fire, for I had
no fear OF the Italians. who had even
spared all the little possessions left in
my encampment; and. broken as she
was by the excitement and the hideous
catastrophe of the evening, l managed
10 bring her back to some composure of
mind and strength Of body.
Day had already come. when a sharp
"Hist?' sounded from the thicket. l
started from the ground, but the voice
OF Northmour was heard adding, in the
most tranquil tones: Come here,
Cassilis, and alone; | want to show you
something"
L consulted Clara with my eyes, and
receiving her tacit permission, left her
alone and clambered out Of the den.
At some distance of I saw Northmour
leaning against an alder. and. as soon
as he perceived me. he began walking
seward. l had almost overtaken him
as he reached the outskirts OF the
wood.
Look" said he, pausing.
A couple Of steps more brought me
out of the foliage. The light Of the
morning lay cold and clear over that
~well-known scene The pavilion was
but a blackened wreck.
Close by the islet q schooner yacht
lay to. and a well-manned boat was
pulling vigorously for the shore.
The Red Earl" | cried. The Red
Earl twelve hours too late!''
Feel in your pocket, Frank. Are
you armed?" asked Northmour.
l obeyed him. and l think | must
have become deadly pale. My revolver
had been taken from me.
you see ] have you in my power
he continued. 81 disarmed you last
night while you were nursing Clara:
but this morning-here-take your
pistol. No thanks" he cried, holding
up his hand. Il do not like them;
that is the only way you can annoy
me now"
He began to walk backward across
the links to meet the boat, and | toll
lowed a step or two behind. In front
OF the pavilion l paused to see where
Mr.. Huddlestone had fallen; but there
was no sign Of him, nor so much as q
trace OF blood.
"Graden Floe." said Northmour.
He continued to advance till we had
come to the head Of the beach.
mo farther, please" said ne.
Would you like to take her to Graden
House?"
Thank you,' replied I; II shall try
to get her to the minister's at Ora
den Wester."
The PROV OF the boat here grated on
the beach, and a sailor jumped ashore
with a line in his hand.
Wait a minute. lads!" cried North
mour; and then lower and to my pri-
vate ear: You had better say nothing
of this to her." he added.
ION the contrary" / broke out. "she
shall know everything that | can tell
you do not understand" he re-
turned, with an air of great dignity
1T will be nothing to her; she ex-
poets 1t of me. Good-bye!' he added
with a nod.
/ offered him my hand.
Excuse me-" said he. Its small, ]
know; but | can't push things quite so
far as that. i don't wish any sentimen-
tai business, to sit by your hearth a
white-haired wanderer, and all that
Quite the contrary: l hope to God
shall never again clap eyes on either
one Of you"
well, God bless you. Northmour!'
I said heartily.
"Oh, yes" he returned.
He walked down the beach, and the
man who was ashore gave him an arm
on board, and then showed off and
leaped into the bows himself. North.
mour took the tiller.
They were not yet half way to the
Red Earl, and l was still watchine
their progress when the sun rose oui
Of the sea.
One word more and my story is done
Years after Northmour was killed
fighting under the colors Of Garibald
for the Liberation OF Tyron.
THE END.