The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-02-04

Il
was going, for he gave no sign of weari-
ness, but hurried on, animated perhaps
by the spirit of his rider.
About sunset 1t began to rain heavily,
and the horse sank to his fetlocks in
mud. Agnes drew rein at the first
sneiter she reached-a small, rude hut
In the heart Of a dense pine forest. It
was most forbidding-looking place,
ana mad her mind been less occupied,
Agnes might have hesitated about
seeking shelter there; but just now she
was not thinking of danger to herself.
Inc Inhabitants, an old man and
woman, were as rude as their home.
They gave her gruff invitation to
walk In. and led Jove of to a shed at
the rear of the hut.
She seated herself before the fire to
dry her clothes, and the woman
brought her a bowl of milk.
The man now came in, and the ava
rlclous eyes Of the couple wandered
frequently to the costly watch Agnes
wore at her girdle. The look in itself
would have been very suggestive to
an acute observer, but Agnes was so
ABSORBED In her own thoughts that she
noticed nothing that was passing
around her. Her grim entertainers
made few rough attempts at CONVEX
sation, but meeting with no encourage
ment, they soon relapsed into silence,
and after little while they told her
she might retire when she chose. She
rose quickly, glad of the prospect of
being alone, and followed the woman
up the rude ladder leading to the cham
Der above the kitchen.
In one corner there was sack filled
with dried leaves, and covered with a
warm quilt. The woman pointed to
this meagre bed.
1T be the best we've got" she said;
but It's not such as the like of We
have been use to. But I hope yell
sleep WE'LL"
She lay down on the outside of the
bed, without undressing. and tried to
sleep. But slumber held aloof. The
longer she lay, the more wakeful she
became. Full two hours passed, and
she was still restless.
Just as she was about to rise and walk
about a little in the hope that it would
bring the sleep she needed, she heard
distinct and ominous whisper coming
from the room below. Some secret,
unaccountable impulse led her to put
her ear to a crack in the flooring and
listen. The woman was speaking.
ut can be done in a minute, and it
will make us rich. You are fool to
dallyw
Softly old woman. She may not be
asleep. She looks like lady in some
sort O. trouble. Sech don't go to sleep
as innocent like you and I d." And
he gave the woman a nudge intended
to be facetious.
She answered, impatiently:
What want to know is will YOU
do it or not? Times passing. She'll
die easy. The knife is sharp. And the
old well is a safe place to rest in No
danger of ever being rooted out"
Its deed don't like to do" said
the man rubbing his grizzled, bald
head thoughtfully. "a man 1 don't
mind, but a woman is different thing.
But I won't be coward. Give me the
toothpick. That watch would tempt a
speaker in meeting"
Agnes waited to hear no more. She
knew that it was her own death she
had heard planned, and stepping roise-
lessly to the window she opened it and
looked out. The rain still fell, but it
was not so very dark. Somewhere
under the clouds there was a nearly
full moon. The window looked out on
! shed, and within its rude shelter she
heard Jove quietly munching his coarse
provender. The very sound gave her
courage. She did not feel the danger to
herself; she was only thinking that if
she persisted there, Lynde Graham
would be sacrificed.
She sprang lightly upon the shed,
slipped to the ground, and, untying her
horse, mounted and dashed away. All
the night she kept on, never daring to
stop, and when the sun rose in the
morning, red and cheerful after the
storm, it showed her the glittering
spires of the city Of Madison.
People stared at her in blank amaze
ment as she rode along the yet quiet
streets. Her habit was splashed with
mud, her riding cap soiied, and its
white feather ruined by the rain of the
night before; her horse was jaded and
travel-stained. and her pallid face and
eager eyes, above ALT was no won
der she excited wondering attention.
She asked for the residence of Gov.
Fulton, and stately stone mansion in
shaded square was pointed out to her.
The goal was reached at last.
She slipped from her horse, left him
at the great gate, and, ascending the
marble steps, put tremulous hand
upon the silver bell-knob.
a. - ;.-
CHAPTER WI.