The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-17

the light in the upper windows of the
cottage warned Lois that her father
had gone to bed.
Really, must go in now" she said
across the gate, for the tenth time, at
least. do be careful, and be sure and
take the road. It's longer than the
path, but it's much safer"
The young man laughed and was
glad What he would fain have said
could never dare say itself while she
still wore the old fashioned pearl ring,
but it was worth something to have
her anxious for his safety.
Don't borrow trouble on that score"
he rejoined, singing the camera over
his shoulder. Il doubt if 1 could find
the path in the dark if 1 should try.
When may 1 come again?"
Her blush made him thrill with pleas
ure. He could not see it, but he knew
it was there.
when do you want to Gomez"
Tomorrow, and the next day, and
the day after that, and
'Hushi" she commanded; and then,
by way of reprieve: Pm glad you like
our mountain. Come whenever you
please. Papa is always glad to see
YOU
A sudden access of daring filled his
EFT moi aussi, toujours,'' was the
laughing concession, as the fluttering
draperies disappeared up the path. The
tilt of the words sang itself over and
over as he went his way down the
starlit lane, making shift to forget the
dull luster of the pearls on Miss Dick
sons finger-temporarily, at least.
Lois stood at the edge of the porch
until the shape of him was but darker
blur against the shadowy background
of the forest at the lanes foot. Then
she turned to go in. In the act she had
a glimpse of a shadow darting quickly
across the lawn. 1t disappeared in the
blacker shadow of the cedar hedge,
and something impelled her to go back
to the gate. She was just in time to
see the figure of a man glide through
an opening in the cedars. 1t crouched
for an instant, as one who gropeS for a
missile in the dark. and then ran swift
ly down the lane. Lois saw and needed
no explanation. It was the negro Da-
- and his superstitious rage had
again gotten the better of his fear of
consequences. In the catching of her
breath she understood that Henry Rus
sells life lay in her hand, and the next
moment she, too, was flying down the
starlit lane.
She came upon the two men at the
first turn in the main road, and at the
sight her tongue clave to the roof of
her mouth. and her bones became as
water. Russell was down, and the ne
gro stood over him with a great stone !
uplifted.
David" Speech and strength came |
back to her in a tidal wave of conflict |
ing emotions, and she flung herself be- |
tween them.
The man dropped the stone, as he had |
the scythe blade, but he was 10th to |
abandon his purpose.
"Doan' you git en- de way, Miss Lois; |
ain gwine ter hut him none rs des |
amin ter smash dat debbirs hoodoo |
box o. his'n.''
You've killed him. she sobbed,
kneeling beside the felled one. Then,
with a sudden upblaze of authority: |
'Run-run to the house and call my
father, Tell him what you've done,
and bring him quickly Col"
When Russell opened his eyes he
thought he was on a train which was
roaring through an interminable tun-
mel. Not otherwise could the din and /
clamor drumming in his ears be ac-
for. Then the imaginary train
shot out into darkness and starlight |!
and silence, and he remembered. None
the less. there was a gap and things
in ii. Something had
struck him fairly between the Shout
iers and he had fallen face downward.
Now he was lying on his back with his
head piliowed. He groaned and the
returned. It was a train,
after all. and he must be in a berth in
he Pullman, with the roof of the car
gone and the stars twinklng sleepiiy
overhead. Cndoubted stars they were. |
and in the clear sky. and yet it was
aiming; he felt drop splash on his
heck. and was vaguely conscious of
l prompting to get up and seek shell
er. But when he would have essayed
[, two soft arms went about his neck
md pair of tremulous lips touched
lis forehead. As half stunned man
night. he said the first thing that sug-
rested itself. 'I don't care II it rains
,itchforks"
''Oh, I'm so glad" said a voice with a
ob in it. II was sure he had killed
-ou, Where are you hurt?''
Russell came to his own in the mat
er of self-possession with gratifying
elerity.
'As long as lie perfectly stin I'm