Evening star., 1899-04-15

for" said he under his breath, from what
L can see, and what l can guess, he must
be pretty mad now" "a,
The other wagon could not be heard
above the noise of their own progress but
their driver feared not but what it was
continuing in pursuit for he kept on LASH
ing his animals
DO you think Wen succeed?" she said
after a pause.
Sure, easy" said Kirby. though not in
the least surmising what it was they were
10 be successful in. only intent on quieting
MS strange companion. Another pause ;
then she said suddenly:
You won't desert me?'
Certainly not" said Kirby.
"Never?"
Never"
Promise she said.s
L promise said Kirby
Kiss me. she whispered, turning her
face up to his. Although taken aback, it
was not in him to refuse. He complied
very promptly. then fambled in his pocket
for match, struck it. and what he saw of
her features, half hid in the folds of his
oVercoat. must have been very pleasing for
he kissed her again. L will say this that
she was pretty when this occurred-four
years ago.
I'm happy now" she said.
Are you?
Yes. I've got you Oh. but if he catches
us-he'il shoot You won't let him shoot
you, will you?'
He's awfuiy hot-tempered."
He must be-
It's cruel to leave him this way, though &"
"Who?'
Why, papa she said
does he?"
And he's been so good to me-" she con-
mIiued. II wonder if you'll be good to me.
WIN your"
See if don't" said Kirby.
'Always?"
Kirby, my boy" he said to himself,
what have you got mixed up in this time?
Ihls IL be something for Chaplin"
Always" she repeated.
sure; Always. You can bet on me-"
Il believe YOU" she said DO you know.
I've been little afraid of you until now
But now you seem so different. l feel as If
L can trust you
That's good" he said
Yes. You've changed, but it's the danger
mas made you strong and fearless, isn't 1t ?''
Danger? Is there much danger?'' said
Kirby.
If he should overtake US she said
is he big mani? said Kirby, endeavor-
ing to measure the probability of en-
counter and judge of his own chances
Big man?' she queried.
Yes. Is he handy?"
Why, who?"
Papa" he said.
why, you know. You saw him once
Don't You remember? He's not SO very
strong, you know but he'll shoot"
oh" said Kirby. He would rather pro-
long the situation as it was, and was salts
lied with guessing at many things, rather
than risk the danger of a change, with its
probable revelations, g.by too close question:
ing. q IT
And all the whiles they We're pounding
along steadily, and without pause, into the
black unknown ahead of them, the rain and
wind beating in their faces, so that CONVEX
satton was difficult unless the speakers were
close together, as were the two passengers,
with mouth to ear. The driver sat bent for
ward, peering ahead, with cap drawn down,
and coat collar around hiS ears, continually
urging on his horsesT When. as in mount
ing hill or where the sandy road made
quick progress impossible they slackened
their pace and the noise of their vehicle
was deadened, they could hear, above the
SOFT purr of the wind and rain. the rattle
OF wheels and the bounding of hoofs in
their rear. The purSuers did not seem to
gain on them. but neither did he lag far
behind On these occasions renewed teri or
would seize the girl she would cling closer
to her protector, and Kirby. as In duty
bound. continued his efforts to soothe her.
In this he succeeded WELL for l must say,
he is very accomplished in knowledge of
the ways of femininity. I have known
Kirby a long time, and of his escapades
before and after his marriage, have per-
sonal cosntzance of many, and have heard
from good authority (Chapin) of more. and
have always been surprised at his faculty
devotion-of the fair sex.
1t began to get lighter as they sped on
The day was beginning. Objects along the
road and in the wagon became diseernible.
though back betweenat the curtains on the
rear seat where sat the bewildered and puZ-
zled though outwardly serene, Kirby and the
anxious girl. 1t was as dark as ever Puz-
zled he was surely. but doubt II in all this
time he gave a thought to any serious con-
sequences that might arise. He did not un-
derstand the situation further than that a
woman was with him in Conrads rig. pre-
sumably going to Antioch like himself, and