Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-02-17

" aVuuSS Nuu UC lulGS UuL Wueu lue
weather changed, he became FESTIVE, ILL
humored, and dissatisfied. He finally in
duced Watt to leave the hut they were in
and so to Raven Rock, where they lit u
fire to warm themselves.
Martin raised himself to his full height
that the fire might illuminate him from
head to foot, and so he stood, with his
arms folded, thinking what Il fine fellow
he was, and regrctting that 40 appreciative
eye was there to see him.
"Of all things l could have dcsircd-thc
bcst!w exclaimed Martin Babb as Eve
came from the cover of the wood upon the
rocky floor. She was out of breath, and
could not speak. She put both hands on
her breast to control her breathing and
quiet her %throbbing heart.
Martin drew one foot over the other,
posing it on the toe, and allowed the yell
low freight to play over his handsome
| face and fine form. The appreciative eye
was there.
ooh, Martini" brcathed Eve, "you must
go-you must indeed!"
"NNhy, my Preciosa|
"My father knows all-how, I cannot
conjecture, but he does know, and he will
not spare yOu."
MY sweet flower" said Martin, not in
the least alarmed, "thc old gentleman can.
not hurt me. He cannot himself fetch the
dogs of justice and set them ON me; and
lie cannot send for them without your con.
sent. There is plenty of time for me to
give them the slip. All is arranged. To-
night l leave on Jasper's horse, which he
is good enough to lend me-"
"You do not know my father. He is not
alonc-Mr. Coyshc is with him. 1 cannot
answer for what he may do"
"Hah" said Martin, II see! Jealousy
may spur him on. You agreed to marry
Coyshc if l was not hunted down. He
knows that we are rivals. Watt, be off
with you after the horse. Perhaps it
would be better if l We're to depart. l
would not spare that pill-compoundine
Coyshc were he in my power, and l can
not expect him to spare me-" He spoke,
and his action was stacy, calculated to
impress Eve.
My dear Walter" said Martin, Ego to
Morwcll some other way than the direct
path: workmcn may he about-tl!e hour is
not so late"
The boy did not wait for further orders.
"You need not fear for me-" said the cs-
capped convict. Even il that dcspicable
roll-pill set off to collect men. / would
escape him. have but to leave this spot,
and l am safe. / presume not one of my
pursuers will be mounted"
why have you a fire hcrcY"
"The fire matters nothing" said Martin
grandly; "indced'-hc collected more fir
cones and threw them on-''indccd, if the
form of the hare is to he discovered, let it
be discovered warm. The hunters will
search the immediate neighborhood, and
the hare will be flying far, far away"
"You know best, of course; but it seems
TO me very dangerous"
II laugh ut danger!!" exclaimed Martin,
throwing a faggot on the flames. II dis
port in danger as the III in the
Storm" He unfoldcd his arms and waved
them owe the fire as a bird Tapping it's
wings.
And now," he went on, II leave you
to that llood-lctter. Why do I trouble
myself about my own worthless existence,
when you are about to fall Il prey to his
%ravcning jaw? No, Eve, that must never
he"
MARTIN said Eve. II must really go
home. l only ran here to warn you to he
off. and to tell you something. My father
has just said that my mother was your
sister,"
He looked at her in silence for some mo.
ments in real astonishment-so real that
he dropped his affected attitude and ex-
preston of face.
"Can this be possible:"
Gle declared before Mr.. Coyshe and
NE that it was So"
"You have the same name as my lost
sister," said Martin. "IIer l hardly re-
member. She ran away from home when
l was very young, and what became of her
we never heard. If my father knew. he
was silent about his knowledge. i am
sure Jasper did not know"
Then Martin recovered himself and
laughed.
why, Eve said he, "if this extraor-
binary story be true, l m your uncle and
natural protector. This has settled the
matter. You shall never have that bolus-
maker. lcech-applier, Coyshc. l forbid it.
l shall stand between you and the altar of
sacrifice. l extend my wing, and You take
refuge und@ it. l throw my mantle over
you and assure you of my protection. The
situation is realistically quite dramatic."
"Do not stand so near the edge of the
prccipice," pleaded Eve.
II always stand on the verge of preci.
piccs, but never go over" he answered.
II speak mctaphorically. Now, Eve, the
way is clear. You shall run away from
home as did YOU mother. and you shall
run away with me. Remember, l am your
natural protector"
AT that instant there was a crack, a
flash.
Martin staggered back, and put his hand
to his breast. Eve fell to her knees in
speeches. terror.
Come here" he said hoarsely, and
grasped her arm. ut is too late; l am
struck. l am done for"
n shout. and n man was seen %plun.inp
through the bushes.
Eve" said Martin, 81 will not lose
you.' He dragged her two PAGES in his
arms. All power of resistance was conc
from her. THAT doctor shall not have
YOU'LL spoil that at least" He stopped,
Kissed her lips and cheek and brow and
eyes. and in a moment flung himself, with
her in his arms. over the edge of the pre-
cipicc into the black abyss.