Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-10

mere mechanical skill 1t seems
strange that in the night time he could
have found his way so readily to the
gun-room in another part of the house
and distracted his own weapon in the
dark from the midst OF dozens OF other
weapons hanging there. His pistol was
not gone on the morning before his
flight, for | saw ii myself. Therefore
he must have taken time to secure it on
the night of his sudden departure-un-
less" more slowly still, cit was brought
to him by some one, He was hand
some fellow, and is no doubt response
bic for dozen broken hearts among
the Mexican bellies along the river"
Now, Maude had planned this at
tack while nursing his bruise, but he
had mistaken utterly the temper. OF the
woman with whom he had to deal.
With one side of her many-faced char
acter he was unscquainted and this was
her sense of humor. His clumsy at
tempt to terrorize struck her as dis
tinctly funny. and, because he loved
her and she knew that he loved her, the
game was in her hands. So she looked
at him with every appearance of earn
estness and said:
L KNOW HOlHlHS vi MI. w tStOu iop-
ographieal knowledge, of of the man
ner in which he obtained possession of
his weapon, but certainly he was the
most beautiful man | have ever known,
with a most beautiful voice and beau
tiful manners. Reckless he was. but
am sure he WAS not dishonest and he
had a splendid strength and courage.
| came within an ace Of falling in love
with him myself and am not sure that
if he asked me | would not have shared
his flight to the nearest Mexican par
sonage and he now n smuggler's bride.
regret his absence more than | can
say"
Maude looked at her placid face, then
marked a lurking devil OF laughter in
her reddish hazel eyes and muttered a
curse He saw that he was losing
ground rapidly and changed front:
"Of course, Miss English" he said
easily and genially, 'he made his es-
cape unaided. 1t was easy enough,
Indeed it, unfortunately for me, ! had
not been in his way, his progress to
freedom and thievery would have been
undelayed"
Yes" she said News OF the fight
Was sent to Fort Clark next day. Did
you hear what Captain Hading said?'
No" Maude replied incautously,
what did he say"
HE said: Good enough, Next time
meet him hope he will be hurt in
fair fight.
The eX-cavalry man without another
word, wheeled and left her. She look
ed after him musingly, with a dash of
triumph in her face. She knew that
now he was even more willing to work
her harm. but she cared nothing. Her
heart was sore and, womanlike she
enjoyed making some one pay for it,
The week which had passed since the
flight of her lover had seemed a month
in length to her She found herself
thinking of him every waking moment,
picturing to herself his face, his voice
his pose, his gesture and now and
then wave of crimson stole to her
cheeks as q memory OF his caress came
to her Work in the school room seem
ed intolerable in its irksomeness; the
prattle ut meal times the most inane
drive possible to endure Even Allyn
was hateful in her sight and she avoid
ed him when possible. Indeed her
! lengthy passage at arms with Maude
was not of her seeking lie had met
her as she was returning from a stroll.
met her at some distance from the
house and ranged alongside her in his
usual assured manner To show how
very much in love she was il is neces-
sary to mention only that she had Wis.,
tied Weston's room on the morning
after his fight, hoping to find some
token of him. 1t had been pretty mar
rowly searched by the excited males.
| but in one corner, under a pile of old
magaz -os she had lent to him. she
! found :. gle spur. II was not an at
| tractive object. dulled from use and
rusted from the river, but it was now
I locked in her escritoire along with her
most precious and secret belongings.
I She had held il in her hands often and
| thought OF the wild night rides upon
which il had been, and shuddered at
| the perils which had encompassed him,
and prayed feverishly for his return.
| Indeed. IT would have needed only his
I tones and presence to persuade her to
4 go with him, whether he had mended
/ his somewhat Grant ways or not. To
/ ouch a pass had strong, proud, re-
served. cold maiden come
She wanted to be alone and, as all
I things were at cross purposes. II seem
ed fitting that Allyn should meet her
before she reached the house and step
J her with unaccustomed decision.
Il want 10 talk to you. Miss English
Lois" he said. Think you have
avoided l1e u sate Why
II have not been well. she answered
\ failing in the suddenness Of his attack
/ to do better than conjure up a WON
ans setreotyped excuse.
! Even If that we're so-and you never
/ looked better in your life. am sure
am not still your BROTHER
I A look OF pain in his frank boyish
! face touched her and she held out her
hand Forgive me, she said but H.
deed am out Of sorts and not the best
OF company.
"You are in trouble fear.
4 mo ! am merely at outs with my
self II will pass"
Can not help your"
III Is nothing 50 serious as 10 need
help. Women must have their humors
YOU know, MFR Allyn"
Damn il | do know" be responded
4