Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
coat, snatched up his bundle ana ran
down the stairs.

the road. The night was miserably
cold and raw. \ drizzling rain was
falling. In the darkness he made out
the shadow of a two horse, double seat
ed, covered spring wagon. A gruf
voice from the front seat said to him
as he appeared: You'd better hurry up
there. We haven't much time to throw
away"
"All right, cap'n; I'm here" said Kir-
by, hastily climbing up to the rear seat.
The driver started his team Immediate
ly. Kirby was about to take his seat
when he noticed another person on the
rear seat whom he had not seen before
owing to the complete shadow, the cur
tains at the side and rear being down.
When lie made out the figure to be that
of woman. he hesitated moment
and had Il mind to take seat with the
driver, but they were already started.
so he took his place beside the other
passenger.
They had not got more than well in
to the road when the clatter of swiftly
moving wheels in their rear was borne
to them, and apparently the occupant
of the other vehicle was in as much
haste rs they were. Their driver piled
the whip to his horses, and they plung-
ed along the rond mt furious pace.
kirby's fellow passenger put her head
out of the side and looked back, though
she could have seen nothing ten feet
away in that pitchy blackness. If she
did not SEQ. she must. however. have
heard that which gave her alarm for
she altered frightened cry, turned
TO Kirby and threw herself on him.
putting her arms around his neck and
bursting out crring and sobbing with
her head on his shoulder.
Now, my friend Kirby Smith Hus-
ton. being iientuckian, man of the
world and having figured in many adj
ventures In which the other sex was a
party, was not of that kind that is cas-.
lily ratified by sudden and surprising de-
velopments. but this hysterical explo-
sion of his fellow traveller, coming so
unexpectedly. dumfounded him for n
minute. No man is going to hold his
nerve when a strange and of course
beautiful lady throws herself at him in
the dark, 1t being an infrequent occur
renee with most of us. but Kirby's ear
| ly training stood him in hand at this
moment, and after the shock was over
he gracefully and chivalrously began
to soothe and quiet her and help her to
bear up in her bereavement, whatever
the cause might be.
There, there!" he said between jolts
of the wagon. Don't cry. It'll come
out all right. What's the matter? Tell
me; that's good girl
She crept closer TO him, as though
wanting protection. and he put his arm
around her to support her.
| ooh, I'm afraid" she said from
where her head was resting on his
shoulder.
afraid of what? Fear nothing. !
am with YOU" said Kirby in a face.
tiously grandiloquent way
"Oh, l know! But if he should catch
us!' she said.
Catch usy' said Kirby. HE never
will. Hurry up, there!' he yelled to
the driver. Lay 1t TO emf
"You don't know him as do" she
said between sobs.
THAT'S no doubt true" Kirby &c
| guessed.
Hes terrible when he's mad"
rs he? Then we may have some
| fun, for" said he under his breath
from what can see and what | cal
guess, lie must be pretty mad now"
| The other wagon could not be heard
above the noise OF tl:eir own progress
but their driver feared not but what II
was continuing in pursuit, for he KEEP,
on lashing his animals
| DO you think we'll succeed?" she
said after pause.
Sure, easy" said Kirby. though no,
in the least surmising what it was they
were to be successful in, only intent OIL
quoting his strange companion. An
other pause. Then she said suddenly:
"You won't desert me?''
Certainly not" said Kirby.
"Never?"
Never"
Promise" she said.
II promise" said Kirby.
kiss me- she whispered. turning
her face up TO his. Although takei
aback, it was not in him to refuse HI
complied very promptly. then fumblet
in his pocket for match, struck 1t
and what lie saw of her features. hall
hid in the folds of his overcoat, mus
have been very pleasing, for he kissed
her again. will say this-that sh,
was pretty when this occurred, fou
years ago. -
I'm happy now" she said.
"Are your?
Eyes. I've got you. Oh, but If hi
catches us he'll shoot! You won't lei
him shoot, will you?"
Elmo, not If l can help it." sat
Kirby.
Hes awfully hot tempered
"He must be-"
Its cruel to leave him this way
though"
"WhoY
why, papa" she said.
"Oh, yes, yes! He doesn't want t.
be left. does he?"
"And he's been SO good to me-" she
continued. Il wonder If you'll be goot
to me. VIII you?'
"See il don't" said Kirby.
"Always?"
Kirby. my boy" he said to himself
"what have you got mixed up in thi,
time? This'll be something for Chapip >
"Always?' she repeated.
"Sure, always. You can bet on me-
81 believe YOU" she said. do yor
know I've been little afraid of yor
until now. but now you seem so diff
ferent. feel as if can trust you"
That's good" he said.
"Yes, you've changed. Dut it's the
danger has made you strong and fear.
less. isn't IT."
Danger? Is there much danger?'
said Kirby.
"If he shouli ovcrtake US" she said.
us he big MANI" said Kirby, en-.
deavorlng to measure the probability
! of an encounter and in1rn of his own