Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-03
CHAPTER XII.
TO LOOK UPWARD AS Tc A STAR

~ LOOh UfW AID Ao IL A . An.
Three nights later Lois English sat
in the prisoners room. Weston faced
her, few feet away. A sombrero lay
upon the floor at his feet Upon chair
near him was a revolver and belt of
cartridges. 1t has his own weapon,
captured with him, and she had
brought it to him, removing 1t from
the gun-room OF the rancho where all
of the armament was kept. He had
assured her that his three months
lapse from the strict letter Of the law
was at an end and that to her presence
and influence his redemption was Who'll
ly due. 1t was settled that he should
attempt to escape from the rancho on
that night. The task was easy, for
Glynn had made few inquiries concern
ing his condition, had not visited the
sick chamber for week and had no
idea that the wounded mans recovery
had been so rapid The smugger was
pale and his left arm had not regained
its strength. but there was a look of re-
turning health in his eyes and he NOV
ed lightly and steadily when on his
feet. 1t was his belief that, once clear
of the ranche-house, he could make
his way to the river at no great dis
lance to the west, ford 1t and on the
other side find friends among the com
mon people. II shall not seek Vavara. "
he had said. nor will see him or his
people. When am fully recovered and
have become mounted, l shall go to the
south. In faraway Mexico shall en-
deavor to make new career Your
face will be with me wherever go and
I shall look upward to 1t, as to star
that cheers me and beckons me on"
The shadow OF impending separation
upon her, the girl had made no answer
time, she thought, for fencing.
II believe you" she had answered
simply. IL think there Is In you capac-
ity for great good. II l have aroused
that capacity, II to me Is due your
struggle to become man valuable to
the state in which you live. am for
tunate woman"
1T is to you," he persisted. When
first saw you | knew that something
higher and purer had come into my
stained life and have never lost the
feeling"
About what time will you go?"
1.-The moon sets at one O'Clock. When
1t is black dark | shall make the at
tempt There will be no sensational
burglarious exit through window, no
broken shackles or field chains. shall
quietly walk out the front door, close
it after me and betake myself to the
west. l shall run no risk Of discovery
unless bump against some one y: the
rancho hands-Mexicans are great
night walkers-and him l shall endeav-
or to silence. | will not do him seri-
Gus harm, understand. | shall make
him merely to know that he must keep
still or else come with me to the river
edge. The Colts there"-he pointed
to the pistoi-"is sometimes most per-
suasive." He smiled as he spoke and
1t was easy to see that In any crisis
he was a man who might become ex-
ceedingly dangerous.
Il trust" she said, that you will
have no difficulty and will run into no
danger. feel that | am In some way
privy to your escape, and shall have
a difficulty in meeting the family to-
L
to a convcts CELL could not. | have
given your weapon to you and have
not reported your condition. 1t is true
that | was not asked for 1t, yet | have
practiced a passive deception. | am
willing to stand responsible for it.
believe that have done right. Should
I hear that you have failed me in any
single particular, should knowledge
come to me that you have relapsed to-
ward your old reckless courses ! should
know that had done wrong"
She spoke gravely, earnestly and,
though she did not know 1t, there was
a certain note of tenderness underlying
her voice Unconsciously she was ex-
pressing her trust in him and her grief
for his near departure. Perhaps his
quick ear caught the meaning OF the
intonation Perhaps some subtitle wave
of sympathy flowed from her to him
and gave him halfknowledge OF the
truth. At any rate, his pale face flush
ed and he rose restlessly from his chair,
ouly to sink back with slight sigh.
why should | hesitate?" he muttered
between his teeth. Il hall never see
her again" She heard the murmur
though not its import, and looked at
him questioningly.
His eyes met hers fairly and held
them. For a half-minute they looked
al each other. Then wave Of crimson
rushed to her cheeks. her bosom heaved
and her own eyes fell. Beating in her
temples was the old wild blood OF sun
nv southern France and she clenche1
her hands in her lap to keep down all
evidences Of the telltale emotion which
almost mastered her He saw and was
by her side in an instant. standing re-
spectfully apart and looking down up
on her. His own heart was beating
fiercely and his voice was thick and 10"
as he said, slowly and wonderingiy;
What was It that saw in your eyes
II was something new and dear, but
do not dare to name ii Think what
am. Miss English-a discredited gen
tleman, a companion Of contrabandls'
tas, a wounded lawbreaker who owes
more than his life to YOU, man ever
now preparing to fee from the disgrace
of a criminal trial and certain conVic'
ton. Back in the old South state whcrf
I was born my people think OF me al
one dead. for though ! have never rob
- - ~,olor or Stair I have been o,