Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-09-17
fcoNTINUED.l

CONTINUED
He came back to life with q sharI
tingling Of his whole frame as II pierc
ed with a thousand needles. He knew
he was being rubbed, and in his at
tempts to throw his torturers aside he
saw family by the light Of flickerine
fire that they were Cinnamon. and be
was lying on the floor Of q rude hut
With his first movements they ceased
and, wrapping him like mummy In
warm blankets, dragged him out Of the
heap of loose snow with which they
had been rubbing him toward the fire
that glowed upon the large adobe
hearth. The stinging pain was sue
ceeded by q warm glow. A pleasant
languor. which made even thought q
burden. came over him. and yet bis
perceptions were keenly alive to hia
surroundings. He heard the Cinnamon
mutter something and then depart,
leaving him alone. But presently he
vas aware of another figure that had
entered and was now sitting with Its
back to him ut rude table, roughly ex-
temporized from packing box, appar-
emily engaged in writing. 1t was
small Chinaman, evidently the one he
had chased. The events Of the past
few hours-his mission, his intentions
and every incident Of the pursuit-hash'
cd back upon him. Where was he?
What was he doing here? Had Trlxit
escaped him?
In his exhausted state he was unable
to formulate a question, which even
then he doubted II the Chinaman could
understand. So he simply watched him
lazily and with a certain kind Of fas-
cination until he should finish his writ
Ing and turn round. His long pigtail,
which seemed ridiculously dispropOr-
tionate to his size-the pigtail which
he remembered had streamed into the
air In his fight-had partly escaped
from the dish covered hat under which
II had been coiled. But, what was SIN
gular, it was not the wiry, black pigtail
Of his Mongolian fellows, but soft and
silky. and as the freight played upon
1t it seemed Of a shining chestnut
brown! 1t was lke-like- He stopped.
Was he dreaming again7 A long sigh
escaped him.
The figure instantly turned. He start
ed. II was Cissy Trixit! There was no
mistaking that charming sensitive
face, glowing with health and excite
ment. albeit showing here and there the
mark Of the pigment with which 1t had
)een stained. now hurriedly washed of.
A little bit of 1t had run into the COR
ners Of her eyelids and enhanced the
brilliancy Of her eyes.
He found his tongue with an effort.
what are you doing hereY' he said
with q faint voice and q fainter at
tempt to smile.
THAT'S what might ask about you" /"
she said psrtly, but with a slight touch
Of scorn. "But I guess I know, as well
as I DO about the others. came here
to see my father" she added defantly.
"And you are the-the-one-I chas.
edr he said desperately.
Eyes, and I'd have outrun you easily,
even with your horse to help you" she
said proudly. "only I turned back when
you went down into that prospector's
hole with your horse and his broken
neck atop Of you"
He groaned slightly. but more from
shame than pain. The young girl took
up glass of whisky ready on the table
and brought 1t to him. Take that! 1t
will fetch you all right In a moment.
Pepper says no bones are broken"
Masterton waived the proffered glass.
"Your father! Is he here?" he said
hurriedly. recalling his mission.
Not now. He's gone to the station
to-fetch my Clothes" she said, with .
little laugh.
ITO the stationY' repeated Master.
ton. bewildered.
"Yes." she replied. ito the station.
or course you don't know the news, 7"
she added. with an air Of glrllsh in-
portance. They've stopped all pro-
ceedings against him. and he's as free
as you are"
Masterton tried to rise. but another
groan escaped him. He was really In
pain. Cissy's bright eyes softened.
She knelt beside him. her soft breath
tanning his hair. and lifted him gently
"a q olttiuU pOsItion
"Oh, I've done it before!" she laughed
as she read his wonder, with bis graft
tude, In his eyes. "The horse was al
ready stiff. and you were nearly 30 by
the time l came up to you and got''-
she laughed again-"the other China
man to help me pull you out Of that
hole"
II know I owe you my life," be said.
bis face flushing.
1T was lucky was there" she re-
turned naively. perhaps lucky you
were chasing me-"
T'm afraid that Of the many who
would run after you should be the
least lucky" he said. with an attempt
to laugh that did not. however. conceal
his modification, but assure you that
only wished to have an interview
with your father-a business interview
perhaps as much In his interest az
my own"
The old look of audacity came back
to her face. II guess that's what they
all came here for-eXcept one-but II
didn't keep them from believing and
saying he was q thief behind his back.
Yet they all wanted his-conadence."
she added bitterly.
Masterton felt that his burning
cheeks were confessing the truth OF
this. "You excepted one," he said hest.
tatingly.
"Yes-the deputy sheriff. He came
to help me-"
"Your'
Eyes, mew A coquettish little toss Of
her head added to his confusion. "He
threw up his Job just to follow me
| without my knowing It to see that
didn't come to any harm. he saw me-
only once. too-at the house when be
came to take possession. he said be
thought was clear grit to risk every
thing to find father. and he said hs
saw 1t in me when he was there
That's how be guessed whore l wai
gone when ran away and followed
me-"
"He was as right az he was lucky"
| ssSA Ne storfon 1ra yolv. "But how do