Daily camera., 1901-06-11

tude. His tone went through her like
n sword and she felt as if she. woult
fall, but from the support of her res,
less little horse.
IL can't tell you," she STAN
mered, mot just now"
He sprapg from his horse and came
up to her side.
perhaps this is providential
meeting" he said, more gravely than
he was accustomed to speak to her
"Do you remember nv words when ]
met you that time with How
Grimes?"
She shuddered and answered him
almost inaudihly.
that he is the leader of the gang of
horse thives which we have been try
ing for year to cXterminatc."
lie did not see how his word:,
blanched her face, but he noticed that
she Strengthened up and compressed
her lips, as If struggling with some
strong emotion. He attributed it to
doubt.
"You know" he continued, "that
have never mentioned his name to
you, for l could not do so without
casting suspicion on man whom as
yet had no means of proving guilty.
In the last few days I have learned
with the deepest regret that he has
been frequent visitor here, and
since morning have been following
his trail in this direction"
Dilly was dumb. She had been un-
able to speak, but listened with eyes
opened wide in q mental maze of
conflicting emotions.
II have proofs that are enough for
me and the law, but you may need
more. If he is innocent he will not
resist arrest; if he is guilty, he will
risk death to escape. viii that be
convincing to your
She inclined her head in reply.
Then there will be fight, and
someone will be killed." she said, al
most in gasps.
There are only two ways in which
n fight, and maybe death, can be
avoided. None of my comrades are
likely to reach here before morning.
II take him alone, ! must come up
on him suddenly, say for instance
in case you are talking to him, you
leave the room on some excuse, and
l suddenly enter in place of you. /
would then get the drop on him, and
if he Is innocent, no harm will be
done anyone. Or, if he is anything
to you, when | arrive an hour after
this, he will be an hour ahead of me
on his way to freedom. Let me help
you mount your horse"
In moment both We're in their sad
dies. Lieut., James gave her a part
ing salute, turned and spurred his
horse back on the trail around the
hill.
An hour later Lieut.. James rode up
to the door, and was met by Dillie's
father.
MY daughter Is anxious to see you
in our sitting-room." he said, hur-
III "a ~" ko!lN- dob uNttI-
stand 1t, but she seems too anxious
about it for us to press cny qucs-
tions just now. Bob, take the horse,
and, lieutenant, you come with me-"
The renchmaa led the way into the
sitting.room, which was duly lighted
with n small hand lamp He went
hurriedly out, leaving the lieutenant
in some suspense as TO what might
follow. In few minutes the door
leading to the parlor opened and
Dillie, with faltering step. ap-
peared. Leaving the door slightly
ajar, she came by the lieutenant with
out speaking. but stopped as she
opened the outside door. She looked
earnestly and anxiously for moment
at the handsome young soldier and
then pointed toward the parlor
door.
As soon as she was gone, he drew
two revolvers from under his cloak
and, with one ready in each hand, ad-
vanced to the parlor. Through the
chink left open in the door he saw
that the end of the room at his right
was unoccupied. If the man was
there he must be near the left end.
He flung the daor back and cried:
"Hands up" to the man at the table.
Grimes, with one spring, was across
the room to the chair on which was
hanging his belt. Instead of shoot
ing his man. as the lieutenant was
justified in doing, ne leaped after
him and dealt him blow on the
head that stretched him unconscious
upon the floor, but not before the
desperate had caught up revolver
and turned it accurately enough to
send n bullet into his assailant's
shoulder, When the family reached
the parlor, Grimes was securely tied.
The soldier found very capable
nurse, and n month before Grimes
was taken to the penitentisrY she
became his wife,