The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-06-12
CHAPTER XIV.
Behind the Blind.

There was long pause till the sound
of the horses hoofs died away. Bell
was waiting for his companion to
speak. Her head was partly turned
from him. so that he could only watch
the dainty beauty of her profile. She
stood there, cold and still. but he could
see that she was profoundly agitated.
II never thought to see the day when
I should trust you again." she said. Il
never expected to trust any man
again."
You will trust me, darling" Bell
said, passionately. "If you still care
for nee as care for you. Do your"
The question came keen as steel.
Enid shivered and hesitated. Bell laid
light hand on her arm.
Speak" he said. II am going to
clear myself. / am going to take back
my good name. But IL you no longer
care for me, the rest matters nothing.
Speak"
II am not one of those who change,
God pity me-" Enid murmured.
Bell drew a long, deep breath. He
wanted TO assurance beyond that.
N"Nh iNnN tiiC way ne SdlNs nave
come at the right time; l have been
looking for you everywhere. and / find
you in the hour of your deepest sorrow.
When knew your aunt last she was a
cheerful, happy woman. From what I
hear, she is now suffering, you are all
suffering, under some blighting grief"
"oh, but IL you only knew what that
sorrow was, Hatherly!'
"Hatherly! How good the old name
sounds from your lips. Nobody has ev-
er called me that since--since we part
ed. And TO think that / should have
been searching for you all these years
when Miss Puth Gates could have Civ
en- me the clue at any time. And why
have you been playing such strange
tricks upon my friend, David Steel?
Why have you-What Is that?"
Somebody was moving somewhere IN
help. Enid started forward.
ut is Williams coming from the sta
bles," she said. 81 Rave so arranged 1t
that the dogs are holding up my dear
cousin, Reginald Henson, who is call
ing upon Williams to release him. II
Reynolds gets back to the house now
we are ruined. Follow me as well as
you can"
Enid disappeared down a narrow,
tangled path, leaving Bell TO limp
along painfully in her track A little
way off Henson was yelling Justify for
assistance. Williams, who had evil
IDENTIFY taken in the situation, was COM
ing up leisurely, chuckling at the dis
comfture of his enemy. The hounds
were whining and baying. From the
house came the notes of a love song
Lasslonately detained. A couple of
the great dogs came snarling up to Bell
erd laid their grimy muzzles on his
thighs, A cold sensation crept up and
down his spine as he came to a stand
still.
THE brutes!" he muttered. Mar
garet Henson must be mad, indeed, to
have these creatures about the place.
All! would you? Very we'll I'll play
the game fairly. and not move. II
remain quiet I shall have pleasant
night Of it, Let us hope for the best,
and that Enid win understand the sit
uation."
Meanwhile Enid had come up with
Williams. She laid her hand imperi-
ously upon his lips.
Not a word" she whispered. Mr..
Henson is held up by the dogs. He
n ust remain where he Is until I give
you the signal to release him. l know
you answered his call, but you are to
go no further"
Williams assented. willingly enough.
Everything that tended to the discom-
fort of Reginald Henson filled him with
peculiar and deep-seated pleasure
Very well, miss" he said. demurely.
And don't you hurry miss. This is
the kind Of job that calls for plenty Of
patience. And I'm really shockingly
deaf tonight
Williams retreated, leisurely, in the
direction OF the stables, but his mala-
dy was rot so distressing that he failed
10 hear a groan and a snarling curse
from Henson. Enid fed along the
track. where she found Bell. standing
patiently, with dogs muzzle at eth
er knee. His face was white and shin
ing, otherwise he showed no signs of
fear. Enid laid hand on the head of
either dog, and they rolled like great |
cats at her feet in the bushes.