The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-08
JUST MAN AND WOMAN.

The small cabin Of logs looked eyrie
enough high on the knoll scarcely dis
earnible amid the torrents Of rain thar
enveloped it as with a mist.
From out the gloom on the fort side
q small boat emerged. For minute
the solitary occupant permitted II 70
take its course, then, apparently oeSeln-
ing conscious the depression pointed me
lark No stream at an angle of SO de-
Grees After much effort the PROV STUCK
ia the soft clay and sllEht water
prOof-enveloped and hooded torn arose
and that the figure was 1alnlnlne was
evidenced as skirts were raise ana d
girl stepped to the shore. Tying the
boat she passed quickly through the
fringe of trees TO the cabin
Crashing a cudgel she shattered the
solitary window and after an instant 3
hesitation and some Difficulty, entered
Once inside she drew from he folds OF
an inner garment a small candle and
matches. With these she made light
and pressed the waNeu tapec into Inc
yielding earth.
q stafwart fellow of perhaps dve~and-
twenty years lay on thin bed Of straw,
his hands and feet manacled TO iron
stakes AS the feeble light WaXed pen
etrating il disclosed that he wore the
fatigue uniform of caNalfNrnan OF TIE
United States army.
The girls face was pale: her large
Blue eyes were dilated and her full red
Mps trembled. For an instant she stood
as though fOrgetful Of ner erralq, theu
abe sank to the straw and drew from
the folds Of her dress q large coarse file.
Intense femininity showed in every ac-
ton of her graceful almost childish tg-
ure. and she smiled aQologeucally al
most indiscernibly, as she pushed the
damp blonde hair which moisture hdd
robbed of its waves. back into the re-
cesses of her hood and vigorously ap-
piled the edge of the file TO the mans
chains. Neither spoke. slip of one
Of the tender hands brought blood 70
the tip of one of the white fingers and
without a word the man took tne STAIN
cd digit into his mouth and dried it on
the edge of his shirt. The chains sever
ed the man saL erect Still mute she
took his hand. assisted him to arise ana
drew him TO the shattered window As
his cramped limbs trembled and ne
leaned against the rude wall his com
panion, with a sob. pressed her arm
about him and lent the support OF her
body Reverently. fearfully, his arm
stole about the little figure and after
q minute the girl broke the long silence.
Come" she said Withdrawing from
the close contact.
'VVhereT Why
Never mind. come
IN respectful. obedient silence he
passed out and half drew. half lifted her
through the aperture Still holding ms
hand she led him beneath the dripping
boughs and down the slippery path nov
glIttering IN the rays OF the moon AT
the boat he hesitated-
You are making a mistake. little girI'
and the great voice trembled
She turned on him hercely
IF / did not believe you innocent, do
you think / would rescue your
A storm of passion shook the soul of
the man. He essayed to speak. hesitated
and finally said,
'J am glad you believe me sulltlesss
Madge. 7 did not kin him
There T knew you didn't Come"
His feeble objections availed nothing
and for half an hour the boat urged on
by current and the swift strokes of the
girl sped down the stream, while the
man sat with bowed head.
why don't you talk to me, Jim %
asked the girl az length resting her oars
save for an occasional splash to keep the
course clear Of the shore See how
fast we are drifting
Yes. we are drifting fast" he re-
piled sadly as though his powerful
frame were forcing utJerance against his
VIII. He exclaimed.
"NIadge killed Lieutenant Beverly"
Jim. ! knew You did"
Both were white to the lips and this
wide lustrOus eyes of the girl We're on
{ him with an intensity that rivaled the
brightest star above
II know what he said about me, ana
love you for what you have done
"But-you were to have married
him ."
yes
Then YOU can forgive mee'
That question is answered"
II couldn't tolerate. the things he said
about you. Madge He boosted and talk
ed OF the time you were I'm St Louis at
scheol and ne went there on a fur
Tough / wouldn't speak Of this but TO
Justify myself i'm your sight-but he
said"
Don't tell me, Jim i. know what he
said
ne hedi He ledl and I'm glad
killed him"
Never for am instant did the girls
eyes leave his as She crept to where he
sat and put her arms about his neck