Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1903-01-08

ne sinai CABIN OF logs looked
eyrie enough high on the knoll, scarce
ly discernible amid the torrents of
rain that enyeloped it as with mist.
The fringe of trees between it and
the river wept in sympathy with the
mournful soughing of the wind
through their tops. The patter on
leaves, roof and river steadily in
creased in volume until the fall par
took of the nature of a deluge. The
stream, swollen by heavy spring rains,
flowed swiftly between its dripping
banks and on the opposite shore rude
blockhouse and barracks were dimly
outlined against sky almost as
black
From out the gloom on the fort side
a small boat emerged. Although
pointed directly across it bore more
down than over the stream. For a
minute the solitary occupant per-
mitted it to take its course, then, ap-
parently becoming conscious of the
depression pointed the bark up stream.
at an angle of forty-five degrees. Aft
er much effort the prov stuck in the
soft clay and slight waterproof
veloped and hooded form arose, and
that the figure was feminine was evil
denced as skirts were raised and a girl
stepped to the shore. Tying the boat
she passed quickly through the fringe
of trees to the cabin.
Grasping a cudgel she shattered the
solitary window and after an instant's
hesitation and some difficulty, entered.
Once inside she drew from the folds
of an inner garment a small candle
and matches. With these she made a
light and pressed the waxen taper into
the yielding earth.
stalwart fellow of perhaps five
and-twenty years lay on a thin bed
of straw, his hands and feet manacled
to iron stakes. AS the feeble light
waxed penetrating it disclosed that
he wore the fatigue uniform of cav
alryman of the United States army.
Evidently it has been no easy task to
thus spike him to mother earth, for
his face showed an ugly cash and he
appeared a man who loved not mac
tivity.
The girls face was pale; her large
blue eyes were dilated and her full
red lips trembled. For an instant she
stood as though forgetful of her err
rand, then sank to the straw and drew
from the folds of her dress large
coarse file. Intense femininity showed
in every action of her graceful, al
most childish figure and she smiled
apologetically, almost indiscernibly as
she pushed the dank, blonde hair,
which moisture had robbed of it's
waves, back into the recesses of her
hood and vigorously applied the edge
of the file to the mans chains. Meth
er spoke. A slip of one of. the tender
hands brought blood to the tip of one
of the white fingers and without a
word the man took the stained digit
into his mouth and dried it on the
edge of his shirt The chains severed.
the man sat erect. Still mute she took
his hand, assisted him to arise and
drew him to the shattered window.
AS his cramped limbs trembled and he
leaned against the rude wall, his COM
panion, with a sob passed her arm
about him and lent the support of her
body Reverently, fearfully, his arm
stole around the little figure and aft.
er minute the girl broke the long
silence.
Come she said, withdrawing from
the close contact.
Where? Why?''
Never mind, come"
In respectful, obedient silence he
passed out and half drew, half lifted
hoy- ha
ind his hand, she led him beneath the
dripping boughs and down the slip
perry path now glittering in the rays
of the moon. At the boat he hest
tated.
You are making a mistake, little
girl''-and the great voice trembled.
She turned on him fiercely.
IF l did not believe you innocent,
do you think 1 would release you?"
A storm of passion shook the soul
of the man. He essayed to speak. hest
tated and finally said:
81 am glad you believe me guiltless,
Madge. 1 did not kill him."
There! l knew you didn't. Come"
His feeble objections availed moth
ing 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 at length, resting her
oars save for an occasional splash to
keep the course clear of the shore.
''See how fast we are drifting"
Eyes, we are drl1Ilng fast" he re-
piled sadly. Then with sudden