The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-09-25

over himself, but his countenance waa
sun nushed and bore traces, In the d.
s!aeed eye and quivering nostril, Of the
aseent quarrel in which he had been
Engaged. He came straight up to us
anusleaned his arm upon the huge
90 peam which ran acros the head
or the fireplace.
Master Heathcote," he said, .haye
you n other place where you could
ne y satety? Because I must tell you
plalnly, for the friendship I bear you.
lhal Q are not safe here"
.Owain!" cried his sister, in aston
'shment at this confirmation.
II Is too true, Enid" he said, mis-
aking her surprise. II would a thou
s sane times that there was 40 need to
give thls warning, but there Is"
Inc door opened once more, and Sir
Arthur Vaughan came in with soft
step n downcast eye. He shuffed
up TO the fire where we stood, and
spread his thin hands to the blaze.
his idea, clearly enough, was to be
present when Owain and I spoke to-
getner, and as we could scarcely make
1t plain that his presence was not re-
qulrec In his own DOR we remained
silent. Enid went away at once and
my uncle pursed his lips and stared
into the fire reflectiyely, as If he had
merely come to await the meal which
was shortly afterwards put on the ta-
pie. This was dispatched almost in ST.
fence, and upon its conclusion I with
drew to my w room and began seri-
ously to plan my next steps. After
some thought I resolved to strike
across into Herefordshlre, Where 1 had
ifiends who would receive me. / had
huns IN the wind at first between them
and Nant-y-Bryn. but had finally
CHOSEN the latter as the safer spot.
however, any port in a storm; and
l carefully loaded my pistols, took my
cloak from the hook where it had been
hanging since Siani gave it back to me,
and made up my mind to set out that
very night. 1t was clear, hard, frosty
sock had not moved a hoof for a couple
or days. We could go far beyond day
break, and SO much the better, for the
roads would be quiet. I had lately
ridden much about the surrounding
country with Owain, and knew which
way to march. l had just made an
end of my preparations when a tap
came at the door and Owain himself
appeared.
My dear Heathcote," said he, in a
low tone of deep %yexation, II am
more ashamed than I can tell you Of
the turn which affairs nave taken. 1t
seems traitorous to be glad to see you
go-for 1 perceive your preparations
after the fashion you stood shoulder
to shoulder with me last night. But I
IAN only say to you that 7 am rejoiced
that 0 have put my hint into prac-
teal service. 1 cannot tell you one
tenth Of the things I would, for I have
bound myself with a o Of conf
dence, given carelessly and without
dreaming Of what it would cover"
YOU" / cried, as he paused. do
not dream for an instant that l could
connect with this awkwardness. I
would trust my life In your hands a
hundred and a hundred times. But, as
you hint, there are other people in the
matter, and too many for one to stand
against"
You are only too right" he replied,
gloomily, "and this. a refuge Of a thou
sand, is denied you"
Fear nothing for me-" I answered,
II shall cross the marches into Here
fordshire, and lie for awhile in quar-
ters as safe as good friends can make
them"
His eye frightened and his brow
cleared.
You have come here to go?" he
cried. Heaven be praised! 1t has
been like lead at my heart to think you
must go out into danger alone"
The danger, l fear, is OF VOL SIDE"
said l. suppose these saTages make
another descent upon YOU; l would
give my left hand to be here to help
Their sting is drawn" returned
Owain; eleven slain and some Of them
for a surety wounded. 1t is more like
ly that we shall run them to their holes
and roo out this ancient mischief"
I was about to speak again, when
Owain laid a tinger on lips and looked
at me with such wide-opened eyes
and face Of earnest warning, that I
remained silent. His ears, keener than
mine, had caught a sound without, and
he made two or three sharp steps In
the room, as If approaching the door.
Then he stopped dead and listened. I
listened also and heard nothing save a
single, faint creak. Never a sound Of
q football came to my ears, only the
give Of a board under some ones
weight, as they sped away. Owain re-
turned to my side.
"I would dispense with a leave-tak-
ing of your uncle, if I wer you," he
said dryly, and, above all, not a word
again to me or to anyon else of where
you tiiink Of going"
Continued Next Week.)
ScAONI COL 0Nv