Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-03-17

"You find Dick Whittlesey, Miriam,
and tell him to hitch ON to the light
wagon with the yellow gear, and drive
towards Merriman's by the Blue
Creek road as fast as he can. Wen
go across lots. If anythin's goin' to
happen it'll be at the Dip"
Parmelee had suddenly thought of
the remains of the fire which Ros-
sitter and Becraft had seen near this
depression in the road.
you know Sylvia went with IA
ther," said Miss Merton as she hur-
ried away.
by thunder, SO she dbl" cried
Parmelee.
Rossiter's face grew very grave at
this news.
"You haven't revolver, have you?"
he asked.
mo; I wish to heaven 1 had!" ex.
claimed the farm manager. There's
shotgun at the kiln, but it's so
heavy it'd be more hindrance than
USE"
Parmelee paused long enough at
the barn to catch up the ox-goad,
then he led the way down through
the orchard. The dog-trot pace he
set hardly satisfied the impatient Ros-
sitter, but he ventured no comment,
realizing that Parmelee was the bet
ter judge of time and distance. The
latter was inclined to drink at the
spring, but his companion restrained
him. telling him water was poor
stay for what they might have in
hand. Swerving from the logging
road at the glade, they struck off al
most at right angles. Progress was
slower now, yet they did not relax
into walk until they approached a
fence beyond which the bank of the
branch of the Blue Creek glen pitched
abruptly. Up to this time they had
exchanged but few words.
I've been thinlsin' it out" said
Parmelee, leaning for a breathing
space against the top fence-rail, IAN
l guess we'd better part here, SO that
you can hit the dip on one side and I
on the other. If you follow this fence
you'll come out in q pasture about
300 yards from the road; then If
they're in sight you can shout, and
wave 'em to stop. I'll cross the glen
here, and that'll land me on the other
side of the dip. In case everythin's
not all right, it may advantage us
more to have you appearin' from one
way an me from the other. You'll
have little farther to go, but 1 take
it you're a good bit speedier than
am. How does the plan strike you?"
"As excellent" answered Rossiter.
"All right, them" said Parmelee,
! we're Off" and he put his foot upon
the lower rail.
Here and there, as Rossiter sped
on, the sunlight lay in little golden
splashes upon moss and brackcn, but
mostly his track lay through soft,
cool, green shade. The ground was
high and dry, and, though the trees
set thickly, there was scarcely any
underground to impede his progress.
His blood sang in his veins, and he
was keyed to the height Of action.
He leaped across hollows, sprang over
fallen logs and vaulted cross-fences
with the light-heartedness of one
fastening to tryst. His thought
did not include Mr.. Merton, nor did
it take into account the possibility of
harm Detailing the one whom he was
speeding to guard. Neither did he
harbor any dream in his mind that
to him aught could accrue from any
aid he might give to the girl whose
/ gracious loneliness had grown to be
so much to him. He was filled with
the pure JOY Of serving. That alone
impelled him.
At length the forest grew thinner,
and he saw before him the open field
and beyond it the Blue Creek road.
AS he emerged from the trees he dis
covered that short distance from
the dip the highway took sharp
turn, so that in reality he had but q
few rods of it in view. He had
traversed perhaps half of the stretch
of pasture when he deserted horse
and buggy rounding the bend. Was
it Mr.. Merton and his niece? An in.
slant, and he knew it was, and Mr.
Merton vas driving rapidly. Rossite,
set up shout and began waving his
cap, but evidently the noise of thu
wheels drowned his cries, and against
the dark background of trees skirtine
the glen his figure was not seen, fol-
the occupants of the carriage did not
appear to be looking toward him, an6
there was no diminution in the speed
of the horse. He redoubled his shouts
! and yet without effect. Then it oc
: Cured to him that his proximity tt
) the fence and foliage might be the
cause of his not being noticed, and h,
ran obliquely into the field, swinging
: his arms. Just as the horse reached
the crest of the dip he fancied Mis-
Densmore observed him, but he wal
not sure, for a moment later tn
buggy disappeared.
He did not slacken his speed, bu
raced on over the springy turf, hi
ear alert to catch the first sounds O
q struggle. A confusion of shouts
cana to him as he drew near tn,
fence separating the pasture from tn
= naaa. He put his hanaa Upon the to