The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-11-13

ride away across the hills INC get mar
ried. Dc you agrec?"-
She pressed her cheek a little tighter
for nswer and my heart leaped up as
lightly as though danger and death
Were far away instead of all around.
Soft footsteps We're heard gliding to-
ward US, and Enid drew a little away
from me 1t was Siani returning from
her own room. which was on this floor,
and bearing with her q warm cloak,
in which she wrapped her mistress.
well done, Siani,' said I, for the
night was growing very cold. NOW"
| went on, "could you find me an
other roll Of linen stuff like that one I
had?"
Yes, indeed" replied siani, the
room to keep them is up here And
away she wen again.
Then you Will go tonight" said my
love, laying her hand on my arm. oh,
do so, and | will only wait till after"
Dearest" said |. Il will press you to
nothing. If the place quiets and these
~rascals from a distance are got rid of,
| believe you would be safe here once
more, n / will go my ways n come
again for you before long. But, as nat
ters are, | will not bulge an inch from
your side
And yet you sent siani for the
cloth?" she said.
Yes" l returned, "for I will make
preparations to fit any case. And there
are several possible turns to tonight's
work"
Siani came back with the roll,
dropped it at my feet, shot down the
stairs, fell on hands and knees at the
foot, and glided along the gallery like
a snake. Enid stepped forward and
was about to call out, then checked
herself.
~ ,.>,,I1 zrI T.. ~ -
there was nothing to do now but to let
Slani carry out her plan, whatever it
might be. 1t was not likely any n
would venture up to the gallery again
just yet, for ] held a deadly advantage
from my dark watch tower above, and
| hurried to charge the empty pistols.
Minute after minute passed, and at
last Siani crept into sight again in the
fashion she had departed. but now
laden like a pack-horse, She dragged
after her a pair of great bulging sad
dlebags which I remembered had
Tapped against the sides of the flying
pony when I first saw them, and a dark
red riding dress.
l slipped down the stairs, relieved her
of the saddlebags and ran back. She
came closely after me, the dress flying
over her arm, her teeth, trailed after
her.
Why, siani," said I, you read my
very thoughts"
The keen-witted girl was doing ex-
actly what l had wished for, yet scarce
knowing how to set on foot. The roll
of stuff had given her a hin that off"
was the word; she Il come 20 the con-
clusion her mistress would not be left
behind, and here she was getting things
to hand.
Suddenly the keen tinkle and clash of
steel against steel rose to my ears. I
ran down a few steps and peeped into
the hall below.
The ill-feeling and drunken fury had
run to blows, n n couple of men were
hard at it, in dingdong fashion, hack
ing n heWing at each other ~furiOusly
while their companions We're drawn up.
in bands on either side of the place
yelling encouragement to the combat
ants. With a dozen blows the due!
was decided. The Nant-y-Bryn man
had failed to parry Il savage cut at the
head, and went down all In a heap with
his skull split across.
This was a signal for general combat.
Three or four friends of the fallen
man sprang in and struck at the victor,
whose companions We're no less ready
to save him han the Others were anX-
ious for revenge and upon the instant
a la hurly-burly Of battle ragged
within the hall.
I glanced upward. Enid had disap-
peared, and l turned my eyes again
upon the turmoil below. Swords rose
and fell, pistols cracked, shouts and
yeils rang out, and q reek of thick
vapor gathered over them.
There wants but one thing now"
thought I. Where are the Red Men
of the Dusk?'"
Continued Next Week.)