Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-11-12

was silence for few moments. She
stood up and stepped forward.
Surely" said |, you do not think of
! going down again."
II ought to do So" she began, then
| stopped.
Very good" returned; "if you wish
1t will come with you. and see that
you are unmolested as far as 1 can
compass it,
ooh. no." she said hurriedly. ooh, no,
no, you must not do so. You must not
leave this secure post
And am to sit here. then, In COM
parative security. and picture you
somewhere below, exposed to the in
suits of drunken rufiians?"
You could escape" said she; II am
sure you could escape. There is no
watch posted about the house; all are
indoors. engaged too much In their
drink and quarreling to give any atten-
ton to what goes on without"
"Ay." I returned, escape easily
be simple to slip down from window
and whistle to Whitesock, who, thanks
again to you, is wandering somewhere
at hand on tn hillside"
And you will?' she whispered eager
ly.
And I will not" l whispered back;
what jog off over the hills and leave
you here, uncertain what may happen
you whom love, oh, so dearly"
Slant had vanished somewhere, and /
put my arm about Enid and drew her
closely to me, and laid my cheek
against the soft velvet of hers.
mo. no" l went on, from this time
your fortune is my fortune. l am all
alone in the world and YOU" 1
paused, vexed at my stupidity in bring
ing up such thoughts. and ten times
more so when felt warm tears roll
from her check to mine. Forgive my
clumsy tongue" l whispered; II only
meant that we must be all in all to
each other. Escape is the word. truly
enough. but we shall go together and
ride away across the hills and get mar
ried. DO you agree?'
She pressed her cheek a little tighter
for answer. and my heart leaped up as
lightly as though danger and death
We're far away instead of all around.
Soft footsteps were heard gliding to-
ward US. and Enid drew little away
from me. 1t was Siani returning from
her own room. which was on this floor,
and bearing with her warm cloak,
in which she wrapped her mistress.
well done. Siani.' said j. for the
night was growing very cold. Now,
/ went on. could you find me am
other roll of linen stuff like that one I
had?"
yes, indeed" replied siani, 1.-THE
room to keep them is up here" And
away she went again.
Then you will go tonight" said my
love, laying her hand on my arm. oh
do go, and / will only wait till after"
nothing. If the place quiets and these
rascals from a distance are got rid of,
believe you would be safe here Once
more, and I will go my ways and come
again for you before long. But, as mat
tiers are. will not bulge an inch from
your side"
"And yet you sent siani for the
cloth?" she said
Yes" 1 returned, "for / 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
1t would only give an alarm and
there was nothing to do now but to let
Slani carry out her plan, whatever it
might be. 1t was not likely any one
would venture up to the gallery again
just yet, for held a deadly advantage
from my dark watch tower above, and
l 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 pack-horse. She dragged
after her a pair OF great bulging sad
dlebags which I remembered had
tapped against the sides of the flying
red riding dress.
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, sisni." said ], you read my
very thoughts"
The keen-witted girl was doing ex-
actly what had wished for, yet scarce
knowing how TO set on foot. The roll
of stuff had given her a hint that loft"
was the word; SHE had come 20 the con-
clusion her mistress would not be left
behind, and here she was getting things
to hand.
Suddenly the keen tinllle and clash OF
steel against steel rose to my ears. l
ran down a few steps and peeped into
the hall below.
The ill-feeling and drunken fury had
run to blows, and Il couple of men We're
hard at 1T, in dingdong fashion, hack
ing and hewing at each other furiously
while their companions were drawn up
in bands on either side of the place
yelling encouragement to the combat
ants. With a dozen blows the duel
was decided. The NantyBryn man
had failed to parry u savage cut at the
head, and went down all In Il heap with
his skull split across.
This was Il signal for general combat.
Three or four friends of the fallen
man sprang i'm and struck at the victor.
whose companions We're no less ready
to save him than the others were an:l
ious for revenge. and upon the instant
Il mad hurlN- bury of battle ragged
within the hall
/ glanced upward. Enid had disap-
pcared, and l turned my eyes again
upon the turmoil below. Swords rose
md fell, pistols cracked, shouts and
yells rang out, and reek of thick
vapor gathered over them.
There wants but one thing now"
thought 1. Where are the Red Men
of the Dusk?'"
CONTINUED Next week.)
cleft Hand" in English.
Philadelphia Ledger: The re-