Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-01-22


around her, forgetting everything now of
the past, save that this woman loved
him, and that there was future before
them Of hope and joy.
Hold me like that" she whispered,
with a sigh Of content. at is better So.
1t could never have bcon-Only my wild
drcam-a woman's thirst for the love Of
one in whom she could believe. A won.
ans lovcw
AS the light grew stronger he saw that
ms companion seemed to have lost the old
masculine look given by her attire; for
coat and vest had been cast aside end
the loose shirt. open at the neck, had more
! the aspect of robe. Her dark hair curlrd
closely about her temples, and as Hum
/ phrcy Armstrong gazcd down at the face
| with its parted lips and long lashrs lying
| upon the creamy dark checks, his heart
/ throbbed for he felt that he had won
the love Of as handsome Il woman as any
upon whom his eyes had ever lighted.
lie forgot the wound, the bandanging
kerchicf seeming in the cmi.darkncss
like some scarf; and as he sat and gazed
he bent down lower and softly touched
the moist forehead with his lipS.
Mary woke up with a frightened start
and gazcd at him wildly, but as conscious
ness came her look softencd aud she
nestled to him.
II did not mean to wake you" he said
She started again and looked at him
wildly, as if she fancicd she had de-
tcctcd Il chillncss in his manner; hut his
eyes undeceiycd her, and as he raised her
hand to his lips, she let it rest there for
few moments, and then stole it round
mis- neck.
Tell me-" he said gently, your
wOundy"
She shook her head softly.
NO" she whispered; "ct it rest. Talk
of yourself You will wait here two days.
and then steal out at night aud make
your way down to the shore. You know
the wayT
IF do you will guide me-" he said.
She looked at him kccnly to see # he
meant what he said. and then reading the
sincerity of his words in his frank eyes,
she shook her head again.
No" she whispered you asked me
of my wound. 1t is home. Humphrey
Armstrong, this is to be my tomb!'
WHAT he cried. "Oh, no! no. no!
You must live to bless me with your
| lovew
Live to disgrace you with my lovev'
"Maryp'
There was such a depth of love, such
intensity in the tone in which he uttered
her name, that she moaned aloud.
"Ah, you are in PAIN he cried.
'ln pain for you" she whispered "for
you suffer for my sake. Hist! Do you
heary"
She chung to him tightly.
NO." he said, there is nothing"
YES" she said, softly. Steps. l can
hear them-they are coming back"
Mary signed to him to listen at that
moment the stone slab moved gently
few inches, for some one had seated III m
self upon the edge.
Nov, my lad" cried hoarse voice,
you know all about it, and I'm captain
now. Where's that prisoner?"
Sure ana how could | know any way,
Black MazzardY
Captain Mazzardv' roared the first
speaker.
"Oh. murther! Put them pishtols away
and I'll call we captain, or admiral if ye
likew
mo fooing! Where is that prisoner %
(Which one, sorg"
"No fooling. Paddy! Captain Arm
strong!"
Fax, an he must have run away,
skeart loike, whin he heerd you were
coming"
You know where he ISL
"Faix. and that's thrue," said Dinny.
Where is he, then? Tell me the truth,
and I'll let you live this time. Tell me
a lie, and I'll hang YOU"
Och, don't captain! Ye'd waken yer
crew horribly if ye were to hang me-"
I'll hang you as sure as you stand
there, II you don't confess"
"Murther! Don't now, captain. for |
shouldn't die dacentiy if We did hang me.
1t isn't a way I've been accustomed to-.
All, moind! That pishtol might go off"
at will go off if you don't speak. He's
hidden somewhere here, and you know
whore. Speak out!'
"Shpakc out! And is it shpakc out?"
said Dinny, slowly, as with advanced
blade Humphrey stood ready to plunge it
into the breast Of the first man who at
tempted to descend. "Oh. well, III
shpake out then"
Ito be continued)