The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-10-09

over himself, but hts countenance was
still flushed and bore traces, in the d.
lated eye and quivering nosilil. of the
recent quarrel in which he had been
engaged. He came straight up to US
and leaned his arm upon the huge
oaken beam which ran across the head
Of the fireplace.
Master Heathcote," he said, "have
you any other place where you could
plainly, for the friendship l bear you,
that you are not safe here
"Owaini' cried his sister, in aston
ishment at this confirmation.
1T is too true, Enid" he said. mis-
taking her surprise. Il would a thou
sand times that there was no need to
give this warning, but there is"
The door opened once more: and Sir
Arthur Vaughan came in with soft
step and downcast eye. He shufhed
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 l spoke to-
gether and as we could scarcely make
It plain that his presence was not re-
QuireG in his own room, we remained
silent. Enid went away at once and
my uncle pufsed his lips and stared
into the fire reflectively, as if he had
merely come to await the meal which
WAS shortly afterwards put on the ta-
Bile. This was dispatched a.nost in 81
lence, and upon its conclusion i with
drew to my own room and began seri-
ously 10 plan my next steps. After
some thought l resolved to strike
across into Herefordshre where l had
friends who would receive me. | had
hung 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. / Was clea:. hard. frosty
weather, bright moon: and White
sock had not moved hoof for q couple
Of days. We could go far beyond day
lreak, and SO much the better, for the
roads would be quiet. l had lately
ridden much about the surrounding
country With Owain, and knew which
way to march. I had just made an
end Of my preparations when tap
came 1T the door and Owain himself
appeared.
MY dear Heathcote," said he, in a
low tone Of deep vexation, Il am
more ashamed than | can tell you Of
the turn which affairs have taken. 1t
seems traitorous to be glad to see you
after the fashion you stood shoulder
to shoulder With me last night. But |
can only say to you that | am rejoiced
that you have put my hint into prac-
teal service. l cannot tell you one
tenth Of the things 1 would, for l have
bound myself with VOW of conf
dcnce, given careessly and without
dreaming Of what 1t would cover"
"You," 1 cried, as he paused. do
not dream for an instant that / could
connect you 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, 4 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-
tiers 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 so out into danger alone"
'"rhe danger. fear, Is on your side"
! said L. Suppose these savages make
aHOlner descent upon you, WOulu
give my left hand 10 be here to help"
Their sting is drawn" returned
! Owan; eleven slain and some of them
! for a surety wounded. 1t IS more like
| ly that we shall run them to their holes
and root out this ancient mischief"
l was about to speak again, when
| Owain laid a Iinger on lips and looked
at me with such Wide-opened eyes
| and face Of earnest warning, that
! remained silent. His ears, keener than
mine, had caught sound without, and
| he made two or three sharp steps In
| the room, as if approaching the door.
! Then he stopped dead and listened.
| listened also and heard nothing save a
| single, faint creak. Never a sound of
! a football came to my ears, only the
/ give of a board under some one's
weight. as they sped away. Owain re-
turned to my side.
II would dispense with leave talk
ing of your uncle if I wer YOU" he
said dryly, "and, above all, not word
again to me or to anyone else Of where
you think of going"
| Continued Next Week)