The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-12-31
BY X. G. PITXER.

Copyrightcd by Daily Story Pub. Coz
They sat on a fiat boulder in Pinne
Canon. while a hoavy@et bull-nccked
man in Il black mask leaned on a rifle
and looked at them. The girl WIS white
and silent, and her escort held her hand.
He was Il young man, dark and imper-
iouS but his eyes had a soft glow in
them. and he looked at her with that
ecstatic expression which but one woman
can bring to a mans face.
Don't worry" he whispered, as he
fondled the little hand. ut isn't any
thing serious. The men have my checks
to pay for our ransom, and when they
return with the money we will be re-
leased. 1t is only the matter of an hour
or 50. Turn your head. Mary do be-
Eeve you ar crying. And | thought you
such n brave girl" he continued in a
tone of forced raillery. You are al
ways laughing at me because | am timid
with dogs, and last week you refused me
again, for no other reason than because
l ran away from a gang of drunken
TowdeS. | never thought to see you
crying over such n harmless adventure"
Don't make fun of me, Harry" she
pleaded, as she struggled with her tears.
II never said that | was brave. | know
that I'm Il c-coward, but | want my
h-h-husband to be brave for both. And
you're not" she continued. indignation
getting the better of her fear. when
these men came, YOU just held out your
hands: and you've been like ii lamb"
Harry turned his head aside to conceal
the brond grin that flashed across HIS
face. Then he moved nearer and caught
her other hand
Listen, Mary" he said, Il know that
you think me Il coward, though | am
but cautious. | can risk myself when
there is any reason for doing so, but
reason with me must be something more
than mere braggadocio. You have lived
in the West so long that you can ap-
prcciate nothing but spectacular bray
cry. In my part Of the country that is
not needed. | am not what you think
me; indeed | am not"
Mary disengaged her hands and hid
her face in her handkerchief. Il think
THAT | know YOU she said. in Il SmOth-
cred voice. AT least, there is nothing
hypocrtical or false about you. You BIO
not pretend to be what you are not"
Harry'S face was convulScd in an eX-
traUrdimry manner. and turned to "a
ea-grecn hue. NO" he answered, faint
~, Il have never pretended to be better
than | am, even TO you. But if anything
would make me false to myself, it would
have been a desire for your appreciation;
a wish to be what you would have me
be-"
81 understand YOU" she said. Il even
: know what you are thinking of now.
You believe that | might--lovc yOu-if
you could make me admire your bravery.
Is it not 50: And YOU are thinking of
attacking that man there. 1t would he
a brave deed, Harry. 1t would be too
hravc--tOo rash"
NO" Harry answered. mot rash. and
not us dangerous as you think. II would
need but a little uuicknrSS. and ! have
that. | am going To- do il. Mary. | am
going to get you away from here before
the men return | will NOT ask you to
marry mel will not do this for reward.
But YOU know that | love You. and |
would risk II greater danger than this
Tor Your sake
ooh. no. no." Mary whispered. Don't
do it, Harry. II" might Kill you, and /
and a. her voice died away.
"And you love me- Harry asked.
eagerly. You don't say 50. but | know
it already. 1t is only your exaggerated
ideal of bravery that keeps You from
confcSSing it. Yau think that ! am not
worthy of YOU Int am. and | vii!
prove ii.
Won take a good deal for granted
said Mary. with sudden c"lInr>-. Il
don't think than hay" given You amy
reason 10 say that my interest is more
than friendly