The Washington times., 1904-12-25
CHAPTER III (continuedl.


not for that When he went out he shut
the door to keep out the heat.
Another thing" he said. those
horses need to be fed. L wonder where,
I can get some hay or oats
He went back to the shed and relieved
the girls horse of its trappings.
Take it easy, poor brutes, he told
them Perhaps I'll find enough to keep
you from starving
But, search as he would, there was
nothing to be found in the way or nay
or oats. He did, however, chance on a
supply OF potatoes and other yegetabies.
He cut up some potatoes and carrots,
which both horses ate sreedIiy' te
then gave each a cracker box, IN Wnich
he had placed some ears of corn.
..Nibble on them" he said Ii VIII De
good for your teeth
He took the bag CT gold from the sad
die bag and examined it. There was
nothing about it TO determine the
owners name, but Cayright had no
doubt that the bag had been stolen from
the house by the murderers-
iii leave it here till the girl IS able
to hear the TRUTH he decided, replac-
ing the bag 'It won't do any harm.
Hour after hour passed wearily. AT
times he would drop into doze on the
couch. but would start up in some Wild
dream.
Each time he woke he went to see IL
the girl had returned to consciousness
About two hours after midnight, on
one of these trips, he foand her awake
and weeping. As he entered with
lamp in his hand, she started up with a
cry of alarm.
.eYcu still herev's she exclaimed.
--,,, ,,o4 dn,3a enough 9''
ssSee here. he said sternly, putting
the lamp on a dresser and facing her Il
want to know what you mean by accus-
ing me of this horrible crime? l came
to this house for shelter found your
father and mother dead
son nv way here l kicked up a bag
of gold. / have it now, in my saddlebag.
II probabIy was dropped by the murder
ers while running off 1t is yours /
am not a robber nor a murderer. !
am trying now to do the best we can
till we can get help. But there's no fun
in being charged with murder. want
you to stop 1t.
She buried her face in her hands and
her frame shook violently. Whether
his words had impressed her. or her
emotion was that of fear and horror,
he could not say.
He said no more, but took UP the
lamp and went out.
Anyway" he muttered, '.she is al
right I won't have a case OF brain
fever to manage.
He lay down again to sleep. and be-
fore his eyes had closed he heard a
click as of lock.
Hump" ne said, grim smile play
ing ON his face. ..She is locking her.
self in. Evidently I did not impress hel
very much with my speech. I'm guilty
In her eyes Well thank goodness. {
Jury is composed of men. not women
I'd be hanged, suppose, if women hae
the say.
He stretched himself. yawned in sheel
desperation and went to sleep.
In the morning he was delighted Il
find that the snow, though still falling
was diminishing in quantity From
the shed he could see two or three out
buildings, with great banks of snow nal
covering their exposed sides.
.I wonder if there are any creature!
ont there to be fed" he said. I'D hat
to have them starve TO death. III asl
the girl
He knocked on her door. but received
no answer.
miss Hubbick," he said, II am still
here But you need not be alarmed
am going just as soon as the roads per
nit me. shall go to Hubbicks and re
port this affair and send help. L shal
remain there if / am wanted, but not t
annoy you Just now / want to know
if you have any animals in the she'd
that will be likely to suffer withou
food
He heard a muffied moan.
Then the door was opened, and tn
girl, red-eyed and white-faced, cam
cut.
You are a strange man." she said
do you steal sheep as well as gold?"
An angry expression rose to his lips
but as he looked at the wild eyes, tn
trembling lips. the shaking hands, h
repressed them.
eShe doesn't know what she is say
ing" he thought. III wait till she
calm before 1 answer her"
She walked to the door Of the othe
room and looked at the dead faces Wit
a glance she took in the arrangement
he had made, and knew why the VIII
dow was open.
Suddenly she held out her hand.
Pardon me- she said. 'I am I.o
myself This has shattered my sell
command. But a murderer would nc
do that. Will you forgive me?"
.sWillingly,'' he said, forgetting all II
sentiment as her pleading voice reaehe
his sympathetic heart. 81 bear no
VIII. But we have a Joint work befor
us. 1t is possible that three or for
days will elapse before L can go
Hubbicks. Meantime, things cannot
left to take care OF themselves"
II know" she said. helpiessly, an
sank into a chair.
Don't lose consciousness again. !
pleaded. "You are wax Let me q
you some breakfast. Yeu owe it to you
self to remain firm and preserve yol
strength"
He hurried to the kitchen, where
already had fire, and put on son
coffee He poured out liberal drir
of brandy and made her swallow II.
my poor little lambs she said, wit
shuader They must be hungry
"Where are they. I'll feed them"
Not now. You could not reac
them. Wait until the snow stops
So she considered his welfare, aft
all. 1t was a hopeful sign.
When they had eaten, he again was