Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-05-31
full tone with which he had always
met and overruled his objections.

"It will end in your arrest. and we
don't want that"
P1'Tts more than likely I'll be arrest
ed sooner or later, anyhow" he said.
q with suggestion Of wsariness. as II
this were matter 1t was a waste Of
time to consider. The Lord has set
Ms face against me. It's his wish
kshould return. I've been stubborn and
headstrong and wouldn't see it, but
look there" And he nodded toward
the red western sky. ITS a sum-
mons. got to obey whether I want
to or not"
at won't be safe. No telling what
they will do with you"
THAT aln't the question. Dannle:
that an't at all the question. It's
mot what they'll do to me-" And he
softly patted the hand that rested on
his arm.
Dan saw that his clothes hung loose
tly to his mighty frame. They were
torn and stained. He had the appear
ance of a man who had endured hard
ship, privation and toll His glance
was fugitive and anxious. Where
Yhave you been all this while?' he ask
ed Not hereT
mo; have been living in the woods.
trying to escape from the country, and
the fires wouldn't let me- Wherever
went they were there ahead of me,
ldEiving me back"
II NWhv did untt lyfiI hi,,,9 Io,,- ,Jtl a.
happenT Dan added. "Or is it all
mistake? Did you do it?"
The smile faded from the old con-
vict's lips.
at was a sort of accident, and 1t
was sort of carelessness, Dannie," he
Explained, with touch of sullenness.
"I hit him-not hard, mind you. |
know l shouldn't have done ii, but he
was in the wrong, and he wouldn't
listen to reason. | don't know when
ever seen man so set in his wick
sedness"
"And now you want to go back. Do
you know what it means If you are
ARRESTED? Have you thought of that?"
Roger Oakley waved the query aside
las though 1t concerned him not at all.
81 want to be with you," he said
wistfully. You may not get through
alive, and l want to be with you.
You'll need me. There's no one you
can trust as you can me, for | won't
ffail you no matter what the danger is.
And there's the girl, Dannie. Have
you thought of herY
Dan set his lips. MY God, can't
think Of anything else"
There was a moments silence.
Here" said Dan, thrusting his
bands into his pockets. Il am going to
olive you what money have. 1t isn't
much"
What for, DannieT
you are sure to be seen and recog-
b1)zed II you stay about here. Your de-
scription has been telegraphed all over
the state. For that reason I'll take you
with me part way. Then I'll slow up,
and you can hide again. It's your only
Chance. i am sorry can't do more for
3eu. wish | could. But perhaps we
4 h arrange to meet afterward."
His father smiled with the uneon-
ecious superiority Of the man who
nrmly believes he is controlled by an
Intelligence infinitely wist and beyond
all human conception. No amount of
argument could have convinced him
that Providence was not burning mil
lions Of feet Of standing timber and an
occasional town solely for his guild
ance. In his simple seriousness he saw
nothing absurd or preposterous In the
idea. He said
1--WE wanted to escape, Dannle. for
your sake, not for mine. But when
tended we should keep together. He
didn't bring us here for nothing. That
hint his way. There's no one to 60
with you but me, and you can't go
alone"
II can-I willw And Dan swore un-
der his breath. He realized that no
word of his could move his father. He
would carry his point. just as he al
ways had.
Durks came running along the plat
. form from the depot
Nlt's no use shaking his head. The
wires down. Say, you want to keep
your eyes open for the freight. 1t may
b. on the siding at Parker's Run. and
II may be on the main track"
: Ran made a last appeal to his father
Wont yop listen TO what say
sinking his voice to hoarse whisper
~They'll hang you-do you hear? Ii
ever they lay hands on you they will
show no mercy" II did not occur to
BIN that his father would he returnln.
under circumstances so exceptional
that public sentiment might well un.
6ergo radical change in his favor.
Roger Oakley merely smiled as nc
answered. with gentle composure: "i
1on't think we need 10 worry aoont
hat. We are In his hands. Dannla
And he raised his face to the heavens
Dan groaned
Come. then" he said aloud.
"I'll throw the switch for your And
the operatos ran down the track. be
WAS quite positive he should never set