The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-11-08
CHAPTER u.
Old ellis Girl.

GNlAtu W NAt uH'll AuE Instinct OF
an old Indian fighter. ellis. during
that first mad retreat had discovered
temporary shelter behind one OF the
largest powders. 1t was a trihe in
advance Of those later rolled into posi-
ton by the soldiers. but was OF a size
and shape which should have afforded
ample protection for two, and doubt
less would have done so had IL not
been for the firing from the clif op-
posite. Even then 1t was a DETECTED
bullet. glancing from of the polished
surface of the rock. which found lodg.
ment in the sturdy old fighters brain,
The girl had caught him as he fen. had
wasted all her treasured store OF wa.
ter in a vain effort TO cleanse the blood
from his features. and now sat there.
pillowing his head upon her knee. al
though the old man was stone dead
with the first touch of the ball. That
had occurred fully an hour before, but
she continued in the same posture. a
grave. pathetic figure. her face sobered
and careworn beyond her years. her
s.
grasping unconsciously the old mans
useless rife. She would scarcely have
been esteemed attractive even under
much happier circumstances and as
sisted by dress vet there was some
thing in the independent poise OF her
head, the steady fixedness of her pos
ture. which served TO interest Hamp-
ton as he now watched her curiously.
Fighting blood" he muttered ad-
miringly to himself. Might fail to
develop into very much of a society
bell. but likely to prove valuable out
here"
She was rather a slender slip OF a
thing. a trile too tall for her years.
perhaps. yet with no lack of develop
ment apparent in the slim, rounded
figure. Her coarse homemade dress
Of dark calico fitted her sadly. while
her rumpled hair. from which the
broad -brimmed hat had fallen. pos
sesscd a reddish copper tinge where
Il was touched by the sun. Mr.. Hamp-
ton survey did not increase his de-
sire for more intimate acquaintance
ship. yet he recognized anew her IN
doubted claim upon him.
Suppose l might just as well drop
out that way as any other" he reflect
"a. thoughtfully It's all in the game. ="
Lying fat upon his stomach, both
arms extended. be slowly forced him
SELF beyond his bowlder into the open.
There was no great distance TO be
traversed. and q considerable portion
OF the way was somewhat protected
by low bushes Hampton took few
chances OF those spying eyes above.
never uplifting his head the smallest
fraction of an inch. but reaching for
ward with blindly cropping hands.
caught hold upon any projecting root
OF stone which enabled him to drag
his body an inch farther. Twice they
fired directly down az him from the
opposite summit. and once a fieck OF
sharp rock. Clipped by a glancing bull
let. embedded itself in his cheek. dye
ing the whole side OF his face crimson.
But not once did he pause or glance
aside: nor did the girl look up from
the imploring face of her dead As he
crept silently in. sheltering himself
next 10 the body OF the dead man. she
perceived his presence FOR the first
time, and shrank back as If In dread.
What are you doing? Why-why
did you come here7" she questioned. a
ialter in her voice. and he noticed that
her eyes were dark and large. yielding
marked impress of beauty 10 her
face
Il was unwilling to leave you here
alone he answered. quietly. and hope
20 discover some means for getting
you safely back beside the others"
But ! didn't want YOU" and there
was look of positive dislike in her
widely opened eyes.
Didn't want me?" He echoed these
unexpected words in a tone OF com
plete surprise Surely you could not
desire 10 be left here alone? Why
didn't you want me?'
Because I know who you are," Her
voice seemed to catch in her throat.
lie told me. You're the man who
shot Jim Eberly."
Mr Hampton was never Of pro
nounced emotional nature. nor was he
rersn easily disconnected. yet he
flushed at the sound of these impul-
sive words. and the confident smile de-
sefies his lips. For a moment they
sal thus. the dead body lying between.
ana looked at each other. When the
man finally broke the constrained ST.
ience a deeper intonation had crept
into his voice.
Ny girl" he said gravely, and not
without a suspicion OF pleading. this
IS no place for me TO attempt any de-
tense Of shooting ARRAY in gambling
mouse. although | might plead with
some justice that Eberly enjoyed the
honor OF shooting first. | was not