Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-03

sSs@sSj by Il tangle of rank growt
 k@Xg the three in the coulee mad
 fast progress over the first two miles
 Charley led. After him came Mary
 lyn, to whom the loathed split in tn
 plain was become place of refuge
 In the rear, covering her sister agains
 possible attack, followed Dallas.
 The strain told first on the younge
 girl. Before three miles had beer
 travelled, as she sank in a shallow poo
 to wet her lips her strength utterly
 failed her. She could not rise and
 pleaded faintly for rest.
 Just minute, Dallas, please.
 can't go. My side hurts"
 Dallas helped her through a hinder
 ing weave of pond weeds and lilies and
 laid her upon some marsh grass be
 yond. Meanwhile Charley stole back a
 brief, for he returned straightway and
 twitched at their dresses, when the
 elder girl lifted the younger to her
 feet. whispering encouragement.
 Once more they pressed forward.
 The lightning had ceased. With a last
 grumble and scatter of drops the
 clouds were pulling apart. Here and there q few stars shone These thinned the darkness considerably, and at a point where the coulee shallowed Dal- las was able dimly to see the toiling shapes ahead. Marylyn was wavering.
 "Spunlly little girl" urged the elder girl. Lifting the rife to her left shoul- der, she came alongside to give the support of an arm.
 Where's the cartridge belt?' she whispered.
 Heavy" panted the other Dropped it."
 And now despite Dallas aid Mary lyn struggled weakly. Another mile, and with scarcely a sigh of warning she sank again exhausted.
 Charley" called Dallas. The Indian joined them. You take one arm that's it." She took the other. ThusI they proceeded
 Finally Dallas stopped Hide, hide," she counseied between breaths. "A dark place.
 Ignoring the advice, the outcast thrust his bow and arrows into her hands. then. squatting before Marylyn, he seized her wrist, drew her, limp and half dead, upon his back and staggered on.
 Hold to Charley. dear" begged Dal- las. Hes carrying you pickapack."
 The younger girl murmured grate- fully and locked her hands beneath the Indians chin. This left his arms free to part q path through the thick cts of burweed and plantain that chok- ed the defile, and for fully half hour he kept a good jog. But. well worn and hampered as he was. he began then to wabble.
 Dallas gave him the weapons and received Marylyn upon her own shoul- ders. Notwithstanding the long way her vigor remained splendid. And when there came tendency to lag she fought it stoutly. Not until her limbs refused their service did she drop down.
 Under her wild rye made cool. stiff i couch. She reached through it and dug her fingers into the wet earth. l Marylyn tOppled over back and lay | beside her, prone. Charley leaned on | an elbow, breathing hard, watching
 When, far behind, down the shad- | owy crack through which they had | come, sounded wild whoops.
 They scrambled up. terror stricken. Like hunted deer they whipped away again, knowing that in their wake. in- stead of the one man they had seen. was horde!
 Once more. though after brave ef- fort, 1t was' Marylyn who compelled a halt. Dallas strOve to rouse her. ''Try I little longer. honey. Come on. come on" But the other only sobbed hys- terically until Charley put his hand lpon her mouth.
 Cant we crawl OutT' demanded Dallas. Quick. they'll pass.''
 The Outcast shook his head. coming lose that she might see his answer. "NO use?"
 He shook his head again and signed hat their pursuers had horses.
 It was a moment of supreme despair. 'he laid her arms upon her knees, her ace upon her arms. Their puny hu- nan power had failed. Where else Ould they look for succor? Would .ounsbury or the troopers come-In inc? Then. tearfully. prayerfully. in this tmost need. she raised her eyes to the ky. Its not for me" she faltered. It's for Marylyn." ' That upward glance was not in vain. n front of her. lifting their plumeIike DDS against the heavens. she saw the lump of burial trees. Instantly she 'ok heart. for her quick brain de ised a pIan-to hide in the cotton -OOds!
 But all three might not stay. for owever much the Sioux avoided the den boughs they would stop to search lem if there were not those ahead to raw them past And one of those head must be a woman. So she decided Bending tO her sis T. she lifted her to sitting position. Honey she said firmly. you see the g trees theres The Indians are raid of 'em. remember. They'H % r. We'll put you up on a limb. and [ ,a keep quiet YOuu be safe Wen on for helD-
 ''Yes. yes. Dallas. only I can't walk