Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02

| Two or three bullets whistled past the
fugitives. but they paid no attention to
any such trifles. What frightened Meggs
| far more was the faint thud Of hoofs be-
| hind his back. that did not die down but
gained in volume. until he knew that the
pursuers must be dangerously near.
Keep straight on" he told Beatriz alb
ruptly. and stopped short himself.
| She knew that 1t would only hamper
| him if she should lag. and went on most
unwillingly, but with fresh energy. for if
she were out Of the way. there would be
hope for him. She heard the crack of his
revolver and loud cries.
moment later she fell headlong into
the arms of a gray shadow travelling out
| following behind.
and she replied, "Phil! He's back there.
| Oh! quicker you will be too late.''
Neither had any thought of self while
the man to whom both owed SO much
was still in danger. But Corbyn was too
late. and that although he lost no single
| instant. And there was fierce skirmish
| in the dark between his handful and the
hurried achievements which had made
| the pickets post impregnable against
| him. But for the darkness he had even
been cut OF from his own base, and. as 1t
was, he had to fight hard to regain the
stairfoot. There he found safety In the
end, but as he carried up the steep stone
| steps the slim boy whose recovery had
cost them such a comrade. his gray eyes
| were bedimmed, and he held Beatriz very
closely to him, for she was doubly dear
| now.
Fiji was waiting at the top. She took
the inanimate figure from his arms and
carried it away. Allardyce and O'Dare
spent the remainder Of the night in prov
| ing to each other and to Corbyn that
when fate. steps in human effort is of no
| avail.
Its just the narrowness that pinches."
Corbyn concluded. sorrOwfully. as day
broke. LESS than a hundred yards we
lost him by, l reckon. 1 wish that he had
| let me go instead Of him."
| A clear. cold dawn showed that the
| plain beneath was empty save for the
| customary outposts. The scant light
strengthened. and the sun changed their
gray prison walls to gold. Spirals of
| smoke rose slowly from the ridge. and
the world woke about them without dis
| cord.
| 1t seemed that they were not to be
molested yet awhile. and since the hour
| for a daylight attack was safely past
they tried to snatch some sleep. But
none came to their aching eyes.
When Beatriz came forth, in her own
guise again. she found the three seated
/ together III tIc kAIUcu, Sl8TIlS dCIOoS ot
the. far camp. They rose at the sound
OF her approaching footsteps, and faint
| flush suffused her sweet face; she nestled
close to Corbyn. as he came forward,
took her hand and put an arm protecting
| ly about her.
| 1t was no time for tender speeches. but
he said sweetheart" very softly
Sweetheart. forgive me-"
1T has all been my fault. Phil" she
answered. her tone tremulous as she
| 1oN xod Inf hic ho0
He stood there for q moment, gazing into
her true eyes, the recollection OF his old
doubt and distrust a shame within him.
And Allardyce. he who had been dis
fell slave at that instant to the spell of
her compelling loneliness, as had ODare
| in the beginning.
Corbyn beckoned him forward and held
took 1t reverently. and. STOPPING. raised
| 1t to his lips. No words could have ex-
| pressed more fully his pledge Of faithful
service. Beatriz blushed again. and Cor
byn smiled at the impressive Englishman's
Then ODare stepped up and shook
hands with her.
you're safe at last said he. his voice
| full of grave pleasure. 'Fih and I have
been heartbroken for you
Corbyn took her across to the STAIR
head, where the men had their quarters,
and at sight of her they raised cheer
which rang back from the distant rock
| face. Her beauty was a revelation to
them. and they found it cause far more
than sufficient for Corbyn's expedition.
None among them but felt thankful then
that they had, followed him so far. no
man but was confirmed in his purpose
by the thought of her helpiessness.
| And the thought Of all that they had
already braved to help her. of their un-
| complaining devotion to their brave
leader. her gallant lover. thrilled her un-
speakably. She thanked them for their
| warm welcome in broken words. and then
Corbyn led her back to the garden paths.