The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-23
tinusd from last = yea

tho from last wveA
Not a word. Tnever saw my TALLER.
He used q dark lantern and came only
at night. I never heard his voice; he
always whispered. I think he was an
Indian. The night he freed me and
told me to go a gun at my back hur.
ried me, warned me neither to look
around nor speak. / FASTENED along a
steep path that led from the mouth
of the tunnel. Dearest, you can never
know what rapture 1t was to see tho
stars again! / can only guess how far
! went before I fell, striking my head.
When I recovered consciousness /
couldn't stand, but crept on slowly in
the darkness"
Esther stroked his hand softly, but
did not speak.
Il don't know how far, or what hap
pened. T."
And them" she questioned as he
halted.
The hospital at Sacramento. 1
opened my eyes to sanity moro than
three months after the trip to Cid
cons mine."
And you've been in danger since,
many times. haven't your"
"Oh, no; not often. Don't fancy me
charging danger every day, sweet
heart, like a modern Saint George
yet, your business in San Francisco
II know you had enemies. have them
now-company's enemies"
0NNa11 fbof naad tro,hfa tua, 10
more. I'm to have other work To do.
did have one escape there; it might
have been my end. One night a ruff
fan caught me from behind on a dark
street; and some one else Immediately
wrenched him away and whispered in
my ear. Rum ! haven't the slightest
idea who either of them was, though
Eve tried hard to discover the man
who saved me-"
Esther listening, breathless, knew It
must have been Gideon; but she was
mute.
A chill hand on her cheek startled
her. "Out of the blanket against or
ders!" she exclaimed. when did you
eat last? And please keep the blanket
snug" she coaxed.
"This-no. yesterday morning. / re-
ceived a message to come on to the
Front at once, Just after arriving at
Elko from another trip; took the first
train out. which happened to be the
iron train: did telegraphing at Toano
that used up my dinner time, and
you know the rest"
Esther detected growing weakness
in his voice. Il must get you some
supper-breakfast, / guess it will be-"
she said decisively.
He laughed. From were?"
From u larder." she answered
jauntily. Fortunately. 1t is full, and
raw cabbage is digestible."
She pulled open q head, and
shredded some of the crisp center into
the hollow of a large leaf. Now. you
are to be full of faith-'faith is the
substance of things hoped for'-you
must believe this an elegant repast.
Also be sentimental, fancy the touch
Of ~my-suppiy your own adjectives-
the touch of my fingers adds a most
piquant flavor. No; | shall feed you.'
I'll behave II you'll tuck me 4
again." he said with mock humility,
taking the white bits from her fingers.
why. it's good"
Certainly. | intended you to say
that. Don't be In haste. You we're
very hungry. I've dessert. also; this
Is to be q course dinner" She sur
prised him with a box of candy from
one of her bags. Uncle Billy's gift,
and right from Sacramento" she ex-
planned.
She laid the several kinds on differ
ent cabbage leaves. and teased him
tantalizingly as she wisely dallied with
her serving.
This is the third time you've pre-
sided at my early morning table: the
FIRST rs my desert rose. nex as Juliet.
now"
"As Railroad Bridget"
He was taking a lovers way OF
making her retract the lowly name
when a distant CLEAN warned him of
the journeys end. There's Toano!
VIC ~ 10 thCiC III ~ LAAuuttS. i maven
said half / wish. Oh. my darling, I'm
Just the same nameless man! I've
nothing to offer you. viii you wait
still a little longer? Stella. I've no
right to taste of heaven; I've been
cheating you" he finished ruetully.
Il think-I think I'd rather be SO
cheated than have any other mans
honesty" she said. with ne- first
touch Of shyness.
yet you must now know the truth
about me. ought to have told you
before. My father thought me a thief,
turned me adrift, forbade me to use
his name. Until I can prove him In
the wrong I cannot offer you the only
name I'm willing you should have"
'But how could he call you a thief?
He ought to know you simply couldn't
steal. You steai!r Her eyas blazed.
and she liited her head proudly.
Her dear faith warmed him, yet his
voice was sad.
mo. I didn't steal. but / caused
some one else 10 dc It. And my IA
ther had every right to believe me
gailty." His voice dropped: his eyes
were shadowy.
but you nsver meant tol He should
havc known hat" ~ persjste6 "
kemently.