Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-12-18
BY EORATlO ALGER. JR

had dared. But he felt the peril Of his
position too sensibly to give way to his
feelings. He watched vigilantly for an
hour, but nothing could be seen of jack.
That hour seemed to him to creep with
snaillike pace.
Il can't stand this watching till morn
ing" he said to himself. IL will find
some out-of-the-way place. and try to
sleep a little"
Searching about he found such place
sas he desired. He lay down, and was
soon fast asleep. So pursuer and pur-
sued had yielded to the spell of the same
enchantress, and half a mile distant from
each other were enjoying welcome re-
pose.
Some hours passed away. The sun
rose, and its rays lighted up the dim re-
cesses Of the forest. When Walter open
ed his eyes he could not at first remem-
Der where he was. He lifted his head
from his corpetbag, which he had used
as pillow, and looked around him in
scrprise but recollection quickly came to
his sid.
II must have been sleeping several
hours" he said to himself, "for, it IL
was after me has gone homer"
He decided that this was probable, and
resolved to make an attempt to reach the
edge Of the forest. He wanted to get
into the region Of civilization again, IL
for no other reason, because he felt hun
cry and was likely to remain 20 a. long
as he continued In the forest. He now
felt fresh and strong, and prepared to
start on his journey. But he had scarce
~ taken a dozen steps when a female
figure stepped out from covert, and
he found himself face to face with Meg.
Not knowing but that her husband
might be close behind, he started back In
alarm and hesitation. She observed this,
and said, You needn't be afraid, boy.
don't want to harm you"
lis your husband with your" asked
Walter, on his guard.
mo, he Isn't. He started out after
you before midnight, and hasn't been back
since. That made me uneasy, and came
out to look for him"
II have seen him." said Waiter.
Where and when?" asked the woman,
eagerly.
1t was strange that such coarse brute
should have inspired any woman with
love, but Meg did certainly love her hus-
band, in spite Of his frequent bad treat
ment.
ibid he see your
mo, / was hidden"
"HOw long did he stay?"
Only few minutes, to get rested,
suppose. Then he went on"
in what direction2"
''That way"
"I'm glad he did not harm you. He
was so angry when he started that was
afraid Of what would happen If he met
you. You must keep out of his way"
THAT is what l mean to do if l cam"
said Walter. Can you tell me the short
est way out Of the woods7"
go in that direction" said the WON
an, pointing, "and half mile will bring
you out"
1T is rather hard to follow straight
path In the woods. If you will act as my
guide. will give you dollar"
IT my husband should find out that
helped you to escape, he would be very
angry"
why need he know1 You needn't tell
him you met me-"
The woman hesitated. Finally love Of
money prevailed.
I'm do it," she said, abruptly. "Fol-
low me-"
She took the lead, and Walter follow
ed closely in her steps. Remembering the
night before, he was not wholly assured
of her good faith, and resolved to keep
his eyes open, and make his escape in
stantly If he should see any signs of
treaehery. Possibly Meg might intend to
lead him into, trap, and deliver him up
to her husband, He was naturally trust
full, but his adventures in the cabin
taught him a lesson of distrust.