The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-04-09
cHAPT ER n.
Old ellis Girl.

Old StlitS 6iFi.
Guided by the unerring instinct Of
an old Indian fighter, Gillis, daring
that first mad retreat, had discovered
temporary shelter behind one OF the
largest powders. II was trifie In
advance Of those later rolled into posi-
ton by the soldiers. but was of size
and shape which should have afforded
ample protection for two, and doubt
less would have done so had 1t not
been for the firing from the cliff OPP
posite. Even then 1t was detected
bullet, CHANGING 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 fell. 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,
grave. pathetic figure. her face sobered
and careworn beyond her years, her
eyes dry and staring. one brown hand
grasping unconsciously the old mans
useless rife. She would scarcely have
been esteemed attractive even under
much happier circumstances and as
sisted by dress, yet 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 society
bell, but likely to prove valuable out
here"
She was rather a slender slip OF q
thing, q trifie 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
sessed a reddish copper tinge where
it was touched by the sun. Mr.. Hamp-
toms survey did not increase his de-
sire for more intimate acquaintance
doubted claim upon him.
Suppose | might just as well drop
out that way as any other" he reflect
cd. thoughtfuiiy. Its all in the game"
Lying fiat upon his stomach, both
arms extended. he slowly forced him
self beyond his bowider into the open.
There was no great distance to be
traversed. and 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
or stone which enabled him to drag
his body an inch farther. Twice they
fired directly down at him from the
opposite summit. and once f1eck OF
sharp rock, Clipped by 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 implorins face of her dead. AS he
crept silently in. sheltering himself
next to the body of the dead man, she
perceived his presence for the first
time, and shrank back as II in dread
What are you doing? Why-why
did you come here?' she questioned, a
falter in her voice; and he noticed that
her eyes were dark and large, yielding
a marked impress Of beauty to her
face.
Il was unwilling to leave you here
alone" he answered, quietly. land hope
d TO discover some means for getting
you safely back beside the Others"
But I didn't want you" and there
was look of positive dislike in her
widely opened eyes.
Didn't wantsme?' He echoed these
unexpected words in a tone of com.
plete surprise. Surely you could not
desire to be left here alone? Why
didn't you vaEs meg"
Because know who you are!" Her
voice seemed to catch In her throat.
HE tjd me. You're the man who
shot Jim Eberly.'
Mr.. Hampton was never OF pro-
nounced emotional nature. nor was he
4 person easily disconnected, yet he
flushed at the sound OF these impul-
,sive words. and the confident smile de-
irerted his lips. For moment they
sat thus. the dead body lying between.
and looked at each other. When the
man finally broke the constrained ST.
lence deeper information had crept
into his voice.
my 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
house. although l might plead with
some justice that Hberly enjoyed the
honor Of slkooting frst. ] WAs not