The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-01-30
pl.ying. mss wharton. Mems live. .nd

piaying, Miss Wharton. Mems lives ana
fortunes hang upon slender threads, and
nothing must be left to accident that can
be guarded against. Did Sir Henry Clin-
ton know that the peddler had communion
with me, and under such circumstances,
the life of the miserable man would be
taken instantly; therefore as you value
human blood, or remember the rescue Of
your brother, be prudent and be silent.
Communicate what you know to them
both, and urge them to instant departure.
If they can reach the last pickets of our
army before morning, it shall be my care
that there are none to intercept them.
There is better work for Major Dunwoo-
die than to be exposing the life of his
friend"
While Harper was speaking he careful.
ly rolled up the map he had been studying
and placed 1t, together with sundry papers
that were also open, into his pocket. He
was still occupied in this manner when
the voice of the peddler was heard di-
rectly over their heads.
Stand further this way, Captain
Wharton, and you can see the tents in the
! moonshine. But LET them mount and
ride; have a nest here that will hold
US both, and we will go in at our leisure"
Harper pressed his finger on his lip to
remind Frances of her promise, and, TAX
Ing his pistols and hat, retired deliberately
to far corner of the hut, where, lifting
several articles of dress, he entered a
recess in the rock and letting them fall
again, was hid from view. a
II a H.
on entering and finding Frances in pos
session of the hut, may be easily imag-
ined. Without waiting for explanations
or questions, the warm-hearted girl few
into the arms of her brother and gave
vent to her emotions in tears. But the
peddler seemed struck with very different
feelings. His first look was at the fire;
he then drew open a small drawer of the
table, and looked little alarmed at find
ing it empty.
"Are you alone, Miss Fanny?" he ask.
ed, in quick voice.
'As you see, Mr.. Birch" said Frances,
turning an expressive glance toward the
secret cavern. ....e-s.s
But why and wherefore are you here"
exclaimed her astonished brother; land
HOW hueW you OI tuis pldCt dl
Frances entered at once into brief de-
tail of what had occurred at the house
since their departure, and the motives
which induced her to seek them.
The pedder, watching his opportunity,
unseen by Henry, slipped behind the
screen and entered the cavern. IA.
Frances and her brother, who thought
his companion had passed through the
door, continued conversing on the latter's
situation for several minutes, when the
former urged the necessity of expedition
on his part, in order to precede Dun
woodie, from whose sense of duty they
knew they had no escape. The captain
took out his pocketbook and wrote few
lines with. his pencil; then folding the
paper, he handed it to his sister.
Frances, = ~ he \ said, ''you have this
night proved youfsef to be an incompar-
able woman. As you love me, give that
unopened to sDnnwoodie, and remember
that two hours may save my life."
II will--I will; but why delay? Why
not fly, and improve these precious mo
ments?" - stc>as ea
"Your sister says well, Captain Whar-
ton" exclaimed Harvey, who had re-en-
tered unseen; I'VE must 60 at once. Here
Is food to eat, as we travel"
But who is TO see this fair creature to
safety?" cried the captain. II can never
desert my sister in such place as this"
Leave me /! leave 1ne I" said Frances;
II can descend as / came up. Do not
doubt me: you know not my courage nor
my strength"
Captain Wharton" said Birch, throw
ing open the door, You can trifle with
your own lives, if you have many to
spare. have but one, and must nurse it.
Do go alone, or not?" ~
"Go, go, dear Henry" said Frances, en-
bracing him; ..go; remember our father;
remember Sarah" She waited not for
his answer, but gently forced him through
the door and closed it with her own hands.
Immediately after the noise of their de-
parture had ceased, Harper reappeared.
He took the arm of Frances in silence,
and led her from the hut. The way SEEM
ed familiar to him for ascending to the
ledge above them, he led his companion
across the table land tenderly, pointing
out the little difficulties in their route,
and cautioning her against injury.
Harper finally turned, and, taking the
hand of Frances, spoke as follows:
You have this night saved your broth.
er, Miss Wharton. 1t would not be pro-
per for me to explain why there are
limits to my ability to serve him; but II
you can detain the horse for two hours, he
Is assuredly safe. After what you have
already done, can believe you equal to
any duty. God has denied to me children.
young lady but If it had been his blessed
will that my marriage should not have
been childless such a treasure as yourself
would have asked from his mercy. But
you are my child; all who dwell in this
broad land are my children, and my care,
and take the blessing of one who hopes
yet to meet you in happier days"