Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-12-18
BY neRAT,o ALeER. JR.


ramp more disagreeable. His hopes OF
overtaking Walter became fainter and
fainter, and nature began to assert her
rights. A drowsiness which he found it
hard to combat assailed him, and he
knew he must yield to it for a time at
least.
Il wish I was at home, and In bed"
he muttered. "I'll lie down and take a
short nap, and then start again"
He threw himself on the ground. and
in five minutes his senses were locked in
deep slumber, which, instead of short
nap, continued for several hours.
While he is sleeping we will go back to
Walter. He, too, was sleepy, and would
gladly have lain down and slept if he
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
snail-like pace.
II can't stand this watching till morn
ing" he said to himself. 81 will find
some out-of-the-way place, and try to
sleep a little"
Searching about he found such a place
as 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 a pillow, and looked around him In
surprise but recollection quickly came to
his aid.
Il must have been sleeping several
hours" he said to himself for it is
now morning. l wonder If the man who
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, II
for no other reason, because he felt hun
cry and was likely to remain so as long
as he continued In the forest. He now
felt fresh and strong, and prepared to
start on his journey. But be had scarce
ly taken dozen steps when a female
figure stepped out from a 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.
l don't want to harm you"
as 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
ainCa That mazda ma
out to look for him"
IT have seen him." said Walter.
where and when?" asked the woman
eagerly.
1t was strange that such a 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.
"Did he see your"
mo, I was hidden"
"How long did he stayr"
only few minutes, to get rested. 1
suppose. Then he went on"
I'm what direction?"
THAT way"
"I'm glad he did not harm you. He
was so angry when he started that was
afraid of what would happen II he met
you. You must keep out of his way"
THAT is what l mean to do IL l cam
said Walter. Can you tell me the short
est way out of the woods7"
go In that direction" said the wom-
an. pointing. ''and half mile will bring
you out"
1T Is rather hard to follow a straight
path in the woods If you will act Us my
guide, l will give you a dollar"
IF my husband should find out that !
helped you to escape, he would be very
angry"
"Why need he know You needn't tell
him you met me-"
The woman hesitated. Finally love OF
money prevailed.
"I'll 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 keer
his eyes open. aud make his escape In.
stantly IL he should see any signs OF
treachery. Possibly Meg might intend tc
lead him into trap, and deliver him ur
to her husband. He was naturally trust
full, but his adventures In the cabin
taught him lesson of distrust.
CHAPTER XXI.
Walter followed Meg through ths
woods He felt aure that he would M,