The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-07-25
STRONG AND STEADY
BY noRAT1o AleER JR
BY noRATlo ALeER. JR.

w dlIcE. I1S, LOO, was 0lScPys duu WOuAO
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. Il will find
some out-of-the-way place, and try to
sleep little"
Searching about he found such 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 mile distant from
each other were enjoying welcome re-
pose.
Some hours passed away. The sun
rose, and it's 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.
II must have been" sleeping several
hours" he said to himself, for it is
now morning. I wonder if the man who
was after me has gone home?
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, if
for no other reason, because he felt hun
CRY and was likely to remain so as long
as be continued in the forest. He now
felt fresh and strong, and prepared to
start on his journey. But he had scarce
ly taken a dozen steps when 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.
I 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
since. That made me uneasy, and came
out to look for him."
II have seen him." said Walter.
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-
ment.
did he see you?"
mo, l was hidden"
.How long did he stay?"
"Only few minutes. to get rested, I
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 I 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 can"
said Walter. Can you tell me the short
est way out of the woodsw
go in that direction" said the wom-
an, pointing, land half a mile will bring
you out"
1T is rather hard to follow a straight
path in the woods. If you will act as my
guide, will give you a dollar"
IF my husband should find out that I
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 keep
his eyes open, and make his escape in
stantly if he should see any signs of
treachery. 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 lesson of distrust.
CHAPTER XXI.
Walter followed Meg through the
woods. He felt sure that he would not
have far to 60 to reach the open fields.
He had been delayed heretofore, not by
the distance, but by not knowing in what
direction to go.
rev WOIuS WERE bpOkcu DcIWecu ulm
and Meg. Remembering what had hap
pened at the cabin, and that even now
he was fleeing from her husband, he did
not feel inclined to be sociable, and her
thoughts were divided between the money
she was to be paid as the price for her
services, and her husband, for whose pro-
longed absence she could not account.
After walking for fifteen minutes, they
came to the edge of the forest. Skirting
it was a meadow. wet in parts, for the
surface was low.
where il the road? ~
you'll have to cross this meadow. and
you'll come OF it. 1t isn't MORN quarter
Of a mile. You'll find your way well
enough without me-"
Walter felt relieved ut the prospect Of
q speedy return to the region Of ciyiliza-
ton. 1t seemed to him as IL he had
passed the previous night for away in
some wild frontier cabin. instead Of in the
center of populous and thriving neigh
hood. within few miles Of several four
fishing villages. He drew out dollar bill
and offered 1t to Meg.
This Is the money I agreed to pay
Won" he said. Thank Won. beSides"