Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-09-11
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5 STRONG AND STEADY 5
BY HORATlO ALGER JR
E]

BY H0RATlO ALGER. JR.

tramp 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 time at
least
Il wish l 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 a 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.
Il can't stand this watching till morn
ing" he said to himself II will find
some out-of-the-way place, and try to
sleep little"
Searching about he found such a place
as he desired. lie lay down, end 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 its rays lighted up the dim re-
cesses of the forest. When Walter open
ed his eyes he could not ,at first remem-
ber 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 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 he continued in the forest. He now
felt fresh and strong, and prepared to
start on his journey. But he had scarce
ly taken 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"
"Is 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 l 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-
band, in spite of his frequent bad treat
ment.
'Did he see you?"
"No, | was hidden"
"How long did he stay"
only Va few minutes, to get rested,
suppose. Then he went on"
"In what direction?"
THAT way
"I'm glad he did not harm you. He
was so angry when he started that 1 was
afraid of what would happen if he met
you. You must keep out of his way"
THAT is what | mean to do if can
said Walter. Can you tell me the short
est way out of the .woodsY'
$50 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"
"If my husband should find out that
helped you to escape, he would be very
angry"
"Why need he know? You needn't tel
him you met me-"
The woman hesitated. Finally love O.
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 tn,
night before, he was not wholly assured
of her good faith, and resolved to keel
his eyes open, and make his escape in
stantly if he should see any signs o
treachery. Possibly Meg might intend t,
lead him into trap, and deliver him III
to her husband. He was naturally trust
full, but his adventures in the cabil
L
CHAPTER XIII.
Walter followed Meg through tn
woods. He felt sure that he would no
haye far to go to reach the open fields