The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-12-18
STRONG AND STEADY
~ soRAno AlGrR. JR
" H0RATl0 ALeER. JR.


gladly have lain down and slept il 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.
ing" he said to himself. II will find
some out-of-the-way place, and try to
| sleep a little"
Searching about he found such q 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-
pess.
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 c~orpetbag, which he had used
az . 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. / wonder IL 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 ret
into the region Of civilization again, II
for no other reason, because he felt hun
Cry and was likely to remain 70 a. long
IA he continued in the forest. He now
felt fresh and strong, and prepared to
start On his journey. But he had scarce
" taken a dozen steps when q 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.
I don't want to harm YOU"
IL your husband with your" asked
Walter. IN his guard.
"No. he isn't. He started out after
yeu before midnight, and hasn't been back
since. That made me uneasy, and I came
out to look for him."
II have seen him. said Waiter.
Where and when?" asked the woman,
eagerly
It 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, / was hidden"
"How long did he stay7"
"Only a few minutes, to get rested, l.
uvSnrrun THAN hn ~pcrk A~
SIN what direction"
'.That way"
"Tm glad he did not harm you. He
was SO angry when he started that I WA
afraid of what would happen If he met
you. You must keep out Of his way"
THAT Is what l mean to do II I cam
said Walter. Can you tell me the short
est way out Of the woods?"
go in that direction" said the WON
IN, pointing, land half a mile will bring
you out"
1T Is rather hard to follow a straight
path In the woods. II you will act as my
guide, I will give you a dollar"
"If my husband should find out that 1
helped you to escape, he would be very
angry"
"Why need he know7 You needn't tell
him you met mo-"
The woman hesitated. Finally love Of
money prevailed.
I'm 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
t~reachery. Possibly Meg might intend to
lead him into q trap, and deliver him up
to her husband. He was naturally trust
full, but his adventures in the cabin
taught him a lesson Of distrust.
CHAPTER XXI.
Walter followed Meg through the
woods. He felt sure that be 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.
Few words were spoken between him
and Meg. Remembering what had hap
pened at the cabin, and that even now
he wal 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 In the road ?"
you'll have to cross this meadow. and
you'll come OF it. 1t isn't morn quarter
OF q mile. You'll find your way well
enough without me-"
Walter felt relieved at the prospect Of
a speedy return to the region of ~civiliza-
tion. 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 a populous and thriving neigh
hood, within q few miles of several -four
ishing villages. He drew out a dollar bill
and offered 1t to Meg.
This Is the money l agreed to pay
you," he said. Thank you, besides"
II hear my husbands steps" she said,
harriedly. Fly or it will be the worse
for you."
''Thtnk you for the caution" said WAL
ter. rouain1 Ia the necessity for ;mmsd.