Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-12-17


quent journeys between the two places,
and instead of returning home, had come
hther, with Hope helpless burden
across the saddle.
The truth, the fortune of this climax
burst over the mans soul with ardor Not
only had he escaped his enemies, but he
had found Claire
Instantly weakness. his injuries, his
confusion, were forgotten, obliterated. To
that glorious face marvelingly looking
down at him he raised his glance. full of
fervor and love.
"Claire-Miss Tremane :" he breathed,
and slipped from the saddle AS he did
so, unheeded the satchel of dynamite
dropped from his shoulder to his feet
But Hope noticed it not. for the moment
absorbed in contemplation of the begin
ming and the end of all the present mo-
tiveS of his life.
at is you! 1t is you" slowly, dubi
ously murmured Claire. an eager light in
her beautiful eyes, her pale face working
with intense emotion.
And you--a prisoner :" cried Hope,
rouSing up.
YES, for long time Since the night
| was taken away to marry the man you
bade me obey"
Who is in this house now?'
Il. alone" explained Claire. "A wom-
an has been in charge. but she went away
last evening, leaving me securely locked
in. She will soon return"
why did you not try to escape
began Hope.
Because they have led me to believe
you desired that | remain here"
Wait :"
Gideon Hope flashed from the spot.
Soon he was at the front door. With
a great billet of wood he dashed it from
place Up a stairway he made advance.
and before his irresistible assaults door
after door gave way.
Pale excited. apprehensive, the fair
captive was brought out into the garden
Listen" spoke Hope. all thought and
action; You are trembling, weak, ex
cited. There is much to do, and no time
for immediate explanations. Let me lift
you to the saddle Ride to the nearest
town, and await my coming
But you?" faltered Claire, and there
was no mistakmg the tender light that
shone from her anxious eyes upon the
man she had learned to obey so implicitly
and love so devotedly.
II will remain here for a time. I have
to do" answered Hope seri
ously.
There was the dynamite to dispose of.
And then, too. he had resolved to con-
front Claire's jaier when she returned
and force from her lips a confession that
would enable him to intelligently proceed
about a raid upon the inmates of that
other isolated house which harbored the
Kanes and their infa nous associates.
II will do as you say" assented Claire
and moved toward the grazing horse.
"But-wait." interrupted Hope again.
He had brought her from the house with
out any head covering or wraps. Now
he explained and left her side momentar-
lily.
He was not gone two minutes, and re-
turning with the articles he had gone for,
he cleared the staircase four steps at
time, as shrek from the outside warned
him of some peril or alarm on the part
of Claire.
When he came around to the side of the
house the horse had stampeded into an
adjoining field. Upon the green sward
where Hope had left her was Claire, in a
dead faint.
No other person was in view What
had happened? Quickly Hope lifted her
head in his arms. and murmured his anx-
iety and solicitude into her white, pulse
less face.
Thus several minutes went by, until at
length her eyes opened. She shrieked
"Where is he?" she cried, with fright
ened start.
"WhomY" inquired Hope quickly.
'"That man.
you mean: -"
Kane"
"He was here" exclaimed Hope. in
absolute amazement.
"Yes :" she painted, looking about her,
all in a tremble.
"When?"
"While you were gone" She clung to
him hysterically. "Oh, Mr.. Hope" she
cried, protect me from him if he comes
a again-'
"Do not fear for that. assured Hope.
You are certain it was Kane?"
Flutteringly Claire related singular
story. Hope had no sooner gone into the
house than Kane had appeared. Wild
faced, his garments disordered, broken
chain dangling from one wrist, he had
burst upon her appalled, view.
lie had sprung to her side, seized her
arm. in hurried accents announced that
she must at once accompany him in flight.
1t was his desire-Gideon Hopes COM
mand.
She had struggled. He sought to drag
her from the spot. Something he caught
from her incoherent words, that she dis
believed and disregarded him, that Hope
was even now in the house. that the
horse, the satchel, he had brought hither
Il called for help" narrated Claire |
Suddenly Kane's eyes fared with a
strange, eager light. He sprang toward |
the satchel, saying: This is Hopes? |
Then it contains the money! If you will |
not go with me. at least | have the for
tune Then | tainted away
THE dolt-the victim. That satchel |
Hope was interrupted. A flying horse |
woman came up the road. 1t was Elta. |
You here !" she cried, facing Hope, |
'and you free" she shouted at Claire. |
HAS he been hereF she demanded
bY.IaplT