The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-11-03

But it's SO big. could never
move it."
"A child could. Look" He grasped
projecting handle near the bottom OF
the thorny mass. The lower half of
the door swung up and outward. the
upper half In and downward. See,
it's balanced On crossbar in the
middle. Come on in"
She walked after him in under the
now horizontal door. He gave the in
ner end light upward thrust, and the
door swung back in its vertical circle
until 1t again stood upright in the
opening. From the inside the girl
could see the strong framework to
which was dashed the facing of the
thorns. 1t was made of bamboo and
strong pieces of branches, bound to-
gether with tough creepers.
Pretty good grating, eh?" remarked
Blake. When those green creepers
dry, they'll shrink and hold tight as
iron clamps. Even now nothing short
of a rhinoceros could walk through
when the bars are fast. See here"
He stepped up to the novel door
and slid several socketed crossbars
until their outer ends were deep in the
holes in the tree trunk, three on each
side.
"How's that for a set of bolts ?" he
demanded.
Wonderful! Really, you are very,
very clever! But why should you go
to all this trouble, when the barri-
cade-" ~
We'll, you see. It's best to be on the
safe side" -.
But it's absurd for you to 60 to all
this needless work. Not that do not
appreciate your kind thought for my
safety. Yet look at your hands,"
Blake fastened to put his bleeding
hands behind him.
Go and wash them at once, and I'll
put on a dressing"
NO. thank you. Miss Jenny. You
needn't bother. They'll do all right"
You must! It would please me-"
why. then. of course But first,
I want to make sure you understand
fastening the door. Try the bars your
SELF"
She obeyed, sliding the bars in and
out until he nodded his satisfaction.
Good" he said. Now promise me
you'll slide 'em fast every night"
If you ask It. But why?"
Il want to make you perfectly safe"
Safe? But am not secure with"
Look here, Miss Leslie; I'm not 60
ing to say anything about anybody"
Perhaps you had better say no
more. Mr.. Blake"
That's right. But whatever hap
pens. youth believe I've done my best.
won't you?-even il I'm not a Prom
Use me straight, you'll lock up tight
every night"
Very well, promise" responded
the girl. not little troubled by the
of his expression.
That night Miss Leslie dutifully
fastened herself in with all six bars.
She wakened at dawn, and fastened
out to prepare Blake's breakfast, but
she found herself too late. There
were evidences that he had eaten and
gone OF before dawn. Tie stretching
frame Of one Of the antelope skins
had been moved around by the fire.
and on the smooth inner surface of
the hide was a laconic note, written
with charcoal in a firm. bold hand:
Exploring inland. Back by night,
II can"
She bit her lip in her disappoint-
ment. for she had planned to show him
how much she appreciated his absurd
but wellmeant concern for her safety. |
As it was, he had gone OF without a |
word and left her to the questionable |
pleasure of a tete-a-tete with Win
thrope. Hoping to avoid this. she hur-
lied her preparations for day on the |
cli6. But before she could get on.
sauntered up, hiding his