Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-05-28

bridge whore we are to wait, Rogsrf How
black the canal looks!"
i am afraid we are going to have
rain" he returned, in a vexed voice. "I
do not mind the moon being absent; the
darkness Is In our favor. But what am
to do with you, Allie, If we have a
wet night? You will catch your death of
cold"
Nonsense" replied Alison stoutly. But
nevertheless she felt an inward twinge of
discomfort. Neither of them had thought
OF the weather. How weird and eerie ev-
erythlng looked in the obscure light, the
dark towing path and the sluggish canal,
one tall factories, and beyond them the
aim woodpiles and sheds stretching away
into the distance. The very barge that
came floating toward them out of the
darkness seemed to hold dark. grisly
shapes upon it.
In few minutes Roger was helping
ner to scramble on shore. They were now
at the extreme end of the timber ward.
and had some way to walk.
Long before they had reached their
destination the heavy patter of rain drops
warned them to make haste; but In the
uncertain light, and with so rough a path.
their speed was greatly retarded.
here we are at last" whispered
Roger; follow me closely, Allie" And
she obeyed, holding his coat to give her
courage. A pitchy blackness was round
them Rogers cropping only led them still
turther into the darkness. Alison ex-
perlenced sense of suffocation until a
ray OF murky light showed her where abe
was-at the further entrance of one Of
the wood piles, with the Office windows
within few yards of them.
Alison breathed more freely when she
recognized her position. The interlaced
planks formed an arched chamber, where
tney could move with comfort and be shell
tered from the rain. Roger spread the
plald near the entrance, and bade his ais
ter make herself as comfortable az cir
cumstances permitted, while he went a
little way to reconnoiter.
Il hope I have not brought Won nm
Wild goose chase" he said when be re-
turned Timothy is eating his supper
we shall have to be careful when he goes
with his rounds. Hush What L. that?
as a slight sound was plainly audible
DON'T move, l implore you, Allie" And
Roger cautiously raised himself on his
hands and knees and crept a few paces
nearer to the entrance, but in a moment
ne returned and babe Alison to move
further into the darkness.
1t is Ferguson l heard his voice ("
he whispered. Come a little further
Timothy has his lantern, and he might
turn 1t on us; and now not a word II
you can help it. Are you frightened.
dearT 01i'N'
NO" returned Alison, a little nm
steadily, but at that moment she was COR
fanny wishing herself and Roger safely
at home. Rogers caution was NOT in
vain sudden fare of light penetrated
the entrance of the wood pile; they could
see two men but at the moment the lam
tern was lowered and Timothy's face was
turned to his companion.
"A wet night, MASTER" he said. in q
grumoiing voice. I'm just go on my beat,
ana then back to the shed again."
"All right, Timothy" returned the man
ager' briskly. II must just hunt for the
paper I told you about. Possibly I NAV
De quarter of an hour In the office.
but l will call out to you when I am
ready for you to let me out of the ward"
Az, ay, will let you out, sure enough.
Master Ferguson, IL 30 be as Won strike
upon the little window in the shed" And
the old man moved on slowly.
Don't move, Allie; I'll be back in n
moment" whispered Roger in her ear.
And Alison remained where she was
feeling the dampness all around her an
unpleasant moisture beginning to trickle
down her neck. The rain was pouring
In torrents outside; its very violence
promised short duration. Presently Roger
crept back to her. 4.
1t Is just as said" he began, hur-
riedly. He Is unlocking the safe: he
has q duplicate key was sure Of II
There Is not q moment to lose. 1 dare
not trust Timothy. l must 20 for NV
father. Allie, may I leave you here? You
are perfectly safe-no one would harm
you. But one of us must watch Fergus
son; which shall 1t be2"
"YOu must 60, Roger" she exclaimed.
You will go more quickly, and will know
how to avoid Timothy"
VERY well, keep up your courage, AL.
lie, and do not lose sight of the villain"
he returned. II will bring father back
In no time. Wait where you are until
Timothy has passed again"
Alison's reply was inaudible, but her
mute assent testified obedience. That
moment she was literally beyond speech ;
the horrid darkness seemed to swallow her
up again; nervous oppression made her
heart beat with distressing quickness. 1t
was quite a relief when Timothy passed
again; the familiar figure in the heavy
coat gave her q comfortinR
sense Of human support.
She stole cautiously across the open
path, and In another moment she Was
standing outside the Office window. There
were two windows, for this one was
darkened by the woodpile, but
over the other the blind had been lowered
to shut out prying glances. Alison SUD
posed, as Roger had, that he had locked
himself In to carry on his unhallowed
work. The dark background Of piled-up
Dlanks quite overshadowed the white girl |
Ish face peering in at the uncurtained |
window.
She was frightened at her own daring. |
but she remembered that she was Rogers |
witnaaa Il roo.,nn-..