The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-03-11
CHAPTER XII.

broke. What was it-gas. altltude"F'
Mere likely old Pelee was up to some
thing be preferred you shouldn't see.s
said Breen. Il know the racket turned
me sick as a poisoned rat while l was
dragging at you leg. l know that the
natives wouldn't venture within two hun
dred yards; also, that you are a mortal
heavy young person"
And so you retrieved the fallen under
the gums of the enemyG That was good
of you, Breen- 1t was. indeed"
The natives were pressing In. Darkness
was beginning. Breen was conscious Of
a catch in bis throat.
Peter" said Breen quietly, Il ran
from you this morning"
you didn't run from me this after
ncon, the which Is lucky for me. Take a
little touch yourself. old playmate, and
don't get moody. One needs a pal when
enc makes such a mussy dumping-ground
of good chances. The engaging Mr.. Stem
bridge never did me any harm. and all
that the newspaper could accomplish in
the minds OF people at large would move
me TO no. deeper emotion than TO say,
Dear folks be-hanged p"
Peter. if | hadn't been here, you
would be a good daylight run out on the
decent ocean By this time. with the lady +
Please don't goad yourself further,
Breen- That matter is mine-all mine"
Constable spoke in q low voice. Breen
was bending over him in the dusk. You
didn't force yourself upon me- You didn't
even eome along by chance l asked you
TO cruise with me. You volunteered to
all - 49, - III - -mm-~fe
necessary. This man has q mind, and
he isn't a coward was the conclusion |
came to that night. and l haven't seen
Ht to change my opinion"
But the lady"
YES. the lady has spoken. l am done
down and out. The point is,
you didn't turn on Pelee's throttle. You're
mot to blame because I'm a dub of a
lover. I'm not on sick report"
You're game. Peter" said Breen as
he helped the other into the saddle
Not gains enough to abduct one fright
ened little mother-handled girl" Consta-
BILE replied.
They were riding together down the
winding trail. apart from the guides The
lights Of Ajoupa B0ullion were ahead,
and the mountain carried on a frightful
drumming behind The coiling masses Of
volcanic spume, miles above the craters.
generated its own FIRE. and. lit in the
flashes. looked like pillows of boiling steel
Constable was very weak, and Breen rode
upon sheer nerve-nerye that men had
often wondered at.
~Peter,' be said at length, "you are
not through trying to get the lady out Of
TO think that such a tone and such
q question could come from the 'implaca-
Bile Stembridge'r r Constable said, with a
The 'impiacabie Stembridge' was never
crucifed before Breen answered ITO
you and me. together. 1t does not vastly
that I am Stembridge. one of the
wolves But others have come In.
Because am here, you stand dazed to-
ulght. your heart torn out. Because 1
ann here, you went up to the mouth Of
that horrible pit to-day, and lay down to
he / have played with men and women.
but l never wrecked a white man
before. or broke the heart Of a friend" t
A HAND stretched across the dark and I
upon Breen's arm and tighteued {
Il know how you feel; but what |
gould you have me doT" Constable NUT I
cred. =
when I see a wisp of smoke on the :
and know that you and the lady
md the Madame are wrapped in it :
For four days / have been dreaming :
dream, Breen." Q
ut must come true this night. There e
viii have been a reaction. Go there to-
light. Speak to her alone. Tell her how :
came to know mellow men look at
hese things-that the newspaper story q
7as as new to you as to herself. Tell
er of your trip to Pelee. and how the :
fsorder they see and hear down in the =
lily looks up there at first hand p .
1t was at this instant that a fuIErigged
sprang into Breen's brain, which
known but the passing Of hopeless q
e~relicts throughout the day. He dared
OF trust the thought to words, lest the :
should cancel il, but be called to !
be guides to increase the pace. 3
"Ah, she would not listen to words of y,
Constable answered hoDeIessIy. eff :.
he had any faith 10 me, words would not =
. necessary. A man knows when be Is u
A%%A . AA@WA AJ nLSAS lQAcllS 81
" one day. To-morrow-" %
There may not be any tomorrow for a
amt Pierre
"Of course. For that matter, we might =
boiled out like a pair Of tater-bugs :.
we can pick up a snack in Ajoupa y
Then, again, the people may :.
right, and / a frenzied alarmist. Pc -
G Ia throwing of pressure true and =
eady as q clock running down. II may i
that he'll relieve bis crowded cham y
IRIS this way" y
Such words, more than anything that ~
ID passed. revealed the extent Of Con-
able's reaction. They were entering
joupa Boullion, where food and fresh in
cunts were procurable. as
aIt's probably better for her that she A
O not give herself to me- Constable wi
when they we're In the saddle
ain. His mind was deepening the bitter
oove row.. "We'lI put all this behind "a,
presently, Breen. We're mates,
ess."
This Is our last ride together. Peter.
lere are many reasons. One is-the arl
" Is on my TRAIL . VIII you Ia,
lase inform me what YOU ars laughing ser