The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-12-29
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

Now that the confidence of Pepeeta
had been secured, David's part In this
drama became comparatively easy. He
listened to the brief conversation In
which by a we'll constructed chain of
fictitious reasonings the judge riveted
upon the too eager mind of the child
wife the conclusion that she was free.
When this arch villain had concluded
his arguments every suspicion had
vanished from her SOUL and as he rose
to depart she took him by the hand
and bade him kindly and almost af
fectionate farewell. DO not aff1ict
yourself with this painful memory
she said gently. -
"I shall not need 6 affiict myself"
he replied: my memory will afflict
me, for I am as guilty as II the result
had been what had expected; and II
In the coming year you find moment
now and then in which you can lift up
q prayer for a man who has forfeited
his claim to mercy, beg you to de-
vote 1t to him who from the depths of
his heart wished you Joy. Goodbye.
With many assurances Of her par
don, Pepeeta followed him to the door
and bade him farewell. When she re-
turned to David her face was lumin-
GUS with happiness, and although he
had begun already to experience a re-
action and to suffer remorse for his
successful infamy. 1t was only like
drop of poison in the ocean of his JOY.
Did 1 not tell you that all would
be well?". she cried, approaching him
and extending both her hands. But
how sudden and how strange 1t Is. 1t
is too good to be true. l cannot real
ize that I am free l am like little
bird that hops about its cage, peeps
through the door which its mistress
hand has opened, and knows not what
to think. It wishes to go; but 1t Is
frightened. What shall 1t do, David!
Tell it! Shall 1t fly?"
'T also am too bewildered to act and
almost too bewildered to think, ne
said with unaffected excitement and
anxiety, for now that the time and op-
portunity for him to take so momen-
tous a step had come, his heart failed
him. 1t was only with the most vio-
| lent effort and under most pressing
necessity that he pulled himself to-
gether and continued:
| "The little bird must fly, and Its
mate must fly with It, There are too
few hours before daylight and we
must not lose a single one. But are
you sure that you are quite ready? Is
your mind made up? VIII you go with
me trustfully? VIII you accept what
ever the future has in store?"
| She took his in her strong arms,
printed her first kiss upon his lips,
and said: Il will go with you to the
ends of the earth l will go with you
through water and through fire! The
future cannot bring me anything from
which l shall shrink, II 1t let's us meet
It hand in hand!"
Silently and swiftly they gathered
| together the few necessities Of q sud
den Journey stole out of the quiet
building and hurried away to livery
stable. In a few moments they were
rafting down the rough cobble- stone
pavement to the river. The ferryman,
who had been retained for this very
purpose, pretended to be asleep. They
aroused him, drove onto the platform
of his primitive craft and foated out
upon the stream. AS the boat swung
clear of the shore they heard music
Issuing from the cabin windows of a
steamer under whose stern they were
passing 1t was the Mary Ann" They
listened. The music ceased for a mo-
ment and deep voice called out
"B-b bravo! Another song!"
They recognized 1t instantly, and
Pepeeta pressed close to the side OF
her lover.
You hear 1t for the last time" he
whispered.
Il The swift current seized the boat
twisting it hither and thither till II
seemed to the now trembling fugitive
q symbol of the stream of tendencies
upon which he had launched the frail
bark containing their united lives.
II wonder II l am strong enough to
stem 1t 2" he asked himself. as the boat
grated on the beach.
Can we find a minister who will
marry us at this time of night?" Da
vid said to the ferryman although he
! had been careful to ask this question
before.
Two blocks south and three east
second door on the right hand side
he answered laconically. as he receiv-
} ed the fare.
Such Adventures passed OTTER
through his hands and their ways were
nothing new. The fugitives drove hur.
riedly to the designated house, knocked
ut the door. were admitted and in g
few minutes the final act which sealed
>heir fate had been performed