The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-24
(COntinued.)

whispered.
They could hear the cracking of
brush under the feet of those who
were approaching. Suddenly the
sounds ceased not 20 PAGES away.
From his arms the girls hands
rose slowly to his shoulder, to his
face. caressingly, pleadingly; her
beautiful eyes glowed, half with
terror, half with a prayer to him.
DON'T" she breathed again, so
close that her sweet breath fell
warm on his face. "Don't-if you
care for me-"
Gently he drew her close in his
arms. crushing her face to his
breast, kissing her hair, her eyes,
her mouth.
Il love YOU" he whispered again
and again.
The steps We're resumed, the
voices died away. Then there
came a pressure against his breast.
gentle resistance, and he opened
his arms so that the girl drew back
from him. Her lips were smiling
at him, and in that smile there was
gentle accusation the sweetness of
| forgiveness, and he could see that
with these there had come also a
flush into her cheeks and a daz-
zling glow into her eyes.
They are gone" she said trem-
blingiy.
Yes; they are gone"
He stood looking down into her
glowing face in silence. Then,
They are gone he repeated.
"They were the men who tried to
kill me at Prince Albert. l have
let them go-for you. Will you
tell me your Nance"
"Yes-that much-now. 1t is
! Meleese."
"Meleese."
The name fell from him sharply.
In an instant there required to him
| all that Croisset had said. and
there came from his lips the half
breeds words. which had burned
themselves in his memory, Per
haps you will understand when I
tell you this warning is sent to you
by the little Meleese." What had
CrOisset meant!
"Meleese." he repeated, looking
strangely INTO the girls face.
''Yes-Meleese-"
She drew back from him slowly.
the color fading from her cheeks :;
and as she saw the light in his
eyes. there burst from her short
stifled cry.stifled cry.
"Now-you understand-you un-
derstand why you must go back
into the SOUTH" she almost sobbed
"Oh, l have sinned to tell you my
name! But you will go, won't you
You will go-for me-"
For you I would go to the end
of the earth" interrupted How
land, his pale face near to her
But you must tell me why.
don't understand you. don't know
Why my life is in danger here
Croisset told me that my warning
back there came from girl named
Meleese. ! didn't understand him.
don't understand you. 1t Is all a
mystery to me. So far as | know
have never had enemies. | never
heard your name until Croisset
spoke it. What did he mean
What do you mean? Why do you
want to drive me from the Wekus
ko? Why Is my life In danger? II
Is FOR you to tell me these things
have been honest with you.
love you. will fight for you II il
is necessary-but you must tell me
tell me-"
His breath was hot in her face
and she stared at him as II what
she heard robbed her Of the power
of speech.
Wont you tell me?' he whis
pered more softly "Meleese--
she made no effort to resist him
as he drew her once more In his
arms, crushing her sweet lips to
his own. 'Meelese. won't YOU tel
me-"
Suddenly she lifted her hands tt
his face and pushed back his head
looking sQuarely into his eyes.
IF | tell YOU" she said softly
and In telling you ! betray those
whom | love. will you promise t.
bring harm to none of them, but &c
go back into the SOUTH
"And leave your
| "Yes--and leave, mo-" ~
F..t. ~