The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-10-17

With a frightened gasp the
girl pulled him into the thick
bushes beside the path until they
stood dozen PAGES from where
those who were coming down the
trail would pass. There was a ST.
lence as Rowland slipped his
weapon back into it's holster.
Then the voices came again, very
near, and at the sound of them his
companion shrank close to him.
her hands clutching his arms.
her white, frightened face raised
to him in piteous appeal His
blood leaped through him like
fire. He knew that the girl had
recognized the voices-that they
who were about to pass him were
the mysterious enemies against
whom she had warned him. Per-
haps they were the two who had
attacked him on the Great North
Trail. His muscles grew tense
The girl could feel them strain
ing under her hands, could feel
his body grow rigid and alert. His
hand fell again on his revolver;
he made step past her, his eyes
flashing, his face as set as iron.
Almost sobbing, she pressed her.
self against his breast, holding
him back.
"Don't-don't-don't-" she
Whispered.
They could hear the cracking
of brush under the feet of those
who were approaching. Sudden
ly the sounds ceased not twenty
PAGES away.
From his arms the girls hands
rose slowly to his shoulders, 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
if you care for mel"
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 were resumed, the
voices died away. Then there
came pressure against his
breast, gentle resistance, and he
opened his arms so that the girl
drew back from him. Her Inns
were smiling at him, and in that
smile there was gentle accusation,
the sweetness of forgiveness, and
ne could see that with these
there had come also a flush into
her cheeks and a dazzling glow
into her eyes.
They are gone" she said trem-
blingly.
Yes; they are gone"
He stood looking down into her
glowing face in silence. Then
Ihey are gone,' he repeated.
They were the men who tried to
Kill me at Prince Albert. I have
let them go-for you. Will you
tell me your name?"
"Yes-that much-now. It is
Meleese."
"Meleese!"
The name fell from him sharp
ly. In an instant there recurredI
to him all that Croisset had said
and there almost came from his
lips the half-breed's words, which,
mad burned themselves in hisl
memory, Perhaps you will under
stand when / tell you this warn.
ing 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 al
short, stifled cry.
"Now-you understand - you
understand why you must go back
into the South" she almostl
sobbed. "Oh, have sinned to tell
you my name! But you will go.
won't you You will go-forI
me"
For you I would go to the endI
of the earth!" Interrupted How
land, his pale face near to her.
go III uob tCii lu6 why. H.
don't understand you. / don't
know why those men tried to kill
ME in Prince Albert. l don't knowl,
why my life is in danger here.
Croisset told me that my warning
back there came from grill
named Meleese. l didn't under
stand him. l don't understand F.,
you. 1t is all a mystery to me.
So far as l know 1 have never had
enemies. / never heard your
name until Croisset spoke it. What /,
lid he mean? What do you mean +?
Why do you want to drive mel ,
from the Wekusko? Why is mylse
life in danger? 1t is for you toll,
ell me these things. 1 have beenl,,
honest with you. I love you. H.,
will fight for you If it is neces-l,
'ary-but you must tell me-teIlli
ne"
His breath was hot in her face.
and she stared at him as IL whatlI
she heard robbed her of the pow-la
IF of speech.
Won't you tell me?" he whis-iI