Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-05-26

Passed almost an hour ere Gilbert
Steele reached with his precious bur
den the house OF e plantation manager
whom be was certain would be able
and willing 70 provide shelter for the
girl for the night
Tbroary bayinE OF dun coated
hounds sent Gilbert. startled, aback
as he drew near the dwelling. and the
sleeping cirl. with q cry Of terror.
Iurched dazedly from his arms. The
planter. aroused by the disturbance.
appeared in the doorway. his figure
Silhoue-red boldly in the glare ot ye!-
low light thai sJreamed forth into the
darkness. He carried g musEet. in
pa1ineSS for immediate action. These
were dangerous times. aud night
p-owiers were usually bent on ques-
tionable errands-
stand back or III fire" he cried
rhrea-suinciy leveling the weapon at
the figure Of the man his eyes dimiy
discerued
But no s0Cne- had he spoken than
the householder lowered the gun. for
much 10 his amazemeut. he Oeheld
coming into the path Of light young
man whose face was familiar TO him
and resting on his arm was a pale
faced. wan eyed young girl. whose
dainty raimenI OF white was torn
through contact with brie-S and stain
ed here and there with dirt marks.
This young lady is far from home" +"
announced Gilbert. lost her way.
needs food and rest. VIII you keep
her here until morning: will pay
you well"
The planter glowered suspiciously at
them.
i viii have 10 ask my wife" was
his reply as he drew back into the
9orsp. slammed the door and left the
travel worn couple standing dlsconso-
lately il the biackness OF the night.
The girl clunS 10 Gilbert in nervous
fear Of the dogs. which. however. were
lesshed in wOOdshed near by. He
comforIed her. though he also was
dismayed-for another reason, how
ever.
Suppose the planters wife would MOI
take Madeleine in, What was TO BE-
done then: Not another dwelling
within miles,
There would be only one resource
and that was practically no resource
at all was probably out OF the Ques
iou. for it meant the taking OF the
girl through the lines OF the distant
military camp and the procuring Of
shelter Of some sort for her there
The door finally opened Gilberf
awaited Ieusely the answer. The
planter again appeared.
Come 81 in" he snapped. Come
in and explain 10 NY wife. and L yoU
can satisfy her that you're ill righr
you can leave the young person here
for The night
With sigh OF relief ar thr gimme:
Of hope held on 10 him Gilbert hal
carried his charge across the threshold
and into the living room OF the plant
er's house
He explained that the girl had stray
ed into the woods il search of will
flowers had iOsI her way. that he haG
fortunately come across ter and hat
guided her 10 the planters house, from
whence she could return home in ths
morning
No; ne had had no opportunity Il
take her 10 her own home. becaus'
the distance was very great and h.
was compelled 10 join his soldier com
rades or else prove disobedient u hi
superior OfIceT-sonething he wOuiG
under no circumstances do
The planters mate surveyed then
both with keenly penetrating eyes
Perhaps she guessed that the hand
Z some soldier lad had not told her a.
Of his story or very much OF the truti
of the situation.
Perhaps she knew that the bewilder
: