The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-11-03
CHAPTER XXIv-(Continued.)

I'VE .hall find house. Be brave!
Remember only that love YOU"
Che answered with a pressure OF
her arms about my neck. and went
on with new strength. my heart
singinA At last, with deep breath
OF thanxfulness, I discerned the roof
OF a h,'' rising above the hedge
to the right. Was 1t occupied? There
was no light at the window. nor smoke
rising from the chimney. but hast
ened forward to its door and knocked.
There was no response. / tried the
door and found II barred. so knocked
again, or rather hammered savagely
with my fist. This time a step ap-
coached.
"Be or" cried a harsh voice. mo
entrance here"
Citizen" said. as mildly as I
could. IL ask your aid--you will lose
nothing by opening the door,"
BE or" he cried again. II will not
open"
sail. letting my wrath burst forth.
"and. shoot you down like the dog
you are. Choose gold louis II you
aid me. death If you Refused" and I
gave the door premonitory kick which
made the flimsy building tremble.
"Come, is 1t war cc peace?"
What is IL yoL require, citizen?'
asked the voice, after moment. in
milder tone.
"some water boiling hot and cloth
"And for these you vii! give a gold
louis?''
II promise it,
every well. will open &. door"
"You will make light first I said.
and placing my burden carefully on
the ground in the shadow OF the hedge,
I drew my pistol and assured myself
that it was ready. Come. make haste"
I added.
In moment light sprang up
within and the door slowly opened.
I crossed rhe threshold with a bound.
to find myself face to face with as
Villa nous a wretch as had ever en-
countered A great shock OF yellow
hair hung over face 80 griEaed and
crustcd with Nth that the features
were almost indecipherable. The
head hung forward and the great
hands dangling below the knees
SLOWED that the man was deformed.
manGed, land heat tho water"
"And the gold LOUISE" he asked.
cycling my Dress
/ drew It forth and placed IL on q
rude table which stood in one cor
uer.
"There 1t is." said. but it is not
yours yet"
His eyes cleaned as he looked at
II and he licked his lips as dog
might have done at sight OF a savory
bone: then he turned to the hearth.
stirred the smouldering embers. threw
some pieces OF wood upon them filed
an carthenwarc pot from another
vessel which stood on the hearth.
and placed 1t In the midst OF the
flames
"Your water will be ready in three
winks. citizen he said.
Good" and moved before the
fire bench which served as a chair
Nov I will bring In my companion
"Your companion" he repeated
looking about with snarl.
"Yes--and If you touch ths goldpiece
I will kill you. Sit down In yonder
corner"
He backed into tho corner indicated
and sat down. staring vacantly. In ar
instant I was outside and lifting my
comrade tenderiy In my arms, bore her
back to the cottage and closed and
barred the door.
"Sit here. my love-" said. and
placed her on the bench. Now. let us
see the ankle"
knelt DeIOrC nGF ana Win ringers
which trembled so that could scarcely
guide them, removed the shoe and cut
away the stocking. The nnkle-which
should have been so slim, so graceful
was cruelty swollen.
1T will be better in moment !
said and dipping the remnant OF the
stocking into the steaming water, held
1t close against the hurt.
ooh that is heavenly" she murmur-
Q1 N N hraathn1 a oh Of ief
I bathed the ankle thoroughly. ;m-
mersing II I'm water almost scalding
and every instant l joyed to see the
lines OF pain In her face soften and dis
appear.
"And now" said at last. 1--WE will
bandage it tightly and It will not pair
you--only, OF course. you cannot use
It for some days"
For some days!" she echoed in dis.
may. But we cannot stay here SC
long time"
NO" agreed, certainly not--bu,
let US bandage the ankle"
But my face fell as 1 glanced about
the room.
what do you require for a ban
"A strip of clean cloth--the longer
the better. But clean cloth. In hove
like this!"
She eolored slightly as she look ec
down at me.
eff you will look away for mo-
ment." she said. Il thing I can suppl,
the bandage."
walked over to the corner where
our involuntary host still squatted
cursing softly 10 himself. and stood
before him. There was sharp rip
How is this, doctor?" asked voice
and turned to see her holding out I,
Inc q strip OF linen.
Excellent" I cried. and kneeling be.
fore her, drew II tightly around tn,
ankle. I rejoiced to see that the swell
ing had already decreased considerable,
and I bent and kissed the little foot
rs that a portion OF the treatment p
she asked, laughing.
"A very necessary portion--don'
you feel the improvement?
Eyes" she said, her eyes dancing, ''
believe / do"
"And now I added. standing vi
again. I'VE must get out OF this. w
are still too near that camp dow
yonder.'
"But am such burden." she pro
tested.
"a dear delightful burden!" and
stopped to raise her, but at that instan
q violent blow sounded on the door.
"Open!" cried % voice. "Open!"
There was no time to temporize; be
sides. L knew that TO hesitate would b
. to double any suspicion we Nigh
awaken.
AT once!" answered. BE brave
my love!" whispered, and kissed he
lips. AS turned away, I saw q brut