The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-09-29
CHAPTER xvIu-tcontinued


dirty. am quite ashamed for you
to see me-"
II was just marvelling." | rctorted,
that you had kept yourself so tmnac-
ulate. l don't understand It,"
'Tmmaculate!" she echoed. and set
off down the slope.
"Shal, We return" she asked Shall
we see tho cave again"
mo, think not" answered: we
must be starting westward.
Then I must say good-by TO IT,,
and she ran back to the entrance.
drew aside the curtain and fell upon
her knees. | say her throw kiss into
the darkness and her head bent FOR a
moment rs though In prayer. l. TOO.
closed my eyes and prayed Goa that
He would give me strength to guide
this woman through to safety.
At last she arose and rejoined me-
TT is a lovable cave" she said. and
it kept US safe. 1t would have been
ungrateful to go away without q word
of thanks" and somehow for me, as for
her, the cavern in that instant assumed
n personality. benign 2nd cheerfut'
could fancy it glowing with pleasure
at thought Of this last good deed
you were right" agreed. But
then, you are always right
"Oh. no." she protested quickly.
L
you will discover that for yourself
Shall /? When?"
"All too soon, 1 fear" and she looked
at me with curious little smile
Il don't believe it," | retorteG. with
conviction.
But she only smiled again. in way
could not understand. and blushed ana
went on without speaking. VINO can
read womans thoughts Certainly
not IT,
! was fferceIy. madly happy. For
the moment. no, thought. of the future.
OF Its penalties and duties shadowed
me. was content to be here with this
brave and lovely girl alone with her.
a comrade and friend. Since nothing
more was posslbIe--sncc TO friend and
comrade could not add ioVer--I would
yet be happier In what was granted
me. And that l mus. be content with
this, saw too well--not in any cold
ness or aversion. but by suotle
change OF manner. the iuerest nuance
of expression. which. at the same time,
kept me near to her and yet held me
far away. On the tower she had per-
mitted my endearments. had even
raised her iips to mine: but that was
looking I'm the face OF death. at mo
mcnt when we need take no thought
FOR the future, at a moment when she
had wished to comfort me and her-
self stood I'm need OF comfort But we
y had emerged from that shadow. there
was the future again to be reckoned
with, and between us an impaipaDie
but invuinerabie ven was stretcieo
which must never hope to pass.
We reached the brook and placed
two broad, fiat stones at the edge OF
n little pool where the lucid water
paused for an instant before pursuing
it's course along the rocky way. and
watched her while she stopped ana
g
and noted with clear delight the soft
curve of her arms. the slim grace OF
neck and shoulders.
Now 1t is your turn, my friend" she
said and made room for me.
lSnelt and drank TOO. How good
md purified the parched throat. how
It heartened the whole body! But at
last could drink no more.
And now I shalt use some or IL
externally" she said. as stood aside
.ss.aed l sat down on, q nearby rock TO
enjoy the spectacle.
She rolled back her sleeves ana
hound her hair la tight coil upon
her head. Then from some hidden
pocket she produced a handkerchief
and dipping It In the stream, applied
sc vigorously to face and neck. l saw
her skin glow and brighten under the
touch OF the coot water. she seemed
suddenly she looked aside and
caught my eyes.
'.Is this the first time you have seen
( A lady at her toilet. NJ de Tavernay?'
she asked. witheringly
'The very first. tnademotselie."
And do you feel no computations
oe conscience Tor keeping your seat
there ?'f
mo, In the least" answered
calmly. Il must sec that no enemy
surprises you"
'f'rom what direction would an
enemv Gomez
Probably from down the valley.
You have eyes then. in the back OF
your head? How fortunate!"
"Oh, ! glanced around fron time ia
Time" explained cool'y. surely
mademoiseile. you would not deny me
the pleasure 1 have Ia tobkins ut you.
That would TO heartiess!"
She glanced az ire again. win little
Gout.
but SHOULD think that you your
self would feel the need OF bath.
she ratorted.
sg"s.o that yoa might feel some
pleasure In looking at me?" I asked
eous scoundrel; my skin is fairl.
stifr with tho dirt upon 1t: and yet
dare not touch 1t with water"
'Dare notT'
"A clean skin would hardly ne III
keeping with this clothing" pointed
out.
''phat ia true" she admitted. with
a.swift glance over 1t. But why die
you assume such disguise? Who vii
see YOU"
MANY people. am afraid. In thu
first place, we must have food"
TT is useless to deny that L an
very hungry" she agreed.
sinstead Of seeking food. fel
osieep." confessed. miserably %
shall meyer forgive mysclf.'
"Nonscnse! We both OF us needed
rest first of all. Indeed. l find thu
Gangs of hunger exhiiarat ing-and hoy
shall relish the fooc when We get II
But continue: who else shall yo'
meet?
"In the second place." | went on
"I must ask my way. since an
wnolly unfamiliar with this country.
"Yes. OF course"
And I'm the third place. In "A coun
FRY even thinlY settled. we must b
nrepared for chance encounters. T
III the people we meet must appea
I peasant In order to protect you"
ITO protect me-"
"Yes--you ore my prisoner-a Spo
kf wp There is a price on your he9t