The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-07-06

rwmuy sne Ied MIN along a path that
ran into the deep gloom of the balsam
and spruce He could hear the throb-
bling of her heart and her quick. ex-
cited breathing as she stopped. one of
| her hands clasping him nervously ny
| the arm.
"It is not very far from here she
whispered You must not 20 with
me. If they saw me with you at this
| hour He felt her shuddering
against him.
"Only a little farther" he begged
She surrendered again hesitatingly.
and they went on more slowly than
before until they came to where few
faint lights in the camp were visible
ahead of them.
"NOw-nOw you must GO"
Rowland turned as If to obey. In
an instant the girl was at his side.
"You have not promised" she en-
treated. Twill you go-tomorrow"
In the luster Of ne eyes that were
turned up to him in the gloom How
land saw again the strange sweet pow
er that had taken possession Of his
soul. 1t did not occur to him in these
moments that he had known this girl
for only a few hours; that until tonight
he had heard no word pass from her
lips. He was conscious only that in
the space of those few hours some
thing had come into his life which
he had never known before. and
<n al 81 %oiy
her sweet face between his hands as
they stood In the gloom Of the forest
and to confess to her that she had be-
come more to him than passing VI
sion in a strange wilderness, filled him.
He crushed her hands once more to
his breast as he had done on the Greas
North trail, holding her 30 close that
he could feel the throbbing Of her
bosom against him. He spoke no
word. and still her eyes pleaded with
him to 60. Suddenly he freed one of
his hands and brushed back the thick
hair from her brow and turned her
face gently until what dim light came
down from the stars above glowed in
the beauty Of her eyes. In his own
face she saw that which he had not
dared to speak. and from her lips
there came a soft little sobbing cry.
mo. l have not promised. and will
not promise he said. holding her face
so that she could not look away from
him. Forgive me for-for-doing
this And before she could move he
caught her for a moment close in his
arms. holding her so that he felt the
quick beating Of her heart against his
own, the sweep Of her hair and breath
in his face. This Is why ! will not
60 back" he cried softly. TT is be-
cause love you-love you
He caught himself. choking back the
words. and as she drew away from
him her eyes shone with glory that
made him half reach out his arms to
ner.
"You will forgive mev' he begged.
81 do not mean to do wrong. Only
you must know why I shall not go
back into the south"
From her distance she saw his arms
stretched like shadows toward her.
Her voice was low. SO low that he
could hardly hear the words she spoke.
but it's sweetness thrilled him.
IF you love me you will do this
thing for me. You will 60 tomorrow"
"And you?"
ZIP" He heard the tremulous CULVER
In her voice. VERY soon you will for
get that you NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
From down the path there came the
sound of low voices. Excitedly the
girl ran to Rowland. thrusting. him
back with her hands.
"Go. Cor she cried tensely. "Hur-
" back to the cabin! Lock your door.
and don't come out again tonight! Oh.
please. If you love me. please. co.
The voices were approaching. How
land fancied that he could distinguish
dark shadows between the thinned
walls Of the forest. He laughed softly.
81 am not going to run. little girl"
he whispered "See?' He drew his
revolver so that it cleaned in the light
Of the stars.
With frightened gasp the girl pull
GU lulO Tic luISh OuShCS OSSiAS SAS
path until they stood dozen PAGES
from where those who were coming
down the trail would pass. There was
a silence as Rowland slipped his weap-
on back into its holster. Then the
voices came again. very near. and at
the sound Of them his companion
shrank close to him. her hands clutch
ing 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 enc
mics against whom she had warned
him. Perhaps one was the man who
had attacked him on the Great North
trail. His muscles grew tense. The
To-