The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-17
CHAPTER XII.
rha Eord of the Arkansas.

yellow TeAIuTSleSS pfdiu, put the weary horses had slowed down to a walk the heavy sand retarding progress It was a gloomy, depressing scene in the spectral gray light, wide circle of intense loneliness, unbroken by either dwarfed shrub or bunch of grass, a barren expanse stretching to the sky. Vague cloud shadows seemed to fit across the level surface, assuming fan tastic shapes. but all Cf the same dull coloring, imperfect and unfinished Nothing seemed tangible or real, but rather some grotesque picture of de- lirium, ever merging into another yet nore hideous. The very silence of .nose surrounding wastes seemed bur iensome, adding immeasurably to the ksrror. They were but specks crawl Ing underneath the sky-the only liy- Ing, moving objects in all that inn mense circle of desolation and death.
 Keith turned in his saddle. looking back past Neb--who swayed In his seat, with head lolling on his breast as though asleep, his horse plodding after the others along the slight trail they had made across the desert. So far as eye could reach nothing moved. nothing apparently existed Fronting again to the north he looked upon the same grim barrenness. only that far off, against the lighter Background of distant sky, there was visible faint blur. bluish haze. which he believed to be the distant sand dunes border ing the Arkansas. The intense drearf ness of it all left feeling ofdepressioa His eyes turned and regarded the giR riding silently beside him. The same look of depression was visible upon her fise. and she was gazing off into the dull distance with lack-luster eyes, her slender form leaning forward, her hands clasped across the pommel. The long weariness of the night had left traces on her young face. robbing 1t of some of its freshness, yet Keith found it more attractive in the grow ing daylight than amid the lamp shad- ows of the evening before. He had not previously realized the peculiar clearness of her complexion, the rose tint showing through the olive skin, or the soft and silky fineness of her hair, which. disarranged. was strange ly becoming under the broad brim of the hat she wore. drawn low until 1t shadowed her eyes. It was not face to be easily associated with frontier concert halls, or any surrender to evil; the chin round and firm, the lips full. yet sufficiently compressed; the whole expression that of pure and dignifod womanhood. She puzzled him. and he scarcely knew what to believe. or exactly how to act toward her.
 Our friends back wonder should be turning out from the corral by now" he suid finally, anxious to break the silence. for she had not spoken since he ended his tale. Tt will not be long until they discover Hawiey's iredicament. and perhaps the welkin Already rings with profanity. That nay even account for the blue haze out yonder."
 She turned her eyes toward him. and the slightest trace of a smile ap- peared from out of the depths of their weariness.
 If they would only remain satisfied with that. Will they follow us, do you think? And are we far enough away by this time to be safe7"
 Tt is hardly likely they will let us escape without chase" he answered slowly. "We possess too much infor- nation now that we have their ren- dezvous located, and Black Bart will have a private grudge to revenge. wonder if he suspects who attacked himl But don't worry, Miss Hope; we have miles the start. and the wind has been strong enough to cover our trail. Do you see that dark irregular ity ahead?"
 "Y,s; is 1t cloud?'
 No; the Arkansas sand dunes. 'sn going to try to keep the horses moving until we arrive there. Then we will halt and eat whatever Neb has packed behind him, and rest for an hour or two. You look very tired. but l hope you can keep up for that distance. We shall be safely out of sigs then"
 Indeed. am tired the strain Of waiting alone in that cabin, and all that happened last night, have tried me severely But-but can go through"
 Her voice proved her weakness. al though it was determined enough, aId Keith. yielding to sudden impulse, put out his hand. and permitted 1t to rest upon hers. clasped across the pommeL Her eyes dropped. but there was nc change of posture.
 Your nerve is all right" he said admiringly, you have shown yourself brave girl"
 T could not be a coward. and be my fathers daughter" she replied. with an odd accent of pride in her choking voice. ebut have been afraid, and-and am still.''
 "Of whatf Surely. not that those fellows will ever catch up with us?'
 No. hardly know what. only there Is dread cannot seem to shake on, as if some evil impended, the coming of which can feel. but not see. Have you ever experienced any such pre- monitiong"
 He laughed. withdrawing his hand
 Il think not. I am far too prosa'c xr.<~taF .tt<... tr@ xvfsrfg ffic