Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-08-08
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CHAPTER VIII. =
THE TRYsT.


THE TRYsT.
nm 7 still lacked nearly an hour
Of the appointed time when
6<7SeI Rowland came to the seclud
~ ed spot In the trail where be
was to meet Meleese. Concealed In
the deep shadows Of the bushes he
seated himself on the end Of fallen
spruce and loaded his pipe. taking care
to light it with the dare Of the match
hidden in the hollow Of his hands.
His blood was tingling ut fever heat
In his desire for vengeance for the
punishment OF the human fiends who
had attempted to blow him to atoms,
and vet at the same time there was no
bitterness iD him toward the girl. He
was sure that she was an unwilling
factor In the plot and that she was
doing all in her power to save him. At
the same time he began to realize that
he should no longer be influenced by
her pleading. He had promised-in re-
turn for her confidence this night-to
leave unpublished those whom she
wished to shield He would take back
that promise. Before she revealed any
thing to him be would warn her that
he was determined to discover those
who had twice sought to kill him.
1t was nearly midnight when he
looked at bis watch again. Was it
possible that Meleese would not come?
He could not bring himself to believe
that she knew Of his Imprisonment In
the coyote-of this second attempt on
bis life. And vet If she did
Suddenly be heard step. light run
ming step. and with recognizing cry
he sprang out into the starlight to
meet the slim. painting. white faced
Ggure that ran to him from between
the thick walls OF forest trees.
"Afeleesev' he exclaimed softly.
He held out his arms and the girl
ran straight into them. thrusting her
hands against his breast. throwing
back her head so that she looked up
into bis face With great. staring. hor-
ror filed eyes.
"Now-now!" she sobbed. NOW will
you go?'
Her hands left his breast and crept
to his shoulders. Slowly they slipped
over them. and as Rowland pressed
her closer. his lips silent. she gave an
agonized cry and dropped her head
against his shoulder. her whole body
torn in a CONFUSION Of grief and ter
ror that startled him.
"You will go?" she sobbed again
and again. You will go-you will
co.
He ran his fingers through her soft
hair. crushing his face close to hers.
mo: l am not goinG. DEAR" he re-
piled In low. firm voice. mot after
what happened tonight"
She drew away from him as quickly
as If he had struck her. freeing her
self even from the touch Of his hands.
II heard what happened an hour
ago." ahe said. her voice choking her.
II overheard them talking" She
struggled hard to control herself.
"You must leave the camp tonight"
In the gloom she saw Howland's
teeth cleaning. There was no fear
In his smile. He laughed gently down
into her eyes as he took her face be-
tween his hands again.
II want to take back the promise
that gave you last night. Melcese.
I want to give you a chance 10 warn
any whom you may wish to warn. I
shall not return into the south. From
this hour begins the hunt for the cow
ardly devils who have tried to murder
me. Before dawn every man on the
Wekusko will he in the search. and IL
we find them there shall he no mercy.
Will you help me. or
She struck bis hands from her face.
springing back before he had finished.
he aaw sudden change of expression.
Her lips grew tense and firm. From
the death Wilderness Of her face there
faded slowly away the look of soft
pleading. the quivering lines Of fear
There was strangeness in her voice
when she spoke-something OF the hard
which Rowland had put
IN his own. and yet the tone Of 1t lack
ID his gentleness and love.
''Will you please tell me the time?"
The question was almost startling.
Rowland held the dial OF his watch to
he light Of the stars
1T ia a quarter past midnight
The faintcst shadow Of a smile pass
d over the girls lips
"Are you certain that your watch Is
lot fast? she asked.
In speechless bewilderment Rowland
'tared at her.
Because 1t will mean great deal to
7ou and to me If It Is not quarter
,ast midnight" continued Meleese. a
growing glow in her eyes. Suddenly
he approached him and put both Of
Ter warm hands to his face. holding
lown his arms with her own Ills
en-" she whispered rs there moth
ng - nothing that will make you
'hange your purpose. that will take
'ou back into the south-tonight?
The nearness Of the sweet face, the
,entle touch Of the girls hands, the
oft breath Of her lips. sent madden
ng impulse through Howland to sur
cnder everything to her. For an in
tant he wavered.
"There might be one. just one. thing
hat would take me away tonight"
le replied. his voice trembling with
he great love that thrilled him. For