Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-12-08
CHAPTER NIX.
ESCAPE FROM A TERRIBLE DEATH

"HE dramatic episode which end
ed with the fainting of Miss
Grayman Of course caused
halt. inwardly ragged ut not
being able to so to her assistance and
equally at seeing Payton kneel at her
side. opening my lamp and throwing
its light upon her coiorless face.
He took a flask from his pocket and
pressed 1t to her lips. In q few min
utes she opened her eyes and stared
around. Then her look fell upon me.
aRd she smiled.
How my heart bounded! And again
l struggled vainly to reach her. but
she put up her hand. smiling once
more. and motiOned ME to be quiet
Love her! Heaven knows how loved
her:
Il could die happy" I thought. If
only could rescue her from that
devil"
Then for the first time the absence
Of the maid Susan and Of the third
man impressed itself upon my mind.
As to the man hoped that. after
all. nad killed him. but the fact that
Susan had been left behind gave me
a CLEAN Of hope. II only our friends
could 6nd her she might be Of inval.
liable aid In putting them quickly on
the right track.
How ! did pray that they had come
and that they would follow US.
Tn AUn v%apho Nflc~
man had fully recovered. and Payton
Immediately directed an advance. ]
noticed that Payton always chose the
dnest ground. and the most open places
In the brush In order evidently to
leave as few indications a. possible Of
trail and occasionally the Indian
stopped and carefully replaced branches
that had been broken or brushed aside
This gave me the idea Of struggling
whenever had the strength in order
to leave ineffaceable marks Of our pas
sage. But had not long essayed these
tactics before the Indian gave me an
other blow upon the head with the
butt Of my own pistol. which left me
senseless.
It must have been a considerable
time that I hung limp In the hands Of
my bearers. When at last ! opened
my eyes and stared about I was lying
on the ground.
There was a light from my lamp
which Payton held In his hand, direct.
ing its rays upon the ground a short
distance away. Beside me on the
moist ground knelt Miss Grayman.
tears shining on her cheeks. while her
hand rested. a. In benediction. upon
my brow.
I could see that her lips were NOV
ing silently. Opposite to her in the
shadow appeared the motionless form
Of the Indian. guarding US.
As my eyes opened she gave little
cry. and. leaning over. pressed her lips
to my forehead I struggled to raise
my head and to touch her with my
bound hands. She gently stroked my
face and then burst into uncomfortable
weeping.
The Indian looked at her with indif.
ference. and Payton paid no attention.
Then I noticed the sound Of digging
In wet. sticky soil. twisted my head
toward the spot where the full illumi.
nation Of the lamp fell and saw the
man who had helped the Indian to car
~ me turning up the. dripping mud
with q broad saberliks bayonet. The
terrible truth burst upon me.
They were going t. bury me In the
swamp!
In the awful 0ood Of emotions that
rolled over me one thought. one resist
less longing. rode upon the surface.
turned my face toward Miss Grayman
and spoke her name.
Instantly she tried to dry her tears
and to suppress her sobs. Our eyes
met. and. reading the wish that was
In my heart. she put her face cloee to
mine. John. dear John" she faltsred
with infinite tenderness.
Then our lips met.
God! What . betrothal!
Immediately she fell to sobbing
again. but the soft pressure Of her
hand remained upon my forehead and
comforted me even In that dreadful
moment
Presently Payton. still holding. the
light for the gravedigger. spoke i'm
patiently.
Hurry up" he said. you are too
slow. We must cover the dog and be
or"
The man red0ubled his efforts. and
the giairy clay squeaked and sucked
~ his bayonet tore 1t up.
In q few minutes Payton spoke
again: ''That'll do Now. throw him
In"
The man approached me. and the
Indian rose from his heels
why. he's come to- the man ex-
claimed.
mo natter said Payton. do a T
tell you"
Both stopped to lift me. But before
they could raise me from the ground
Helen had thrown herself at Payton's
feet God in heavenw she cried.
Commodore Brown. can you do such
a thing? They say that' you are Al
fonso Payton. the pirate. and that you
have no mercy. But l know. for you
have proved 1t to me. that you have
the instincts and education Of a gem
tleman. Whatever your crimes may
have been 1t u impossible that you
should do this! It IL too abominable,
unspeakable. unchivalrousr'
For a moment weakness overcams-
her. and she sobbed. bending down
over her knees. Then. ainging OF .her
I did not stop to answer him. but
e0deavored to Lift the insensible form
In my arms. But my strength was
gone.
"Tor Gods saker I muttefed .hoarse-
b. Cant yo9 e. that che . IN dead