Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-14

devious located, and Black Bart will
have private grudge to revenge
wonder If he suspects who attacked
him, But don't worry, Miss Hope:
We have miles the start. and the wind
has been strong enough 10 cover our
trail. DO you see that dark irregular.
ity ahead?'
yes; is II cloud?"
NO, the Arkansas sand dunes.
am 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 hope you can keep up for that
distance. We shall be safely out of
sight 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 1t was determined enough. and
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 no
I change of posture
your nerve Is all right" he said,
admiringly, you have shown Yourself
a brave girl"
Il could not be a coward, and be
my fathers daughter" she replied,
with an odd accent Of pride in her
choking voice, "but l have been afraid
and-and | am STILL
"Of what? Surely, not that those
fellows will ever catch up with u.s.
NO. I hardly know what only there
az If some evil impended, the coming
of which can feel, but not see. Have
YOU ever experienced any such pre-
monition?"
He laughed. withdrawing his hand.
Il think not. | am far too prosaic
mortal to allow dreams to worry me.
SO far have discovered sufficient
trouble in real life to keep my brain
active Even now cannot forget how
hungry am
She did not answer, compromising
how useless It would be to explain,
and little ashamed of her own H.
defined fears, and thus they rode on In
silence. He did not notice that she
glanced aside at him shyly, marking
the outline OF his clear-cut features,
1t was a manly face, strong. alive, full
OF character, the well-shaped head
firmly poised, the broad shoulders
squared In spite OF the long night Of
weary exertion. The depths OF her
eyes frightened with appreciation.
Il believe your story Mr.. Keith"
she said at last softly.
My story" questioningly, and turn.
ing instantly toward her
Yes; all that you have told me
about what happened"
ooh; had almost forgotten having
told It. but never felt any doubt but
what you would believe. | don't think
! could lie to YOU
II was no compliment. but spoken
with such evident honesty that her
eyes met his with frankness.
There could be no necessity; only
wanted you to know that I trust
you, and am grateful"
She extended her hand this time,
and he took it within his own, holding
II firmly yet without knowing what
to answer There was strong impulse
within him TO question her. TO learn
then and there her own life story. Yet,
somehow, the reticence Of the girl
restrained him; he could not deliber-
ately probe beneath the veil she kept
lowered between them. Until she
chose 10 HIT It herself voluntarily, be
possessed no right to intrude. The
gcntlemanly instincts OF younger
years held him silent realizing clear
ly that whatever secret might domi-
nate her life, It was hers to conceal
just SO long as she pleased. Out OF
this swift struggle Of repression he
managed to say:
Il appreciate your confidence, and
mean to prove worthy. Perhaps some
day l can bring you the proofs"
Il need none other than your own
word"
oh. bat possibly you are too easily
convinced; you believed In Hawley.
She looked at him searchingly. her
eyes glowing. her cheeks flushed
Yes" she said slowly convincing
ly. Il know did II was SO anx.
ious to be helped, but-but this is dif,
fersnt"
II was noon. the sun pitiless and hot
above them. before they struggled
within the partial shelter Of the sand
dunes. and sank YEARLY down to their
meaxer lunch, Their supply Of water
was limited, and the exhausted ponies
must wait until they reached the river
to Quench their thirst. Yet this was
very far of now, and Keith had seen
enough Of their surroundings to locate
the position Of the ford. Slow as they
must proceed. three hours more would
surely bring them to the bank OF the
stream They discussed their plans
briefly as the three sat together on
the warm sand revived both by the
food and the brief rest There was
not a great deal to be determined
only where the girl should be left, and
how the two men had better proceed
to escape observation.
Fort Larned was the nearest and
safest place for their charge, none OF
the party expressing any desire to ad'
venture themselves within the imme'
date neighborhood OF Carson City.