Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-11


lamp. there was twilight enough to
| have enabled me to recognize the
forms OF a woman and two men.
heard the words. "Oh. my God. he
is taken" in the voice of Miss Gray.
man. and she moved quickly toward
me. but a hand arrested her. and a
mans voice. singularly sweet and
thrilling with its strange. sympathetic
quality. which belied the irony of its
words. said: "Ah. Another little ro-
nance. 1 see. Miss Grayman. Your
suitors pursue you even in the wilder
ness. But we will have no tender
scenes here If you please. John" he
continued. addressing the Indian,
hand me that lamp"
The Indian handed It over. and Pay
ton turned of the light.
We want none Of that here either"
he said.
Then he approached me so near that
could make out his features in the
dim light.
You are Lieutenant Allan" he said.
1T may comfort your heart. Heuten-
ant. which will not enjoy many more
thrills in this world. to hear that I
learned your name from the lips OF
your life Allow me to congratulate
you. by the way. on your excellent
plan OF campaign and on your ability
in grand tactics as well as strate-
getics.
II confess" he continued. that do
not comprehend how you found US at
the lodge. but it is no matter. No
man ever had the better OF Alfonso
Payton for long. and all who have
ever tried conclusions with him have
ended the same way"
During this speech. uttered with pitt
less sarcasm, but in a perfectly cool.
even voice, | saw Miss Grayman con-
vulsively cover her face with her
hands and heard her sob.
The sight and the sound gave me for
the moment the strength and fury of
demon. The Indian had let go of me
to hand the lamp to Payton, but the
other man had taken his place.
threw this man off with a sudden
iunge and then dashed at Payton with
lowered head.
had been a football player in my
student days. and knew how to break
the line But Payton was as quick as
l.
self plunged head first into the brush
on the other side of the little open
ing.
Not having the use of my hands. l
fell on my face. and instantly Payton
and the Indian were OH my back. L
struggled madIy, but 1T was all in vain
In few minutes l was rendered help
less by cords bound about my arms
and legs.
Take him up" commanded Payton
still in a cool voice, although he was
painting a little from the exertion-
The Indian and the other man seiz-
ed me by shoulders and feet and be-
gan to carry me.
at is too near the rocks to finish
him." said Payton. They make too
good a landmark. Carry him along.
and when we reach a good place we
will put him where we put Mr.. Green,
who was so unreasonable not long
ago.
After I had become quiet, through
necessity, Miss Grayman, who was
close ahead of US and directly behind
Payton. who led the way. held back a
little and said to me in tones that went
to my Utmost heart: Lieutenant AL
lan-John-if you die. l shall die too.
Oh, could never live"
knew what such words, uttered in
such a presence. must have cost her,
and l blessed her with all my soul. |
The poor poor grill What terrible /
situation for such a confession to be |
forced from her lips. But she felt that |
it might be the only opportunity that |
she would ever have to utter the feel |
ings Of her heart, and l had made |
plain enough to her where my heart |
was.
Helen" 1 replied. God bless you
forever for speaking to me like that |
But do not think of dying. l am not |
dead yet. and
In an exasperatingly cool voice Pay
ton, without apparently turning his
head. broke in: Don't fatter yourself.
Lieutenant Allan. She'll forget you
soon enough That is the way with
women. Why. it's only a little while
since she was as cheerful as lark in
my company"
Oh, heaven. heaven. What frenzy.
what delirium Of fury. was this foe
me! With insensate struggles 1 tried
again to get at the demon until the In
dian struck me a blow upon the head
that dazed me.
But Miss Grayman avenged herself
not as she should have been avenged,
but like an insulted and Infatuated and
desperate woman. She sprang to Pay
tons side and with all her force smote
him upon the mouth. Even in the
darkness she could see the wild fash
that shot into his eyes. but If he raised
his hand it was instantly lowered
again, and he did not touch her.
Twice again. with all her woman's
strength, she struck him full in the
face. Then. like a woman, too, she {
staggered and fell in a swoon. /
(To he Couft1uadA