Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-04

had attacked him on the Great North
| tail. Bis muscles grew tense. The
girl could feel them straining under
her hands. could feel his body grow
rigid and alert. His hand fell again
on his revolver. He made step past
her, his eyes flashing. his face as set
as iron. ALMOST sobbing. she pressed
herself against his breast, holding him
back.
"Don't-don't-don'tp she whisper
ed.
They could hear the cracking of
brush under the feet Of those who
were approaching. Suddenly the
sounds ceased not twenty PAGES away.
From his arms the girls hands rose
slowly to his shoulders, to his face. ca
ressingly, pleadingly, her beautiful
eyes glowing, half with terror. half
with a prayer to him.
"Don'tw she breathed again. so close
that her sweet breath fell warm on
his face. "Don't-if you-if you care
| for mew
Gently he drew her close in his arms.
crushing her face to his breast. kiss
| ing her hair, her eyes, her mouth.
II love you" he whispered again and
again.
The steps were resumed. the voices
died away. Then there came a pres
sure against his breast. gentle re.
sistance, and he opened his arms so
| that the girl drew back from him. Her
lips were smiling at him. and In that
smile there was gentle accusation. the
sweetness Of forgiveness, and he could
see that with these there had come
also flush into her cheeks and daz-
cling glow into her eyes.
"They are gone." she said trembling
ly.
Eyes; they are gone"
he stood looking down into her glow
ing face In silence Then. "They are
gone." he repeated. "They were the
men who tried to kill me at Prince Al
bert. have let them go-fOr you.
VIII you tell me your nameT
"Yes-that much-now. 1t IL Me-
leese."
"Meleeseg
The name fell from him sharply. In
an instant there recurred to him all
that Croisset had said. and there al
most came from his lips the half
breeds words. which had burned them
selves In his memory. perhaps you
will understand when tell you this
warning is sent to you by the little
Meaeese." What had Croisset meant?
She drew back from him slowly. the
color fading from her cheeks. and as
she saw the light In his eyes there
burst from her short stifed cry.
"Now you understand-you under.
stand why you must go back into the
SOUTH" she almost sObbed. "Oh. l
have sinned to tell you my name!
But you will 60, won't your You will
go-for me-"
"For you ! would go to the end OF
the earthr' interrupted Rowland. his
pale face near to her. But you must
tell me why. I don't understand you.
I don't know why those men tried to
kill me in Prince Albert. I don't know
why my life Is in danger here. Crois-
set told me that my warning back
there came from a girl named Meleese.
1 didn't understand him. don't un-
derstand you. 1t Is all mystery to
me. So far as I know l have never
had enemies. never heard your name
until Croisset spoke 1t. What did he
mean? What do you mean? Why do
you want to drive me from the We.
kusko? Why is my life IN danger? 1t
Is for you to tell me these things l
have been honest with you. love YOU
l will fight for you II It is necessary.
but you must tell me-tell me-
HIS breath wns not III ner 1ara, ana
she stared ut him rs il wha; she heard
robbed her Of the power Of speech.
Wont you tell me?" he whispered.
more softly. "Meleese"- She made
no effort to resist him as he drew her
once more in his arms. crushing her
sweet lips to his own. "Meleese. won't
you tell me"
Suddenly she lifted her hands to his
face and pushed back his head. looking
squarely into his eyes.
"If I tell you," she said softly, "and
In telling you l betray those whom
love, will you promise to bring harm
to none Of them, but go-go back into
the southw
"And leave you"
"Yes, and leave me-"
There was the faintest tremor OF
sob In the voice which she was trying
80 hard to control. His arms tighten
ed about her.
81 will swear to do what is best for
you-and for me-" he replied. Il will
swear to bring harm to none whom
you care to shield. But will not
promise to leave you"
A soft glow came into the girls eyes
as she unclasped his arms and stood
back from him.
II will think-think'- she whispered
quickly. Perhaps I will tell you to-
morrow night-here-if you will keep
your oath and do what Is best for you
and for me-"
II swear itw
"Then I will meet you here-at this
time-when the others are asleep.
But tomorrow you will be careful
careful Unconsciously she half
reached her arms out to him as she
turned toward the path. "You will be
careful tomorrow. Promise me that"
II promise"
Like q shadow she was gone.
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