The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-11-09

AllS eyes LLlCI inc Slll >, anu III her
he read trust and faith unending: he
was conscious of a curious fluttering
in his bosom.
Trust you!" she said, with little,
broken laugh, and gave herself freely
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned his
back, wading out into the stream with
a great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding her
very close to him, and that with ease.
Had she been thrice as heavy he could
have borne her with as little care as he
did his own immeasurably lightened
heart in that hour OF fulflllment. The
further bank neared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
prolOng the stolen sweetness of that
moment, forgetful altogether Of the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon a shelving shore and, shaking his
legs with an effort irresistibly sug
gestive Of a dog leaving the water,
peer inland through the tamarisks. His
low, whistled signal sounded as Am
Der Joined him and put down the girl
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
were interrupted by an exclamation
from Labertouche.
Hang it all! he can't have mistaken
the spot. I told him to wait right
here, and now We daren't de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
He shoudered a way through the
thicket, and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering IN
dergrowth, their passage betrayed by
much noisy rustling. Then, as they
won through to open ground, Laber-
touche paused and whistled a second
time, staring eagerly from right to left.
I'm blessed" he declared, with a
vehemence that argued his desire for
stronger language. This is bad-bad
bad, He never failed me before!
I"
A hooking chuckle seemed to break
s
the flicker of an eyelash a shadow
lifted up out of the scrub-encumbered
level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm;
LabertOuche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her,
drawing his revolver, heartsiCk with
the conviction that they were trapped,
that their labor had gone all for
naught, that all futilely had they
schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was joined
by a score of fellows-shades that ma
teriaized with the swiftness and 81
lcnce from tho surface OF the earth
and before he could level the weapon
LabertOuche seized his wrist For an
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment; but the Englishman was
cool strong. determined; inevitably
in the outcome the weapon was point
ed to the sky.
Steady, you ass" breathed the Sc
cret agent in his ear. Cant you
see"
And Amber gave over, in amaze
ment unbOunded, seeing the starlight
glinting down. dozen leveled rifle
barrels, glowing pale on the spiked.
rounded crowns OF pith helmets, and
striking soft fire from FURNISHED &C
coutrements; while voice, thick with
a brogue that was never bred out Of
hearing Of Bow Bells, was hectoring
them to surrender.
"Ands up. ye bloomin' black beg
CARS! 'Ands up. s'y."
"Tommies," cried Amber: and in
continently he dropped the revolver
as though it had turned hot in his
hand
Steady, my man" Iabertouche in
terrupted what threatened to develop
into a string OF intolerable abuse
Hold your tongue! Can't you see
we've lady with u.s."
"Ul-loi" The soldier lowered his
rife and stepped closer, his voice vi
brating with establishment. "Blimme.
'ere's a go beggar OF a mig
ger givin' me wotfor s If e was a
gent. 90 in ell dye think y'are, yer
lghness?"
"That'n do. Put down those guns.
and call your commanding of1cer. I'll
explain to him. Where is he? What
troops are you? When did you ar
rive?'
What's this" sharp voice cut
the comments OF the Tommies, and
they were smitten silent by It, An Of
ncer, with jinsling spurs and sword
in hand. elbowed through the heart
OF the press, Stop that row instantly.
What's this? Who are you, sir?"
Il sent the message from Kathiapur,
and I'm uncommonly happy to meet
you, whoever you may be. sir. Tell
your men to fall back. please, and I'll
introduce myself properly"
Two words secured the secret agent
the privacy he desired; the officer Of
fersd him an ungloved hand as the
troopers withdrew out OF hearing.
Happy, indeed" he said cheerfully.
I'm Rowan, captain. Fourteenth pio-
neers"
I'm Labertouche, l. S. s. This is
Miss Farrell, daughter of Colonel Far
rell, and this Mr.. Amber OF New York.
We've just escaped from that rock
over there and-lf you'll pardon-Td
nt CT