The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-08

1 I1c hucW ludI tue SlIl adu iCNO6Ai1CU
 the voices-that they who were about
 to pass him were the mysterious enc mics against whom she had warned
 him. Perhaps one was the man who
 had attacked him on the Great North
 trail. His 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 a 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't she whisper | ed
 They could hear the cracking of
 brush under the feet of those who
 were approaching. Suddenly the
 sounds ceased not twenty paces 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't!'' she breathed again, so close
 that her sweet breath fell warm on
 his face. "Don't-if you-if you care for mer'
 Gently he drew her close in his arms,
 crushing her face to his breast, kiss
 ing her hair, her eyes, her mouth.
 ''I love you," he whispered again and
 again.
 i The steps were resumed, the voices 1 died away. Then there came pres l sure against his breast, a gentle re- | sistance, and he opened his arms so 1 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 I also flush into her cheeks and dag i Zling glow into her eyes. "They are gone," she said trembling ly.
 "Yes; they are gone" l He stood looking down into her glow 1 ing face in silence. Then, "They are gone" he repeated. ''They were the 1 men who tried to kill me at Prince AL
 bert. I have let them go-for you. Will you tell me your name" "Yes-that much-now. It is Me | leese"
 "Meleeser'
 The name fell from him sharply. In l an instant there recurred to him all that Croisset had said, and there al-
 most came from his lips the half l 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
 Meleese" 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, stihed cry. "Now you understand-you under stand why you must go back into the south," she almost sobbed. "Oh, have sinned to tell you my name!
 But you will go, won't you? You will go-for me-"
 'Por you I 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. don't know why my life is in danger here. Crois- set told me that my warning back I there came from a girl named Meleese I didn't understand him. I don't un- derstand you. It is all mystery to me- So far as I know I have never had enemies. I never heard your name until Croisset spoke it. 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? It is for you to tell me these things. I have been honest with you. I love you. I will fight for you if it is necessary, but you must tell me-tell me- [ His breath was hot in her face, and she stared at him as if what she heard robbed her of the power of speech. Wont you tell me?" he whispered, more softly. 'Meleese''- She made 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 tell you,'' she said softly, "and in telling you betray those whom ]
 love, will you promise to bring harm to none of them, but go-go back into the south?''
 And leave youT
 "Yes, and leave me-" There was the faintest tremor of a | sob in the voice which she was trying so hard to control. His arms tighten ed about her.
 q will swear to do what is best for
 you-and for me-" he replied. "I will
 swear to bring harm to none whom you care to shield. But I will not promise to leave your' A soft glow came into the girls eyes
 as she unclasped his arms and stood | back from him.
 "I 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-"
 'eI swear itr'
 ''Then I will meet you here-at this time-Ehen the others are asleep.
 But tomorrow you will be careful l carefuf'- Unconsciously she half raaahod hor orpoc 1,,% fo l,;-, o1..