The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-09-08

lining except ner. she STOOD dlrecJIy
behind the table, where she must have
sprung hastily at the first sound of
their approach, clutching at the rude
mantel above the fireplace. and staring
toward him, her face white, her breath
coming in sobs. At first he thought
the vision q dream, a delirium born
IRON his long struggle; he could not
conceive the possibility OF such a pres
ence in this lonely place, and stagger-
ing to his feet, gazed wildly, dumbly
at he slender, gray clad figure, the al
most gfrhsh face under the shadowing
dark hair. expecting the marvellous
vision to vanish. Surely this could
not be real! A woman, and such a
woman q this here, and alone, of all
places! He staggered from weakness,
almost terror. and grasped the table
to hold himself erect. The rising
wind came swirling in through the
open door, causing the IRE to send
forth spirals of smoke, and he turned,
dragging the dazed negro within, and
swapping the latch behind him. When
he glanced around again he fully be-
lfeved the vision confronting him
would have vanished. But no! there
she yet remained. those wide-open,
frightened brown eyes, with long lash
81 halt hiding their depths, looking d.
rectly Into his own; only now she had
slightly changed her posture, leaning
toward him across the table, Like Q
fash he comprehended that this was
reahty-hesh and blood-and, with
the swift instinct of Q gentleman, his
numbed. nerveless fingers jerked OF
his hat, and he bowed bareheaded be-
fore her.
Pardon me-" he said, finding his
voice with %dinaculty. II fell over the
step, but-but I didn't expect to find
. woman here"
He heard her quick breathing, mark.
ed q slight change in the expression Of
the dark eyes. and caught the glitter
of the nrelight On . revolver In her
lowered hand.
What did you expect to ind!"
Il hardly knew" he explained lame
~; I'VE stumbled on this hut by acct
dent. I didn't know there was Q
cabin In oil this valley"
Then you are not here for any
purpose, to meet with any one!'
mo; We were lost. and had gore
into camp up above. when We discev.
cred your light"
Where do you come fromy"
Hs ~>4kh k>-lk-A- -
falsehood was never easy for him, and
he saw NO occasion for any deceit
now,
Carson city"
What brought you herer
We started for the Bar X ranch
down below, on the Canadian; got
caught In q sand-storm. and then just
drifted, do not know within twenty
miles OF where we are"
She drew . deep breath Of uncon-
cealsd relief.
Are you alone!"
The negro and I-yes; and you
haven't the slightest reason to be
afraid Of us-we're square"
She looked ct him searchingly, and
something in Keith's clean-cut face
seemed to bring reinsurance. conf
dence In the man.
Il I'm not afraid" she answered,
coming toward him around the short
table. only Il Ii 20 lonely here, and
you startled me. bursting in without
warning. But you look all right, and
am going to believe your story.
What n your namef"
"ksith-Jack KEITH"
o0wman I"
"A little Of everything, I reckon" Q
touch Of returning bitterness in the
tone. "A plainsman, who has punches
cattle. but my last Job was govern
ment scout"
.Ysu look q though you might b
more than that" sAs said slowly.
The man flushed. his lips pressing
tightly together.
well. IL may have been" he CON
fessed unwilingly. 81 started but all
right, but somehow I reckon l Just
went adrift. It's . habit In this counr
try"
Apparently those Arst words of com-
ment had left her Hps unthinkingly, for
she made no attempt to reply; merely
stood there directly facing him. her
clear eyes gazins frankly into his
own. He seemed to actually see her
now for the first time. fairly sup
pie, slender ngure, simply dressed.
with wonderfully expressive brown
eyes. . perfect wealth of dark hair, q
cleaF complexion with slight olive
tings TO It, : strong, intelligent face,
mot strictly beautiful. yet strangely
attractive, the forehead low and broad,
the nose straight, the lips full and In
clined to smile. Suddenly q vague re.
membrance brought recognition.
Why know you now"
indeed" the single word q note Of
undisgnished surprtsas
Yes; l thought you looked oddly
| familiar all the time, but couldn't for