, 1911-07-27

' She surrendered again hesitatinply
n they went on more SLOWLY than
before until they came to where a few
faint lights in the camp were visible
ahead of them.
"Now-now you must 60"
Rowland turned as IL to obey. In
an instant the girl was at his side.
You have not promised" she en-
treated. "Wnl you go-tomorrowr'
In the luster Of the eyes that were
turned up to him in the gloom How
Ian saw again the strange sweet pow
er that had taken possession of his
soul. 1t did not occur to him in these
moments that he had known this girl
Tor only a few hours; that until tonight
he had heard no word pass from her
p He was conscious only that ~
the space Of those few hours some
thing had come into his life which
ne had never known before, and a
deep longing to tell her this, to take
her sweet face between his hands as
they stood In the gloom Of the forest
and to confess to her that she had be
come more to him than a passing vi
sion In a strange wilderness. filed him.
He crushed her hands once more to
his breast as he had done on the Great
North trail. holding her so close that
he could feel the throbbing of her
bosom against him. He spoke no
word. and still her eyes pleaded with
him to go. Suddenly he freed one OF
his hands and brushed back the thick
nail from har hrAw o-I 10000 -.
face gently until what dim light came
down from the stars above glowed in
the beauty of her eyes. In his own
face she saw that which he had not
dared to speak. Inc from her lips
there came a soft little sobbing cry.
"No. ! have lot promised. and / will
not PROMISE" he said. holding her face
so that she could not look away from
him. "Forgive me for-for-doing
this And before she could move be
caught her for a moment close in his
arms, holding her so that he felt the
quick beating of her heart against his
own. the sweep Of her hair and breath
in his face. This is why l will not
go back" he cried softly. 1T Is be-
u l love you-love you
He caught himself. choking back the
words. and as she drew away from
him her. ayes shone with a glory that
made him half reach out his arms to
her.
you will forgive mel" he begged.
Fl do not mea to do wrong. Only
you must know why I shall not go
back into the south"
From her distance she saw his arms
stretched like shadows toward her.
Her voice was low, so low that he
could hardly hear the words she spoke,
but its sweetness thrilled him
"If you love me you will do this
thing for me. You will go tomorrow"
"And your"
"I?" He heard the tremulous CULVER
in her voice. Very oon you will for
get that you NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
From down the path there came the
sound of low voices. Excitedly the
girl ran to Rowland. thrusting him
back with her hands.
60. Co.. she cried tensely. "Hur-
~ back t the cabin! Lock your door.
and don't come out again tonight! Oh.
If you love me. please. co.
The voices were approaching. How
land fancied that he could distinguish
dark shadows between the thinned
walls of the forest. He laughed softly.
81 am not going to run, little girl"
whispered. Seer" He drew his
so that 1t cleaned In the light
of the stars.
With a frightened gasp the girl pull
ed him into the thick bushes beside the
path until they stood a dozen PAGES
from where those who were coming
down the trail would pass. There was
a silence as Rowland slipped his weap-
On back into its holster. Then the
voices came again. very n at
the sound of them his companion
close to him. her hands clutch
Ing his arms. her white, frightened
face raised to him in piteous appeal.
His blood leaped through him like fire.
He knew hat the girl had recognized
the voices-that they who were abou
to pass him were the mysterious enc
niles 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
his revolver. BE made a step past
her. his eyes flashing. his face as set
ns iron. Almost sObbing. she pressed
against his breast, holding him
back.
observation-disclosures" she whisper
ed. Al
They could hear the cracking Of
brush under the feet Of those who
we're approaching. Suddenly the
ceased not twenty PAGES away.
Erom his arma the GIRLS hnnds rose