Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-07-25


pered to her softly
"You must 60" she still persisted.
"with you. yes" he answered.
mo. no: tomorrow. You must 60
back to La Pas-back into the south.
Will you promise me that?''
"Perhaps." he said. Il will tell you
soon" She surrendered to the deter
mination in his voice and allowed him
to pass out into the night with her.
Swiftly she led him along path that
ran into the deep gloom of the balsam
and spruce He could hear the throb-
bling Of her heart and her quick. ex-
cited breathing 40 she stopped. one Of
her hands clasping him nervously by
the arm.
ut is not very far from here" she
whispered You must not 60 with
me. If they saw me with you at this
hour he felt her shuddering
against him.
"Only a little farther" he begged.
She surrendered again hesitatingly.
and they went on more slowly than
before until they came to where few
faint lights in the camp were visible
ahead of them.
"Now-now you must 60"
Rowland turned as If to obey. In
an instant the girl was at his side.
"You have not promised" she en-
treated. "Will you go-tomorrow"
In the luster Of the eyes that were
turned up to him in the gloom How
land 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
for only few hours: that until tonight
he had heard no word pass from her
lips. He was conscious only that In
the space Of those few hours some
thing had come into his life which
he 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. filled him.
He crushed her hands once more to
his breast as ne 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 60. Suddenly he freed one Of
his hands and brushed hack the thick
hair from her brow and turned her
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. and from her lips
there came soft little sobbing cry.
mo. I have not promised. and will
not PROMISE" he said. holding her face
20 that she could not look away from
him. Forgive me for-for-doing
this And before she could move be
caught her for 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 will not
go back" be cried softly. ut is be-
cause love you-love you
He caught himself. choking back the
words. and as she drew away from
him her eyes shone with glory that
made him half reach out his arms to
her.
you will forgive me.' he begged.
81 do not mean to do wrong. Only
you must know why shall not 60
back into the south"
From her distance she saw his arms
stretched like shadows toward her.
Her voice was low. SO low that be
could hardly hear the words she spoke.
but its sweetness thrilled him.
III you love me You will do this
thing for me. You viii 60 tomorrow"
"And your"
III" He heard the tremulous CULVER
in her voice. VERY soon 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.
"Go! Cor! she cried tensely. "Hur-
n back to the cabin! Lock your door.
and don't come out again tonight! Oh.
please. 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.
he whispered. "See?" He drew his
revolver SO that it cleaned In the light
Of the stars.
With frightened gasp the girl pull
ed him into the thick bushes beside the
path until they stood dozen PAGES
from where those who were coming
down the trail would pass, There was
q silence as Rowland slipped his weap-
on back into its holster. Then the
voices came again. very near. and at
the sound Of them his companion