The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-06-13
O
= 7 HE
| S0lVIR
| A Romance
OF DrWsseuDand
O

bridge. Some went along the river
bank, while the others spread In twos
and thrses fanlike over the country.
They did not Intend me to escape.
! plunged into the wood, keeping from
trodden paths. and broke Off stout
stick to help me to walk aud to serve
as a weapon In ease of need. Ii would
be poor defense II were once seen.
| came out from thick piece of un.
dergrowth on tO broad turf path
and then drew quickly back again.
Three soldiers had dlsmouDted not
two dozen yards away and were lying
upon bank.
From my leafy ambush / saw two
other horsemen turn into the path.
mot found yet?' called out one of
the three had first seen.
mo. and never viii be-" was the
answer, and recognized Costa. "I'd
give a good deal to lay my hands upon
/ him. ! took liking to him, and It's
hard to know that one has loved n
traitor"
"This traitors man at least" said
one.
~ shouldn't have taken liking to
! him II he hadn't been. think he Is
dead"
I'VE ought to have found his body"
'The river has that" was the an
swer
at didn't keep the prisoner who died
yesterday" said his companion. HE
was lying on the bank. sorry sight
I enough"
I Presently all five mounted and rode
slowly up the path, and crcpt through
the underwood again. Perhaps
should have been safer had stopped
sible. Besides. hunger and thirst were
prompting me. A few berries might
be found and stream. | must have
wandered far out of my way, for
came suddenly upon small clearing.
A hut built Of stout logs was there,
! and before II was an old woman fac.
/ ing half a dozen horsemen.
you've searched" she was saying
| "There's not n hole where man could
lie concealed. What have ! TO do with
your fghtingr'
You have seen. no man pass this
way today"
mo. was within, and the door
| was shut"
Mark you, dame. there is man
wandering in these W ,ods, and he'll
want food. Maybe he'll ask you for
/ IT, If you give 1t this hut will be
without an owner. Were he your son
even you sn Id not escapew
Maybe not. but I'd chance that and
give him food IT,
The horseman muttered threaten
ing oath, turned and left the old wo-
man standing at her hut door. As
soon as they were out Of sight she
shook her fist at them The action
made me wonder II could trust her
Within the hut doubtless were food
and drink, and both | sorely needed
perhaps, too, corner where l could
rest little.
She stood at the door for few mo-
ments and then came to the side OF
the hut to pick up bundle of sticks
1t was risky, but was almost faint
Ing for want of food.
Holding up my hand in warning,
stepped into the clearing. She saw me
and let the sticks fall. but she did not
utter a sound.
They are for the king" whispered
~ am for the princess. Who is your
son fort"
"The princess"
She beckoned me 10 follow her and
! ] entered the hut.
you shall eat first and, II you will
tell me the tale afterward."
II was frugal fare she set before me
such II pottaGe rhat ut other times my
stomach might have turned against
but nov enjoyable as the dainty feasI
of an epicure. and then ! told her a
Garblcd version OF my story, true
enough In particulars. but wanting In
detail
You're brave man." she said. MY
son would have acted so, for he IL a
brave man too. Now let me look a'
your wounds. Living In the woods, We
old women find strange herbs"
She could not have used me more
tenderly had been her son. In the
midst of her work she stopped sudden
~ She had Gr,ck ears,
They are returning"
Good mother, give me some weap
on and my llfe shall stand between
them and you"
There IL better way" she answer
ed. Come with me.
She led mo into Il small back room