Semi-weekly herald., 1911-06-05
Aeclurs = c.. is1s1

blur. blush hase. which he believed
70 be the distant sand dunes border
ing the Arkansas. The intense dreari-
ness of 1t all left feeling ofdepression.
His eyes turned and regarded the Eiri
ridinE>silently beside him. The same
look Of depression was visible upon
her face. and she was gazing OF int
the dull distance with lack-luster eyes.
her slender form leaning forward. her
hands clasped across the pommsl.
The long weariness of the night had
1t Of some Of its freshness. yet Keith
found 1t more attractive in the grow.
ing daylight than amid the lamp shad-
ows of the evening before. He had
not previously realized the peculiar
clearness of her complexion, the rose
tint showing through the olive skin.
or the soft and silky hnsness Of her
hair, which. disarrangsd. was strange
ly becoming under the broad brim OF
the hat she wore. drawn low until 1t
Swallowed her eyes. 1t was not q face
to be easily associated with frontier
concert halls. or any surrender to
evil: the chin round and arm. the lips
full. yet sufficiently compressed; the
whole expression that Of pure and
dignined womanhood She puzzled
him. and he scarcely knew what to
her.
Our friends back yonder should be
turning out from the corral by now"
he said finally. anxious to break the
silence, for she had not spoken since
he ended his tale. 1T will not be
long until they discover Hswley's
predicament. and perhaps tho welkin
already rings with profanity. That
may even account for the blue haze
out yonder."
She turned her eyes toward him.
and the slightest trace of q smile ap-
peared from out OF the depths of their
weariness
III they would only remain satisfied
with that. VIII they follow US, do
you think? And are We far enough
away by this time to be safer"
1T is hardly likely they will let us
escape without q chase" he answered
slowly. I'VE possess too much infor-
nation now that we have their rem
dezvous located. and Black Bart will
have a private grudge to revenge. I
wonder If he suspects who attacked
him! But don't worry. Miss Hope;
we have miles the start, and the wind
has been strong enough to cover our
trail. Do you see that dark irregular.
ity ahead?"
Yes; Is 1t q cloud2"
NO: the Arkansas sand dunes. I
am going to try to keep the horses
moving until we arrive there. Then
we will halt and cat whatever Neb
has packed behind him, and rest for
an hour or two. You look very tired.
but hope you can keep up for that
distance. We shall be safely out of
sight then"
Indeed. am tired; the strain of
waiting alone in that cabin. aAd all
that happened last night have tried
me severely. But-but oan 20
through"
Her voice proved her weakness, al
though It WAS determined enough, and
Keith. yielding to sudden impulse, put
out his hand. and permitted 1t TO rest
upon hers. clasped across the pommel.
Her eyes droopsd. but there was no
change Of posture.
Your nerve II all right" he said.
admiringly, you havs shown yourself
4 brave girl"
II could not b . ssward. and bs
my fathers daught~S she replied.
with an odd aoosnt At pride In her
choking voice. but have been AFRAID.
and-and am stu"
''Of whatf Surely, not that those
fellows will ever eaAah up with usi''
Nh. hAflly kASW what. only there
~ q lrsad saanst sssm to shake on.
l4 I sssh, ~ Aoan1sd. the coming
= waAsA 90 ~ ~ not see. Have
ysu svsv srpssteacsd any such pro
monition
He laughed, withdrawing his hand.
II think not. | am far too prosaio
q mortal To allow dreams 70 worry me.
30 far have discovered suMcisnt
trouble in real life to keep my brain
active. Even now cannot forget how
hungry am"
She did not answer. comprshsndinG
how useless 1t would be to explain,
and = little shamsd Of her own Ill
defined fears. and thus they rode on In
silence. He did not notice that she
glanced aside At him shyly. marking