Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-18
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CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII.
THE TRYsT. +.
HYY1T still lacked nearly an hour
III of the appointed time when
kS Rowland came to the seclud'
G4& ed spot in the trail where he
was to meet Meleese. Concealed IN
the deep shadows Of the bushes he
seated himself on the end Of fallen
spruce and loaded his pipe. taking care
to light it with the fare Of the match
hidden In the hollow Of his hands.
His blood was tingling at fever heat
N his desire for vengeance for the
punishment Of the human fiends who
had attempted to blow him to atoms.
and yet at the same time there was no
bitterness In him toward the girl. He
was sure that she was an unwilling
factor in the plot and that she was
doing all In her power to save him. AT
the same time he began to realize that
he should no longer be Influenced by
her pleading. He had promised-in re-
turn for her confidence this night-to
leave unpublished those whom she
wished to shield He would take back
that promise. Before she revealed any
thing to him he would warn her that
he was determined to discover those
who had twice sought to kill him.
1t was nearly midnight when he
looked at his watch again. Was II
possible that Meleese would not come?
He could not bring himself to believe
that she knew Of his Imprisonment In
the coyote-of this second attempt on
his life. And yet If she did
Suddenly he heard step. light run
ming step. and with recognizing cry
he sprang out into the starlight to
meet the slim. painting. white faced
figure that ran to him from between
the thick walls of forest trees.
"Meleesew he exclaimed softly.
He held out his arms and the girl
ran straight into them, thrusting her
hands against his breast. throwing
back her head so that she looked up
into his face with great, staring, hor-
ror filed eyes.
"Now-now." she sobbed. now will
you go?"
Her hands left his breast and crept
to his shoulders. Slowly they slipped
over them. and as Rowland pressed
her closer, his lips silent. she gave an
agonized cry and dropped her head
against his shoulder. her whole body
torn in a convulsion Of grief and ter
ror that startled him.
"You will go?" she sobbed again
and again. "You will go-you will
co.
He ran his fingers through her soft
hair. crushing his face close to hers.
mo: I am not going. dear" he re-
piled in a low. firm voice. mot after
what happened tonight"
She drew away from him as quickly
as If he had struck her. freeing her
self even from the touch Of his hands.
T heard what happened an hour
ago." she said. her voice choking her.
~ overheard them talking" She
struggled hard to control herself.
"You must leave the camp tonight"
In the gloom she saw Howland's
teeth cleaning. There was no fear
In his smile he laughed gently down
into her eyes as he took her face be-
tween his hands again.
IT want to take back the promise
that I gave you last night. Meleese.
I want to give you q chance to warn
any whom you may wish to warn.
shall not return into the south. From
this hour begins the hunt for the cow
ardly devils who have tried to murder
me- Before dawn every man on the
Wekusko will be In the search, and II
we find them there shall be no mercy.
VIII you help me. orr
She struck his hands from her face.
springfng back before he had finished.
BE saw a sudden change Of expression.
Her lips grew tense and firm. From
the death whiteness of her face there
faded slowly away the look Of soft
pleading, the Quivering lines Of fear.
There was strangeness In her voice
when she espoke-something of the hard
determination which Rowland had put
In his own. and yet the tone Of 1t lack
ed his gentleness and love.
"Will you please tell me the time?"
The question was almost startling.
Rowland held the dial Of his watch to
the light Of the stars.
"It Is a quarter past midnight"
The faintest shadow of a smile pass
| I'd over the girls lips.
"Are you certain that your watch Is
not fast?" she asked.
In speechless bewilderment Rowland
stared at her.
Because 1t will mean a great deal to
you and to me If it is not a quarter
past midnight" continued Meleese. a
growing glow in her eyes. Suddenly
she approached him and put both OF
her warm hands to his face. holding
down his arms with her own. lis
len." she whispered. "Is there moth
ing nothing that will make you
rhange your purpose. that will take
you back into the south-tonight"
The nearness of the sweet face, the
gentle touch of the girls hands. the
soft breath Of her lips. sent madden
Ing impulse through Rowland to sur
render everything to her. For an In
slant he wavered.
There might be one. just one. thing
that would take me away tonight,
be replied, his voice trembling with
the great love that thrilled him. "For
you, Meleese. would give up every
thing-ambition. fortune. the building
Of this road. If go tonight will you
70 with me? VIII you promise to be
my wife when we reach LIE PasT'
A look of ineffable tenderness came
Into the beautiful eyes 80 near to his
own.
'That is impossible You will not
love me when you know what ] am
what I have done"-