The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-09-07
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BELL ~ 20
RYLOUI$ JOSEPH MNeE ]
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CHAPTER XIX-Continued

Il WON'T" she declared. "I'u not
move a step until he promises. You
don't understand. No matter what the
danger she's"
She's a fiend incarnate," Laber-
girl"
She's my sister," cried Sophia
Nov will you understands"
"What?" The two men exclaimed as
one.
She's my sister" the girl repeated,
holding up her head defantly, her
cheeks burning-"my sister by adop-
ton. We were brought up together.
She was the daughter OF an old friend
of my father's-an Indian prince. A
few years g she ran away"
Thank Cod" said Amber from the
bottom Of his soul; and, "Ah, you
would" cried Labertouche tenssly, as
Naraini seized the opportunity, when
his attention was m~omentarily divert.
ed, to break for freedom.
Amber saw the fash of a steel blade
In the woman's hand as she struck at
the secret agent, and the latter, STEP
ping back, DETECTED the blow with a
guarding forearm. Then, with the
quickness Of a snake, Naraini stopped.
gllded beneath his arms, and slipped
from the cell.
leaped to the doorway, lifting his pis'
toll; but he was no quicker than So,
phis., who caught his arm and held him
back. NO" she painted; not eve for
~ lives-not at that pricel"
He yielded Unexpectedly. "Of course
you are perfectly right. Miss Farrell"
said he, with a little bow. I'm sorry
She'll have this hornets nest about
our ears in a brace Of seconds. Hark
to that"
A long, shrill shrek echoed down
the gallery. Labertouche shrugged
and turned to the left. Come along"
he said. Amber, take Miss Farrell's
hand and keep close to me-" He led
the way from the cell at a brisk pace
one, indeed, that taxed Sophia's pow.
ers of endurance to maintain.
At length they stood on a low. peb'
bly, ledge, Just outside the black NAV
Of the passage-an entrance bidder
in a curtain-like fold in the face OF the
cliff that lowered above them, casting
an ink-black shadow. But beyond II
the emblazoned armament glowed IRA.
diant, and at their feet the encirclins
waters ran. a broad ribbon OF black
silk purling between the cliff and the
opposing shores, where a thicket Of
tamarisks rose, a black and ragged
wall.
Labertouche strobe off into the wa
ter. Straight ahead" he announced;
don't worry-'tisn't more than knee
deep at the worst. I've horses waiting
on the other side"
"Horses!" Amber interrupted. Great
heavens, man, ~you're-you're omnis-
cient!"
"No-lucky," Labertouche retorted
briskly. "Where'd l been without
Ram Nath? He's taking care Of the
animals. Come along. What
re you waiting for? Don't you know
He turned to see the girl hesitant,
though with lifted skirts. "Oh." he
said In an accent Of understanding,
and came back. III you'll help me,
Amber, l daresay we can get Miss Far.
rell across without a wetting."
He offered to clasp hands with the
Virginian and so make a seat; but
Amber had a happier thought
Il think I can manage by myself,
thank you-if Miss Farrell will trust
me-"
His eyes met the girls, and in hers
hi read trust and faith unendins: he
was conscious of a curious fluttering
in his bosom.
Trust you!" she said. with a little.
broken laugh, and gave herself freely
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned hfa
back, wading out into the stream with
q great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding Aer
very close to him, and that with ease.
Had she been thrice as heavy he could
have borne her with as little care as he
did his own UNNECESSARILY lightened
heart In that hour of fulfillment. The
further bank reared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
prolong the stolen sweetness OF that
moment. forgetful altogether Of the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon a shelving shore and, shaking HIS
legs with an effort irresistibly sug-
gestive of a dog leaving the water,
peer inland through the tamarisks. His
low, whistled signal sounded as Am
Der Joined him and put down the girl
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
were in~terrupted by an exclamation
from Labertouchs.
Hang 1t all! he can't have mistaken
the spot. / told him to wait right
here, and now . We daren't de-
lay" He cast an ap%prehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
He shouldered a way through the
thicket, and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering un.