Putnam patriot., 1911-09-22

girl could feel them straining under her hands, could feel his body grow rigid and alert. His hand fell again on his revolver. He made step past her, lis eyes flashing. his face as set aS iron. Almost sobbing. she pressed herself against his breast. holding him back.
 n't-don't-don't!" she whisper ed
 They could hear the cracking of brush under the feet of those who were approaching. Suddenly the sounds ceased not twenty paces away
 From his arms the girls hands rose slowly to his shoulders. to his face. ca resSingiy. pleadingly. her beautiful eyes glowing. half with terror. half with prayer to him.
 Don't" she breathed again so close that her sweet breath fell warm on his face. "Don't-if you-if you care for me-
 Gently he drew her close in his arms, crushing her face to his breast. kiss ing her hair. her eyes. her mouth.
 T love you" he whispered again and again,
 The steps were resumed. the voices died away. Then there came a pres sure against his breast. a gentle re- siStanee. and he opened his arms so that the girl drew baek from him Her lips were smiling at him. and in that srnffa tbara ,-,s ,ror,+lo on,,gotson +bD sweetness of forgiveness. and he could see that with these there had come also a flush into her cheeks and dag zling glow into her eyes.
 They are gone" she said trembling ly.
 "YeS: they are gone"
 He stood looking down into her glow ing face in silence Then, "They are gone" he reneated They were the men who tried 10 kill me at Prince Al- bert I have let them go-for you. Will you tell me your name?"
 "Yes-that much-now It Is Me leese"
 '.Meleeser
 The name fell from him sharply In an instant there recurred to him all that CrnisSet had said. and there al most came from his lips the half breeds words. which had burned them selves in his memory. Perhaps you will understand when I tell you this warning is sent to you by the little Meleese" What had Croisset meantf
 She drew back from him slowly, the color fading from her cheeks. and as she saw the light in his eyes there burst from her short. stified cry.
 Now you understand-you under stand why you must go back into the south. she almost sobbed "Oh. l have sinned to tell you my name! But you will go. won't you? You will go-for me"
 "For you I would go to the end Of the earth" interrupted Rowland. his pale face near to her. .Rut you must tell me why l don't understand you. I don't know why those men tried to kill me in Prince Albert. don't know why my life is in danger here. Crois- set told me that my warning back there came from q girl named Meleese I didn't understand him. don't un derstand you. It is all a mystery to me. So far as l know I have never had enemies I never heard your name until Croisset spoke 1t. What did he mean? What do you mean? Whf dc you want to drive me from the We kusko? Why is my life in danger? II is for you to tell me these things. have been honest with you. l love you I will fight for you if it Is necessary but you must tell me-tell me-
 His breath was hot in her face, and she stared at him as if what she heard robbed her of the power of speech.
 Wont you tell meT' he whispered, more softly "Meleese"- She made no effort to resist him as he drew her once more in his arms. crushing her sweet lips to his own. 'Meleese. won't you tell me|'
 Suddenly she lifted her hands to his face and pushed back his lead. looking squarely into his eyes.
 If tell YOU" she said softly. and in telling you betray those whom love. will you promise to bring harm to none of them. but go-go back into the south:"
 And leave you"
 "Yes. and ieave me"
 There was the faintest tremor of a sob in the voice which she was trying so hard to control. His arms tighten ed about her.
 q will swear to do what is best foI vou-and for me" he replied. T will swear to bring harm to none whom YOU care to shield But l will noi promise to leave you"'
 A soft glow came into the girls eyes as she unclasped his arms and stood back from him.
 ..I will think-think she whispered quickly. "perhaps I will tell you to morrow night here-if you will keel vour cath and do what is best for yor and for me"
 "I swear it,"
 .sThen ] will meet you here-at thi' time-vhep the others are asleep Rut tomorrow you will be careful careful''- Uneonsciously she hal reached her arms out to him as sh' turned toward the path. You will b' careful tomorrow. Promise ne that"
 ''I promise.
 Like shadow she was gone. CHAPTER VI