Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-14

by CAD. boys" declared Bran. Il was
so mixed up with that cursed snake l only
saw the scoundrel's boots-they looked too
good for a piners" He laughed ruefully.
Yes or for me, for that matter. Well, l
give It up. I'm only wondering how much
he heard"
How much?" repeated Davis, mot a
thing. Nothin' had been said, reckon
nothin' to hurt. Don't you remember,
Squire, you was Just goin to beginf'
That's all right for you boys" re-
turned Bran. But I'd been talking before
you came in"
About this business, SquireT'
"Yes-no-o, not exactly. II was-hum-m
-" He paused In embarrassment.
His follower broke into a knowing laugh.
'Ha, ha! Squire! You'd been talkln' about
your side issue, l reckon. Wasn't that Il?
Side issue and side saddle, 30 10 speak.
Well, guess that amt agoin to hang no
body-not even you. Ha, ha! What's a
little love maxim! reckon you can trust
the side saddle chr
"Oh, of course. But ia like to know
what he heard. He might make things
pretty awkward for me-" BRAINS tone
sounded decidedly sheepish.
''Mebbe he didn't hear nothin', Squire"
suggested LenE. "Moro'n likely he's some
FISHERMAN who lost his way, and first
thing he knew, he rolled slap down the
hollow into the cabin. TIA be easy to
come plumb through the window that way,
once he got started. o. course, he'd light
out, hotfoot when a room full o. people
begun shootin at him. I never did see
anybody move so quick in my life"
by CAD, mani I believe you're right"
declared Bran. 1T certainly sounds rea-
sonable enough. What dye think about it,
'Brownie2"
Like as not, Squire. Anyway he's clear
off, and he didn't hear nothin' to hurt-I
amt worryin' over it,"
No better explanation offered. no after
some little grumbling and swearing, they
moved off toward the cabin
The sound OF their voices and footsteps
died away through the pines, but for
long time did not care to stir. Not three
yards from my ear, a screech owl bgan TO
boot most lamentably. The weird cry made
me SILVER.
I waited a full twenty minutes, then
lowered myself to the ground. My ribs
still ached from their collision with the
stump, but consoled myself with the
thought of Bram's similar mishap. I stole
along the sandy path. The ridge shortly
fell away to the slough bordered bottom
land. was doubtless out of all danger,
but traversed this, too, with silent speed.
Mechanically I avoided the pools in my
path, but my thoughts were busted with
the girl had seen by the candles CLEAN.
Her eyes seemed to shine luminously upon
me-her mouth dropped pitifuily.
Her face had shown golden pale. Was
1t fear, or WEAKNESS, or only the CANDLE
light that had wrought her pallor? The
curves of her bosom and throat fingered
in my memory-and the roundnsss Of her
lifted arm.
Had she recognized met II so, what wild
conjecture she must have Of my presence!
was deep in the forest when at last
, came to a halt. and stood listening. The
owls hooted from the ridge, and q fox
barked in the distance, The pines sighed
on every hand. Nothing else stirred.
Although had left the Lady OF the Spur
in what was veritablY a den OF thieves
yet 1 had small fear for her safety. In
some way that did not understand 1t was
to Bram's interest to protect her-even
from himself.
After an hour or more's toilsome walk,
, emerged into the country road. 1t wal
the very spot where the girl had turned her
, horse into the pines and so drawn me In
pursuit.
Notwithstanding my assurance of heI
? safety, 1 felt some qualms at DESERVING
, her-to be sure, 1 had not been allowed
, much choice in the matter, sat down or
! fallen tree where could watch the patti
unobserved
1t was not more than an hour befor,
the dawn. The trees looked grim ant
\ threatening, and a damp mist chung abou
NkAN- k-I-
as I thought OF the adventures Of tn,
r night Suppose, after all, Bran SHOULD
: change his mind about the girl! Perhaps
he had already repented his chivalrou
q impulse-or was It merely fear of the pos
sible consequences that had restrained
/, him2 Perhaps he would yet yield to tn,
sneers OF the malevolent crone.
: But had not long to wait. There wa
2 the quick tramp OF a horses notes.-the cir
|. rode out of the forest
She passed within two yards of me- an
g It was still too dark for me to see he
face or eyes, ! could only make out tina
a she sat erect in her saddle, as one VIII
: feels neither fear nor distress noticed
A too-for the tenth time-heF graceful lengtl
Of limb, and the sway of her slim waist
. She passed, unconscious OF my scrutiny
Gaining the road. she instantly put spur
: to her horse, and vanished at a gallon
a As I sat listening TO the drumming hoofs
. sounding fainter and fainter, / suddenl
3 remembered that I had not even ieArne
her name.
n 1t was almost daylight when let my
self in the side door at Morvan. No on
was stirring in the house. and dragge
#, myself YEARLY to bed. I was too tire
/, to lie awake an instant after touched m
pillow, but l dreamed very gruesomelS
= Through my heavy SAUNDERS, I though
- my grandmother-in heaven these man
% years-sat on a throne OF yellow-aao
brown serpents, and sang a roaring song
l. spicy tale a reckless lay,
% To speed us toward the pit
10 And II you will-to lead the way
A girls the best OF It.
10 while tall girl her eyes luminous bt
- meath level brows. ran through endles
n swamps OF tea! and sobbed my name as Oh
N ran.
m CHAPTER VII.
y
Late Breakfast,
l. Ny cousin" and ! met over q la