The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-07-12

cne death whiteneSS of her face there
faded slowly away the look of soft
pleading. the qulvering lines Of fear
There was a stranEeness in her voice
when she spoke-somethinS of the hard
determination which Howl0nd had put
In his own. and yet the tone of it lack
ed his gentleness and love.
''VViI you please tell me the timer
The question was almost startling
Rowland held the dial of his watch to
the light OF the stars-
eft is quarter past midnight
The faintest shadow of a smile pass
ed over the girls lips.
.'Are you certain that your watch Is
not fast?" she asked.
/. In speechless bewilderment Rowland
stared at her.
Because it will mean 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
fem she whispered rs there poth.
ing nothing that will make you
change your purpose. that will take
you back into the south-toniEhts
gentle touch of the girls hands, the
roft breath of her lips. sent a madden
Ing impulse through Rowland to sur
render everything to her. For an IN
rtant he wavered.
There might be one. just one. thing
that would take me away tonight,
he replied, his voice trembling with
the great love that thrilled him. "For
you, Meleese. would give mp every
thinE-ambItion. fortune. the building
of this road. If go tonight will you
20 with me? VIII YOU promise to pc
my wife when welreach lie Pas?'
A look of ineffable tenderness came
into the beautiful eyes so near to his
own.
"That is Impossible. You Will not
love me when you know what 1 am
what 1 have DONE
He stopped her.
"Have you done wrong, a great
For a moment her eyes faltered
then hesita tinEIy there fell from hel
Inns: ''I-don't-know. 1 believe have
But it's not that-its not that.
'Do you mean that-that have nc
right to tell you love you?" he ask
ed, "Do you mean that IT is wronf
for you to listen to me? 1-I-took Ii
for granted that you were a girl
that
"No. no; it is not that" she criet
quickly, catching his meaning. 1T !.
not wrong for you to love me" me, suu
denly she asked again. viii yor
Dlease tell me what time it is-now?"
He looked again.
night"
''Let us go farther up the trail.'' SHIT
whispered. ct am afraid here"
She led the way. passing swiftly be
yond the path that branched out e
his cabin. Two hundred yards beyond
this n tree had fallen on the edge o.
the trail. and. seating herself on II
Meleese motioned for him to sit dowI
beside her Howlnnd's back was T.
the thick bushes behind them. Ell
looked at the girl. but she had turned
away her face. Suddenly she spranl
from the log and stood in front o
him.
"Now." she cried; ''nowr' And a
! that sIgnal Howland's arms were SELF
ed from behind. and in another instan
he was struggling feebly in the grip o
powerful arms which had fHstene'
themselves uDOuI nun uhS WIG S"S>
| and the cry that rose to his lips wa
throttled by n hand over. his mouth
! For an instant he caught a glimpse o
the girls white face as she stood i
the trail; then strong hands pulled hir
back. while others bound his wrist
and still others held his legs. Every
thing had passed in a few seconds
HelPlessIy bound and gagged. he lay o
his back IN the snows listening TO th