The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-11

fXI of the appointed time when kS~cai Rowland came to the ;seclud &s3sy 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 flare of the match hidden in the hollow of his hands.
 His blood was tingling at fever heat in his desire for vengeance for the punishment of the human fends 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 unpunished 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 twice1sought to kill him.
 It 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 a 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.
 ''Meleesev' 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- TOT filled eyes.
 "Now-now," she sobbed, "now will you goT
 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 TOT that startled him.
 "You will go?' she sobbed again and again. "You will go-you will go''-s
 He ran his fingers through her soft hair, crushing his face close to hers.
 'sNo; I am not going, dear," he re- piled in a low, finn voice, "not after lwhat 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. "I overheard them talking.' She struggled hard to- control herself. "You must leave the camp tonight"
 In the gloom she saw Howland's g teeth gleaming. There was no fear in his smile. He laughed gently down into her eyes as he took her face be- tween his hands again.
 "I want to take back the promise that l gave you last night, Meleese. l want to give you chance to warn any whom you may wish to warn. I 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 if we find them there shall be no mercy Will you help me. or''-
 She struck his hands from her face spripgi- back before he had finished He saw a sudden change of expression Eer 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 spoke-something of the hard determination which Rowland had put In his own. and yet the tone of it lack cd his gentleness and love.
 'Will you please tell me the time?" Rowland held the dial of his watch to the light of the stars.
 Tt is quarter past midnight"
 The faintest shadow of smile pass. ed over the girls lips.
 "Are you certain that your watch is not fast?, she asked.
 In speeches. bewilderment Rowland stared at her.
 Because it 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- ten." she whispered. "Is there noth- Ing nothing that will make you change 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- stant 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, Mel4se, Hyould give up every thinG-amhttion, Fortune, the building
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