The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-17

A Ho" cannot forget how hungry am."
 Sne did not answer. comprehepdinx now useless it would be to exnlain and little ashamed of her own III. denned fears. and thus they rode on i'm silence. He did not notice that she glanced aside at him shyly. marking the outline of his cIear-cut feah,ras 1t was manly face, strong. alive f,,ll or character, the well-shaped head firmly poised. the broad shoulders squared in spite of the long night of weary exertion. The depths of her eyes frightened with appreciation,
 T believe your story, Mir. Keith. !" she said at last softly.
 My story?" questioningly. and turn ing instantly toward her.
 Yes; all that you have told me about what happened"
 "Oh; had almost forgotten having told 1t, but never felt any doubt but what you would believe. don't think l could lie to you"
 It was no compliment. but spoken with such evident honesty that her eyes met his with frankness.
 There could be no necessity: only wanted you to know that I trust you, and am grateful"
 She extended her hand this time. and he took 1t within his own, holding 1t firmly, yet without knowing what 10 answer. There was strong impulse within him to question her, to learn then and there her own life story. Yet. somehow, the reticence of the girl restrained him; he could not deliber- ately probe beneath the veil she kept lowered between them. Until she chose to lift 1t herself voluntarily, he possessed no right to intrude. The gentlemanly instincts of younger years held him silent, realizing clear Y that whatever secret might domi- nate her life, 1t was hers to conceal Just so long as she pleased. Out of this swift struggle of repression he managed to say:
 T appreciate your confidence, and mean to prove worthy. Perhaps somx
 
 T need none other than your owl word"
 sOh, but possibly you are too easily convinced; you believed in Hawley."
 She looked at him searchingly, her eyes glowing, her cheeks flushed.
 Yes" she said slowly, convincing ly. T know l did; I-I was so anx- ious to be helped. but-but this is diff ferent"
 It was noon. the sun pitiless and hot above them, before they struggled within the partial shelter of the sand dunes, and sank wearily down to their meager lunch. Their supply of water was limited. and the exhausted ponies to quench their thirst Yet this was very far off now, and Keith had seen enough of their surroundings to locate the position of the ford. Slow as they must proceed, three hours more would surely bring them to the bank of the stream. They discussed their plans briefly as the three sat together on the warm sand, revived both by the food and the brief rest There was not great deal to be determined. only where the girl should be left. and how the two men had better proceed to escape observation.
 Fort Larned was the nearest and safest place for their charge, none of the party expressing any desire to ad- venture themselves within the imme- diate neighborhood of Carson City. What her future plans might be were not revealed, and Keith forebore any direct questioning. His duty plainly snded with placing her in a safe en- yironment and he felt convinced that Mrs. Murphy, of the Occidental Hotel. ,ompanionship. The sole problem re- naining-after she had rather listless- y agreed to such an arrangement vas to so plan the details as to permit ae nc gro and himself to slip through he small town clustered about the post without attracting undue atten- ton. No doubt, the story of their es- cape had already reached there, em- bellished by telling, and serious trou- ble might result from discovery. Keith was surprised at the slight interest she exhibited in these arrangements, merely signifying her acquiescence by word, but he charged 1t to physical weariness, and the reaction from her night of peril; yet he took pains to explain fully his plan. and to gain her consent.
 This finally settled. they mounted again and rode on through the lanes ,raversing the sand dunes, keeping roaded as straight as possible toward the river. The ford sought was some miles down stream. but with the horses thirst mitigated, they made excellent progress, and arrived at the spot early in the evening. Not in all the day had they encountered liv- ing object, or seen a moving thing amid the surrounding desolation. Now, looking across to the north, a few gleaming lights told of Fort Larned perched upon the opposite bluffs.
 (Continued Next Week.)
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