The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-08-03
The;
by JAMES OLIVER
CURWOOD
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CHAPTER WIN.

seated himself on the end OF fallen
spruce and loaded his pipe. taking care
10 light Il with the tlare of the match
hidden In the hollow OF his hands.
His blood was tingling Mt fever heat
ln his desire for vengeance for the
punishment Of the human tiends who
had attempted TO blow him to atoms
and yet ut the same time there was no
/ bitterness In him toward The girl lie
4 was sure that she was an unwilling
/ factor In the plot and that she was
doing all In her power 10 save him. At
/ the same time he began to realize that
/ he should 10 longer be Influenced by
/ her pleading. He had promsed-in re-
/ turn for her confidence this night-tO
leave unpublished those WHOM she
I wished to shield He would take back
that promise Before she revealed any
thing to him he would warn her that
be was determined to discover those
who had twice sought to kill him.
II was nearly midnight when he
looked ut his watch again. Was 1t
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 II 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.
"Meleese" 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, nor
ror tiled eyes.
''Now-now." she sobbed. now will
you go?"
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 CONFUSION of grief and ter
ror that startled him.
"You will go?" she sobbed again
and again. "You will go-you will
GO
He ran his fingers through her soft
hair. crushing his face close TO hers.
"No: | am not going. dear" he re-
piled In low. firm voice, mot after
what 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.
Il heard what happened an hour
ago" she said, her voice choking her.
81 overheard them talking" She
struggled hard TO control herself
'You must leave the camp tonight"
In the gloom she saw Howlands
teeth cleaning There was no fear
In his smile. He laughed gently down
into her eyes as he took her face be-
tween his hands again.
al want 10 take back the promise
that | gave you last night. Meleese.
| want 10 give you chance TO warn
any whom you may wish TO warn. |
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
we find them there shall be no mercy.
win You help me. or
She struck his hands from her face.
springing back before he had finished,
BE saw a sudden change OF expression.
Her lips grew tense and firm. From
the death wilderness of her face there
faded slowly away the look OF soft
pleading. the qulvering lines of fear.
There was a strangeness In her voice /
when she spoke-something of the hard |
which Rowland had put |
n his own, and yet the tone of it lack
d his gentleness and love-
''Will you please tell me the timer"
The question was almost startling. /
Rowland held the dial of his watch to
he light of the stars.
ut IL quarter past midnight"
The faintest shadow of s4uile pass
d over the e a. lips
Are you certain that your watch is
lot fast?" she asked.
In speechless bewilderment Rowland
tared at her.
Because II win mean a great deal to
ou and TO me IL 1t is not Il quarter
asst midnight" continued Meleese, a
rowing glow In her eyes. Suddenly
he approached him and put both Of
er warm hands TO his face, holding
own his arms with her own. Lis
en-" she whispered us there moth
lg nothing that will make you
hange your purpose, that will take
on back into the south-tonightT'
The nearness of the sweet face. the
emile touch OF the girls hands. the
oft breath OF her lips. sent madden
* impulse through Rowland TO sur
ander everything TO her. For an in
tant he wavered.
There might be one, just one. thing
hat would take me away tonight"
e replied. his voice trembling with
be great love that thrilled him. For
on, Meleese, | would give up every
fortune. the building
{ this road. If go tonight win you
o with me? VIII you promise TO be
1y wife when we reach lie Pasr