Putnam patriot., 1911-10-06

|b3efs< 3e's 10 nght il with the flare of the match hlduen Tn the hollow of his hands. lis blood was tingling at fever hest h his desire for vengeance for the punishment of the human fiends 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 ne 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 twice sought to kill him.
 It was nearly midnight when he looked at his watch again Was it 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 q step. a light run hing step. and with a recognizing cry he sprang out into the starlight to meet the slim. panting. white faced figure that ran to him from between the thick walls of forest trees.
 "Meleeser' 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 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 convulsion of grief and ter TOT that startled him.
 "You will geT' 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; I am not going. dear" he re piled in a 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.
 q heard what happened an hour ago." she said her voice choking her. q overheard them talking" She struggled hard to control herself. You must leave the camp tonight"
 In the gloom she saw Howland's teeth gleaming There was DO fear in his smile. He laughed gently down into her eyes as he took her face be tween his hands again.
 q want to take hack the promise that I gave you last night. Meleese want to 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 ,m me. Before dawn every man on the Wekusko will be in the search. and II we find them there shall be no mercy. Will you help me. or
 She struck his hands from her face. springtng back before he had finished. He saw sudden change of expression. Her lips grew tense and firm. From the death whiteness of her face there faded slowly away the look of soft pleading. the quivering lines ot lear There was a strangeness in her voice when she spoke-something Of the nara determination which Rowland had put in his own. and yet the tone Of 1t lack ed his gentleness and love.
 twill you please tell me the tmet
 The ouestion was almost startling. trowIond held the dial of his watch to the light of the stars.
 "h is a quarter past midnight
 Tho faintest shadow of smile pass ed over the girls lips
 ~8re YOU certain that your watch IS not fast?" she asked,
 In speechless bewilderment Howiaho stared at her.
 "Recause 1t will mean great deal 10 vou and to me if it is not a quarter mast midnight" continued Meleese' a groving glow in her eyes. Suddehiy sha anproaehed him and put both or har warm hands to his face, hoidlhg down his arms with her own LIS ton r she whispered. "ls there noun ,nc- nothing that will make you change your purpose. that VIII laAe ror hack into the south-tonightF
 The nearness of the sweet face the ,,antle touch of the girls hands. the soft breath of her lips. sent madaeh- ,nr impulse through Rowland to sur rondpr everything to her. For an ih' stant he wavered.
 .Tbere might be one, just one, thing {: .,.. ,rorld take me away tonight. sa renljed. his voice trembling ~Itn ,sa re eraat love that thrilled him for vou Meleese. I would give up e.e,'