The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-12-28
Ing Instantly toward Asr.

Ing Instantly toward Asr
YES; all that you have told me
about what happened"
ooh; had almost forgotten having
told it, but never felt any doubt but
what you would believe. don't think
l could lie to you"
1t was no compliment, but spoken
with such evident honesty that her
eyes met his with frankness.
There could be no necessity; only
l wanted you to know that I trust
you, and am grateful"
She extended her hand this time,
and he took II within his own, holding
1t firmly, yet without knowing what
to 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 it herself voluntarily, he
possessed no right to intrude. The
gentlemanly instincts OF younger
years held him silent, realizing clear
ly that whatever secret might domi-
nate her life, it was hers to conceal
just SO long as she pleased. Out OF
this swift struggle Of repression he
managed to say:
Il appreciate your confidence, and
mean to prove worthy. Perhaps some
day I can bring you the proofs"
II need none other than your own
word"
"Oh, 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
". II know l did; II 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 YEARLY down to their
meager lunch. Their supply of water
must wait until they reached the river
to quench their thirst Yet this was
very far of 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 a great deal to be determined,
only where the girl should be left, and
how the two men had better proceed
70 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-
date neighborhood of Carson City.
What her future plans might be were
not revealed, and Keith forebore any
direct questioning. His duty plainly
ended with placing her in safe en-
vironment, and he felt convinced that
Mrs. Murphy, of the Occidental Hotel.
would furnish room, and, If necessary,
companionship. The sole problem re-
maining-after she had rather listless-
ly agreed to such an arrangement
was to so plan the details as to permit
the negro and himself to slip through
the small town clustered about the
post without attracting undue atten'
ton. No doubt, the story of their es-
cape had already reached there, EN-.
bellished by telling, and serious trou-
BILE might result from discovery. Keith
was surprised at the slight interest
she exhibited in these arrangements
merely signifying her acquiescence by
a word, but he charged it to physical
WEAKNESS, and the reaction from her
night Of peril; yet he took pains to
explain fully his plan, and to gain
her consent.
This finally S. tiled, they mounted
again and rode on through the lanes
traversing the sand dunes, keeping
headed 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 a liv.
ing object, or seen moving thing
amid the surrounding desolation. Now,
looking across to the north, few
cleaning lights told of Fort Larned
perched upon the opposite bluffs.