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

was agIoomy, depressing scene in the
spectral gray light, wide circle of
intense loneliness, unbroken by either
dwarfed shrub or bunch of grass,
barren expanse stretching to the sky
Vague cloud shadows seemed to fit
across the level surface, assuming fam
tastic shapes, but all of the same dull
coloring, imperfect and unfinished.
Nothing seemed tangible or real, but
rather some grotesque picture of de-
lirium, ever merging into another yet
more hideous. The very silence of
those surrounding wastes seemed bur-
densome, adding UNNECESSARILY to the
horror They we're but specks crawl
ing underneath the sky-the only liv-
ing, moving objects IN all that I'M
mense circle of desolation and death.
Keith turned Ia his saddle, looking
back past Neb-whc swayed in his
seat, with head lolling on his breast
as though asleep, his horse plodding
after the others-along the slight trail
tney mad made across the desert. so
far as eye could reach nothing moved
nothing apparently existed. Fronting
again to the north he looked upon the
same grim barrenness, only that far
of, against the lighter background Of
distant sky, there was visible faint
blur, blush haze, which he believed
to be the distant sand dunes border
ing the Arkansas. The intense dreari-
ness of it all left feeling ofdepression.
His eyes turned and regarded the girl
riding silently beside him. The same
look of depression was visible upon
her face, and she was gazing OF into
the dull distance with lack-luster eyes,
hands clasped across the pommel.
The long WEAKNESS of the night had
left traces on her young face, robbing
it of some Of its freshness, yet Keith
found it more attractive in the grow
ing daylight than amid the lamp shad-
ows Of the evening before. He had
not previously realized the peculiar
clearness of her complexion, the rose
tint showing through the olive skin,
or the soft and silky fineness of her
hair, which, disarranged, was strange
ly becoming under the. broad brim Of
the hat she wore, drawn low until it
Swallowed her eyes. It was not face
to be easily associated with frontier
concert halls, or any surrender to
evil; the chin round and firm, the lips
full, yet sufficiently compressed; the
whole expression that of pure ano
dignified woma1Aood. She puzzled
him, and he scarcely knew what to
believe, or exactly how to act toward
her
"Our friends back yonder should be
turning out from the corral by now"
he said finally, anxious to break the
silence, for she had not spoken since
he ended his tale. ut will not be
long until they discover Hawley's
5Cdicament, and perhaps the welkin
already rings with profanity. That
may even account for the blue haze
out yonder."
She turned her eyes toward him,
and the slightest trace of smile APP
peared from out of the depths of their
WEAKNESS.
IF they would only remain satisfied
with that. Will they follow us, do
you think? And are we far enough
away by this time to be safe?"
1T is hardly likely they will let us
escape without chase" he answered
slowly. 1--WE possess too much infor-
nation now that we have their rem
devious located, and Black Bart will
have a private grudge to revenge. I
wonder if he suspects who attacked
him! But don't worry, Miss Hope;
we have miles the start, and the wind
has been strong enough to cover our
trail. Do you see that dark irregular
ity ahead?"
Eyes; is it cloud?"
mo; the Arkansas sand dunes. I
am going to try to keep the horses
moving until we arrive there Then
We will halt and eat whatever Neb
has packed behind him, and rest for
an hour or two. You look very tired,
but l hope you can keep up for that
distance. We shall be safely out of
sight then"
Indeed, l am tired; the strain of
waiting alone in that cabin, and all
that happened last night, have tried
me severely. But-but I can go
through"
Her voice proved her weakness, al
though it was determined enough, and
Keith, yielding to sudden impulse, put
out his hand, and permitted it to rest
upon hers, clasped across the pommel.
Her eyes dropped, but there was no
change of posture.
Your nerve is all right" he said,
admiringly, you have shown yourself
brave girl"
Il could not be a coward, and be
my fathers daughter" she replied.
with an odd accent of pride in her
choking voice, "but have been afraid,
and-and l am STILL"
"Of what? Surely, not that those
fellows will ever catch up with us?"
No, l hardly know what, only there
is dread l cannot seem to shake OF,
as II some evil impended. the coming
OF which can feel, but not see. Have
you ever experienced any such pre-
monition?"
He laughed withdrawing hfc hand