The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1911-10-27
bands OF desperate and hunted mel

bands OF desperate and hunted MEL
whose tenderest mercy is death. Any
rock may be the hiding place OF an
outlaw. any dark ravine the render
yous Of us wild a gang as ever muir
dered for plumber"
But the Sergeant said there was
Federal picket post at the crossing OF
the White Briar."
Her voice trembled az she spoke.
He merely supposed there would
be; but even IL II were true, We have
no positive means of knowing that the
men stationed there would be of the
regular service. Doubtless those
thieving, numbering bands-such as
that headed by Red Lowrie, OF whom
you may have heard--sre sufficiently
organized to keep patrols posted, and
may, indeed, be utilized at times by
both armies for that purpose Were
you TO go to them you might be sim
ply walking into den OF wolves"
But could YOU not go with me?"
smiled at the naive innocence OF
her query
81 wish you TO feel that have
never thought 20 much about my own
danger as about yours" returned
quietly But would It be a pleasure
even TO you to behold me swinging
from the limb OF a tree, hung as q
spy without trial, merely because !
ventured 10 walk with you into Fed
eral oampY"
I could see her eyes now resting
full upon me, and much of the hard
ness and doubt seemed to have gone
out of them as she scanned my UNI
covered features IN the dim light.
scarcely think | was ever considered
handsome m~n even by my friends,
but was young then, frank OF face,
with that about me which easily In
spired confidence, and It did me good
20 note how her eyes softened, and to
mark the perceptible tremor in her
voice as she cried impulsively:
"Oh, no. Not that"
Your words yield me new heart"
replied ferventiy, determined, now
that ice was partially broken, to per-
init no excuse for its again forming
.for II you but once fully realize our
situation you will certainly feel that
am merely endeavoring TO perform
my plain duty"
"I will, Of course. bow to the newt
able, SIR" she said, land shall en-.
deavor TO adapt myself TO tho require
meIts Of my unfortunate situation,
May venture to inquire what you
now propose to do?"
To the right OF where we stood the
ground sloped rapidly downward UNI
til the dense darkness at the foot Of
the steep defile shrouded everything
from view. The descent appeared
rocky and impracticable, and could
distinguish the sound OF rapid water
far below On the opposite side stood
0 dense wood, the outer fringe Of
trees overhanging the roed, and
throush the waving leaves the moon
light chsckered the ground with ST
YER while the dense mass beyond
seemed to flow back up the steep slde
OF the mountain, thick with under
brush. Just below us, and possibly
, fifty feet from the highway, | coult
perceive a small one-story log cabin
as silent, gloomy and deserted 20 al
, outward appearance as were the som
Der woods OF. which It formed a part
, There seems small chsice," | SAID
, speaking as cheerfully as possible
! But propose TO investigate the lot
: hut Wonder, and learn II It may no
4 AFFORD some degree of shelter, If you
| will rest here, in the shadow OF these
e trees, will soon discover whether II
D has inmates or not"
( She followed me in silence across
!. the road to the spot designated, but as
!. | turned to leave her seated upon the
I grass, and we'll protected from pryinl
I eyes, she hurried quickly after me
2 and in her agitation so far forgot her
d self as to touch my sleeve with hel
I hand
q "Oh, please do not leave me here
a alone am not naturally timid, ye
9 everything is so gloomy cannot stanC
!. It. Let me go with you, If you mus
col"
II Most assuredly you shall If you de
sire" returned heartily, :
\ There appeared before US a dim, III
Il tle.used path leading In among tn
trees, and following its erratic curve
we were soon before the cabin, whic
grew even more uninviting as W