Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-06-20

squared IN spite or the long night OF
weary exerti0n. The depths OF her
eyes frightened with appreciation
Il believe vour story Mr.. Keith"
sho said ~ lost softly
MY story ?" questioningIy. and turn
ing Instantly toward her.
Yes; all that you have told me
about what happened"
"Oh; 7 had almost forgotten having
told il. hut ! never felt any doubt but
what You would believe. | don't think
I could he 10 you"
II was no compliment. but spoken
with such cviden, honesty that her
eyes met hi- with frapkness.
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 be took Il within his own. holding
II firmly. yet without knowing what
to answer There Vas strong impu;se
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 70 lift It ho~So-f voluntarily. he
possessed TO rigct to itrude Tie
gentlemanly instlacLs OF younger
years held him silent. realizing clear
ly that whatever secret might domi-
nate her life, It vas hers to conceal
Just so long as she pleased. Out Of
this swift struggle OF repression he
managed to say:
I appreciate your confidence. and
mean to prove worthy. Perhaps some
day | can bring you The proofs"
1 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 heeks flushed.
YES she said slowly. convincing
ly. i know I did. II was so anx-
ious to be helped. but-but this is DIFF
ferent"
1t 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
was limited. and the exhausted ponies
must wait until they reached the river
to quench their thirst. Yet this was
very far OFF 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 AZ the three sat together on
the warm sand, revived both by the
food and the brief rest. There was
not great deal to be determined.
only where the girl should be left, and
how the two men had better proceed
to 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-
diate neighborhood Of Carson City.
What her future plans might he were
not revealed. and Keith forebore any
direct questioning. His duty plainly
ended with placing her in a safe en-
vironment, and he felt convinced that
Mrs. Murphy. OF the Occidental Hotel,
would furnish room, and. IL 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
bic might result from discovery. Keith
was surprised at the slight interest
she exhibited in these arrangements
merely signifying her acQuiescence b.
a word. but he charged IL TO physica
WEAKNESS, and the reaction from hel
night Of peril; yet he took pains t.
explain fully his plan, and to gaiI
her consent.
This finally settled. they mounted
again and rode on through the lane.
traversing the sand dunes, keepin,
headed as straight as possible TOWARD
the river. The ford sought was som,
miles down stream, but with the
horses thirst mitigated, they mad,
excellent progress. and arrived at the
spot early in the evening Not in al
the day had they encountered a liv
ing object. or seen a moving thing
amid the surrounding desoIation. Now
looking across to the north, a few
cleaning lights told OF Fort Larned
perched upon the opposite bluffs.
CHAPTER XIV.