The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-03-25

thank you'll Ml6o FARRELL VIII Iu9t
me-"
His eyes met the girls. and In hers
he read trust and faith unending: he
was conscious of curious fiuttering
IN his bosom.
Trust you'll" she said. with little.
broken laugh, and gave herself freely
to his arms. 90
Labertouche grunted and turned his
back. wading out into the stream with
great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up. holding her
very close to him, and that with ease.
Had. she been thrice a. heavy he could
have borne her with az little care ~ ne
did his own immeasurably lightsned
heart In that hour Of fulnllment. The
further bank neared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
prolong the stolen sweetness OF that
moment. forgetful altogether OF the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon shelving shore and. shaking his
legs with an effort irreststibly sus-
gestive Of . dog leaving the water,
peer inland through the tamarisks. HIS
low, whistied signal sounded as Am
Der Joined him and put down the GIRL
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
were interrupted by an exclamation.
from Labertouche.
Hang 1t all! he can't have mistaken
the spot. told him to wait right
here. and now We darent de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
He shouldered a way through the
thicket, and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering un-
dergrowth, their passage betrayed by
much noisy rustling. Then, as they
won through to open ground, Laber-
touche paused and whistled a second
time, staring eagerly from right to left.
I'm blessed!" he declared. with a
vehemence that argued his desire for
stronger language. This Is bad-bad
bad! He never failed me before!
T."
A hooking chuckle seemed to break
from the ground at their feet, and IN
the flicker of an eyelash shadow
lifted up out of the scrub-encumbered
level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm
Labertouche swore outright needless;
and Amber put himself before her
drawing his revolver heartsick witt
the conviction that they were trapped
that their labor had gone all fo1
naught. that all futilely had the,
schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was joined
by a score of fellows-shades that ma
terialized with the swiftness and 81
lence from the surface Of the earth
and before he could level the weapon
Labertouche seized his wrist. For Al
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment: but the Englishman wa
cool, strong, determined; inevitabl,
in the outcome the weapon was point
ed to the sky.
STEADY, you asst breathed the sc
cret agent In his ear. Cant yo
see-'
And Amber gave over, in amaze
ment unbounded. seeing the starligh
glinting down a dozen leveled rife
barrels. glowing pale on the spiked
rounded crowns of pith helmets. an
, striking soft fire from FURNISHED az
: coutrements; while a voice, thick wit
: a brogue that was never bred out c
! hearing of Bow Bells, was hectorin
r them to surrender
lands up, ye bloomin' black bel
3 gars! 'Ands up s'y!"
"Tommies!" cried Amber; and II
continently he dropped the revolve
as though it had turned hot in hi
hand. -
STEADY, my mani" Labertouche II
terrupted what threatened to develo
into q string Of intolerable abus
!. Hold your tongue! Can't. you sc
we've lady with u.s."
? "Ul-lo!" The soldier lowered hi
rifle and stepped closer, his voice '
brating with establishment. "Blimn
'ere's a go! :. beggar of a MI
ger givin' me wotfor s II e was
} gent! 90 in ell dye think y'are. "
'ighness?"
Inatu 90. fut OOWu tnC6o gun
and call your commanding officer. r
8 explain to him. Where is he? VIII,
IL troops are you? When did you a
l. river"
9 Whats this?" A sharp voice CT
X the comments of the Tommies, an
o they were smitten silent by 1t. An q
u fcer. with jingling spurs and swol
q in hand. elbowed through the hea
of the press. stop that row Instant
J. What's this? Who are you. sir?"
!; IT sent the message from Kathiapu
70 and I'm uncommonly happy to me
g you. whoever you may be, sir. Te
your men to fall back, please. and l
II introduce myself properly"
s. Two words secured the secret age
the privacy he desired; the officer {
"a fered him an ungloved hand as Il
1t troopers withdrew out Of hearing
le Happy. indeed!" he said cheerful
n I'm Rowan. captain, Fourteenth pl
:" neers"