Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-09

silence, for she had not spoken since
he ended his tale. ut will not be
long until they discover Hawley's
predicament, 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 ap-
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. I'VE possess too much infor-
nation now that we have their rem
devious located, and Black Bart will
have private grudge to revenge.
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 1t cloud?"
mo; the Arkansas sand dunes.
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 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 1t 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
a brave girl"
Il could not be coward. and be
my fathers daughter she replied,
with an odd accent OF pride in her
choking voice, but have been afraid.
and-and | am still"
"Of what? Surely, not that those
fellows will ever catch up with us?"
NO. hardly know what, only there
is dread l cannot seem to shake off.
as If some evil impended, the coming
Of which can feel but not see Have
you ever experienced any such pre-
monition?"
He laughed, withdrawing his hand.
Il think not. am far too prosaic
a mortal to allow dreams to worry me.
So far have discovered sufficient
trouble in real life to keep my brain
active. Even now cannot forget how
hungry l am"
She did not answer. comprehending
how useless it would be to explain
and little ashamed Of her own i'll
defined fears, and thus they rode on in
silence. He did not notice that she
glanced aside at him shyly marking
the outline of his clear-cut features
1t was manly face, strong, alive. full
of character, the well-shaped head
firmly poised. the broad shoulders
squared in spite of the long night OF
weary eXertion. The depths of her
eyes frightened with appreciation.
Il believe your story, Mr.. Keith,
she said at last softly.
"My story?" questioningly, and turn
ing instantly toward her
Yes; all that you have told me
about what happened"
oh; l had almost forgotten having
told 1t, but | never felt any doubt but
what you would believe. l don't think
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
! wanted you to know that trust
you, and am grateful
She extended her hand this time
and he took it within his own. holding
IL IlTWly, yet WITHOUT kHO WlES w hat
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 delber-
ately probe beneath the veil she kept
lowered between them. Until she
chose to lift 1t herself voluntarily, he
possessed no right to intrude. The
gentfemanly instincts OF younger
years held him silent, realizing clear
ly that whatever secret might domi
nate her life, 1t 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 can bring you the proofs"
Il need none other than your own
word"
oh, but possibly you are too easily
convinced; you believed in Hawley.'