The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-01-05
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ave. TO them 1t would be ideal. Away
from all trails, where not even widely
rowing cattlemen would penetrate, IN
midst OF a desert avoided by Indians
because OF lack OF game-a man might
hide here year after year without
danger Of discovery. Yet such one
would not be likely TO welcome their
coming, and they wers without arms.
But Keith was not d man to hesitate
long because OF POSSIBLE danger. and
he stepped dowp'into the shallow wa
ter.
Come on, Neb" he commanded,
and we1l findfout who lives here"
The window faced the west, and he
came up the low bank TO where the
door fronted the north in intenssj
darkness. fOnder the shadow OF the
cottonwoods he could see nothing,
cropping his way, with hands extended.
His foot struck fiat stone, and he
plunged forward, striking the unlatch-
ed door so heavily as to swing 1t open. |
and fell partially forward into the
room. As he struggled TO his knees.
Neb's black face peering past him into
the lighted interior, he seemed to per
ceive In one swift, comprehensive
glance. every revealed detail. A lamp
burned on a rudely constructed set OF
drawers near the window, and wood
hre blazed redly In a stone fireplace
opposite, the yellow and red lights
blending In peculiar glow Of color.
Under this radiance were revealed the
rough log walls plastered with yellow
clay, and hung about with the skins
OF wild animals, roughly made table,
bare except for book lying upon It,
and few ordinary appearing boxes,
evidently utilized as seats, together
with barrel cut SO as to make a COM
Portable chair. In the back wall was
door, partially open, apparently
leading into a second room. That was
ALL except the woman.
Keith must have perceived all these
in that first hurried glance, for they
were ever after closely associated to-
gether in his mind. yet at the moment
he possessed no clear thought OF any
thing except her She stood directly
behind the table, where she must have
sprung hastily at the first sound Of
their approach. clutching at the rude
mantel above the fireplace, aud staring
toward him, her face white, her breath
coming in sobs. At first he thought
the vision a dream, delirium born
from his long struggle; he could not
conceive the possibility of such pres
ence In this lonely place, and stagger-
ing to his feet, gazed wildly. dumbly
at the slender, gray clad figure, the al
most girlish face under the shadowing
dark hair, expecting the marvellous
vision to vanish. Surely this could
not be real. A woman, and such q
woman as this here. and alone, Of all
places! He staggered from weakness, {
almost terror, and grasped the table
to hold himself erect. The rising
wind came swirling in through the
open door, causing the fire to send
forth spirals OF smoke, and he turned,
dragging the dazed negro within, and
swapping the latch behind him. When
he glanced around again he fully be-
lieved the vision confronting him
would have vanished. But no! there
she yet remained, those wide-opeu,
frightened brown eyes, with long lashA
es half hiding their depths. looking di-k
rectly into his own; only now she had
slightly changed her posture, leaning
toward him across the table. Like a.
flash he comprehended that this was
reality-flesh and blood-and, with
the swift instinct of gentleman, HID
nerveless fingers jerked oft
his hat, and he bowed bareheaded be-l
fore her.
Pardon me-" he said, finding his
voice with difficulty. .I fell over the
step, but--but didn't expect to find
a woman here"
He heard her quick breathing, mark
ed a slight change In the expression Of
the dark eyes, and caught the glitter
Of the freight on revolver IN her
lowered hand.
What did you expect to find?s
Il hardly knew" he explained lame
y; we stumbled on this hut by acci-
dent. didn't know there was q
'abln in all this valley"
Then you are not here for any
purpose? to meet with any one?"
No; We were lost, and had gone \
nto camp up above. when we discov-
red your light"
Where do you come from?"
Keith hesitated Just an instant, yet
alsehood was neverAeasy for him, and
e saw no occasion for any deceit
ow.
Carson City"
What brought you here?
I'VE started for the Bar X ranch
owD. below, on the Canadian; got
aught in a sand-storm. and then just
rfted, do not know within twenty
lilies or where we are"
She drew a deep breath of uncon-
saled relief.
Are you alone?"
THE negro and Ives; and yorn
ayent the slightest reason to spe-
raid OF us-we're square" yers-
She looked at him searchlngly, aun-
in Keith's clean-cut fries
'emed to bring reinsurance, &C
nee in the man.
~ am not afraid" she answere,
'ng toward him around the short