Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-24

promised 20 wed. nay even the woman
he loved with all his being IA half
breed, muiattoi HIis mind sickened
with the horror of that thought
His very soul seemed to shltider
and his reason cried out that the
thiuc could never be- Yet in
his heart Of hearts still he loved her.
stiil desired her with all his strength
and VIII; in HIS heart there was no
wayeang. Whatever Rutton had been.
whatever his daughter might be, he
loved her. And more. the honor Of
the Ambers was in pledge, holding
him steadfast TO HIS purpose to seek
her out in India or wherever she
might be and to bear her away from
the unnamed danger that threatened
her-eyen to marry her, If she would
have him. lie had promised; his word
had passed: there could now be no
withdrawal.
An hour elapsed. It's passing rau-
cously emphasized by the tin clock
Amber remained at the table, HIS head
upon IT, his face hidden by his.arms
so still that Dosgott 9ouid have
thought him sleeping but for his un-
even breathing.
At length the young man called
him and Doggott found him sitting mp,
with haggard and careworn face,
but with the sane light Of man com.
posed in his eyes.
"Doggott,' he asked in an even.
toneless voice. have YOU ever men
toned to anybody your suspicion
about Mr. Rutton's racer"
only to you, sil--'
That's good. and YOU wont?"
mo, sir"
"Have YOU" continued Amber. look
ing away and speaking slowly, ever
heard him mention his marriage?"
Never. sir r says in that paper
o was widower; fancy the lady
must have died before | entered is
service e was always lonely man,
all the Is year I've been with i'm,
keepln' very much to imself, sir"
Doggott disappeared to prepare
meal, but within five minutes gun
shot sounded startlingly near at hand.
The Virginian's appearance at the
door was coincident with a clear hail
of "Aho-oy, Amber!"-unmistakably
Quains voice, raised at distance OF
not over 200 yards
Ambers answering cry quavered
with Joy And with bear-like rush
Quain topped the nearest dune.
dropped down into the hollow, and
was upon him.
by the Lord Harry" he cried, al
most embracing Amber in his excite
ment and relief; I'D almost given
I you up for good and all"
And l YOU said Amber, watching
curiously and somewhat dlstrustfully
/ a second man follow Quain into the
vale. Who's that" he demanded.
4 "Oniy Antoine. We've him to thank
He remembered this old camp here
( I'd completely forgotten it--and was
sure you'd taken refuge in 1t. Come
/ inside" He dragged Amber In. the
I Portuguese following. Let's have
/ look at you by the light Lord! you
/ seem to be pretty comfortable-and
I I've been worrying myself sick for
/ fear you" He swept the room with
an approving glance which passed
/ over Doggott and became transfxed
as 1t ,rested upon the hammock-bed
with its burden; and his jaw fell.
/ Whats this? What's this?' He
swung upon Amber, appraising with
relentless eyes the havoc his nights
experience had wrought upon the
man. you look like hell" he ex-
ploded What's up here? Eh?"
/ Amber turned to Doggott. Take
1 Antoine out there with you and keep
/ him until call, please. This is Mr..
Quain; I want to talk with him I'M
disturbed. But you can bring
us coffee when It's ready"
Quain motioned to Antoine; the
Portuguese disappeared into the back
room with Doggott. who closed the
communicating door.
You first" said Amber. IF you've
= fretted about me, I've been crazy
about you--what time I've had to
think"
Quain deferred to his insistence.
ut was simple enough-and damned
hard" he explained. II caught the
Echo by the skin of my teeth, the
skinny almost sinking under me. She
was hard and fast aground. but man
aged to get the motor going and back
ed her off. AS soon as that was all
right we got a wave aboard that
soused the motor-like a fool I'd left
the hatch of-and short-circuited the
coil. After that there was hell TO
pay. I worked for half an hour reef
ing, and meanwhile we went aground
again. The oar broke and l had to
go overheard and get wet to my waist
before / got her on. By that time It
was blowing great guns and dead
from the beach. I had to stand of
and make for the Notwithstanding
else 10 do. We beached about a mile
below the lighthouse and I had the
four-mile tramp home Then after I'd
thawed out and had drink and a
change of clothes. We had to wait two