Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-06-13


through the darkness
Come" said at last. holding out
my ;iaud. EVERY moment OF delay
only serves to increase your suffer
ing"
She shrank back as though to avoid
my touch. and. reckless OF all conse
queuces. l lifted her slight form in my
arms. TO my intense surprise she
made no resistance. no struggle. Her
head rested against my arm. with face
averted. but could feel shudder run
through her body
You will be compelled to ride man
fashion," announced quietly Il
doubt if you could sit the saddle in
any other way"
Whether it was my calm insistence
or merely her own sense Of inability
to resist longer do not know. but for
a single instant felt the weight Of
her hand upon my shoulder. and then
she had found seat in the saddle. her
head bowed forward. her hands clasp
ing the pommel. az If the pain and ex.
ertion bad left her faint. Somewhere
In the passage. the uplifting. the re-.
volver had slipped from her fingers
and fallen unnoticcd into the black
ness Of the road. Without uttering a
word shortened the stirrup leather
to meet her requirements. fastening
the one opposite back so 1t could not
bangle against her injured ankle.
Then wet silk neckerchief discov.
cred in the pocket of the jacket l
wore, sousing the cloth with water
from the canteen, and bound it Sc
curely about the aching. swollen foot.
'Had l better bind you into the sad
dep
NO" the voice barely audible. II
shall not fall Are-ure you going to
waIk-all the way?"
"Certainly."
could plainly distinguish the sob
Of her rapid breathing.
I'll thank you"
That was all. yet cannot fitly ex-
press the comfort. the encouragement.
these few fnlteringly spoken words
brought to me. They were so unex.
pected. so significant of; the tnal
awakening Of her more womaniy ma.
ture. as to yield ME Instantly fresh
vision Of the girl. She had recognized
kindness. even in an enemy, and had
proved fair minded enough to respond
generously. Whatever might occur
between us hereafter she would never
be able to remember Tie us before
Yet did not tlatter myself that this
slight outburst Of gratitude would
long endure. But | wondered vague
~ If she was not secretly glad to be
saved from Calvert Dunn even at SO
great a cost.
The return journey proved exceed
tngly slow. for the intense pain she
suffered left her weak Steady plod.
ding brought us to the cleft In the
rocks
This is the road. is IL not?"
''Ycs; 1t is not far now to Fairview.'
The path led downward. but not
steeply. winding somewhat crafty
among rocks and trees until we finally
emerged upon the smoot', grass lane
of the lower valley The silence here
was profound. the brooding night seem
ing even more dense and lonely than
upon the open ridge above. felt my
uncertain way forward until the nar.
row road suddenly ended before high
gate. This | succeeded III opening
without much difficulty. and we fol
lowed Il grayeled driveway that led
i,ff tn In. ~ xS,t1V n n
In the gloom to be house of consider.
able size. II was wrapped In dark
ness. AS hesitated at the foot of the
steps tending upward to the front door
l felt her extended hand touch my
shoulder.
What are you going to say--how
explain my being here alone with
you?"
| glanced back toward her. wishing
could read the meaning Of her eyes.
the expression OF her face
II was merely intending to name
myself as Confederate officer, a
friend OF Lieutenant Dunn. intrusted
by him to bring you here for safety
owing to his having been suddenly or
oered ont on speclai duty"
''And-and my accident?"
Your horse stumbled In the dark.
ness and fell. in consequence of which
! was compelled to convey you Oh my
own"
She drew deep breath of relief
Yes. that will do--that will bp best
now: they neel never know tile whole
truth :"
The expression OF her face could not
be seen. We, ] Knew she was leaning
slightly forward AS though seeking
vainly to decipher my features in the
gloon.
II feel that you have sufficient rea.
son to dislike me-" ! began. anxious Ia
uncover. If possible. Der true feeling.
u know have. and yet | do not. -
she exclaimed impuisively aud as
though surprised at TIER own frankDess
II canuot explain Why: l ought to hate
you for what you have done. Yet III
all this trouble you have proved your
self kind. thoughtful. cOnsiderate. and