Eastern Colorado times., 1912-10-18
CHAPTER XXI.
Words Of Love.

"0T00 OF LOVE-
In spite Of the fact that he was
armed the advantage was all with me.
His grip on the girl dragged her to
the ground with him. but she rolled
aside as we grappled like two wild
beasts. my fingers at his throat.
knew the strength Of the man. but
my first blow had sent his brain reel
ing. while the surprise Of my unex-
pected assault gave me the grip
sought He struggled to one knee.
wrenching his arms free, but went
down again as my fist cracked against
his jaw. Then 1t was arm to arm.
muscle to muscle. every sinew
strained as we clung to each other.
striving for mastery. He fought like
q fend. gouging and swapping to make
me break my hold, but only clung
the closer. twisting one hand free,
and driving my fist into his face. At
last gripped his pistol. wrenched 1t
forth. and struck with the butt. He
sank back. limp and breathless, and
rose to my knees looking down into
the upturned face. Almost at the mo-
ment her hand touched my shoulder.
''ls he dead7 Have you killed him?"
Far from It," l answered gladly.
He is merely stunned. and will re-
vive presently, but with a sad head
ache. ! would not have hit him. but
he Is a stronger man than l."
"Oh. you were justified. 1t was done
to protect me. knew you must be
somewhere near"
You were waiting for met"
"Yes-no: not exactly that. was
in the summer house; l did not mean
you should see me. but l wished to
be sure Of your escape; I-I-of course
was anxious"
Il can easily understand that, for you
have assumed much risk-even ven-
tured the life Of the devoted Peter"
"Oh. no; you rate my devotion too
high by far. Peters life has not been
endangered"
But the guard told me he was the
direct cause Of all that firing beyond
the revine."
The starlight revealed the swift
merriment in her eyes.
"1-I-well. believe he was orig
inally responsible. but-well. you see
I know Peter. Major Lawrence. and
really there is no danger that he will
get hurt. / cannot imagine what they
could have found to fire at SO long.
but 1t is certainly not Peter. Twould
be my guess that he is even now In
the house. calmly eating supper, not
| even wasting q smile on the racket
without. You may have observed he
is not Of an emotional disposition"
my attention has, indeed, been
called to that fact. Yet that does not
explain how he could be in two places
at one and the same time"
Nothing that Peter pleases to do
Is explainable. His ways are not our
ways. nor his thoughts our thoughts.
He is simply Peter. He started all
this. but was never in front Of those
guns long. They must be shooting at
shadows. But, Major, we forget where
We are. the perils about US. and the
necessity of your immediate escape.
We must not stand talking here"
She was close beside me, looking up
into my face. her eyes filled with anxi-
ETY. There were words upon my lips
l longed to speak, questions desired
to ask. but I held these sternly back.
restrained by the pleading in those
eyes.
mo, for your sake must 60 at
once." answered soberly. "Seldon
must not find you here. nor must
Grant suspect your connection with
my assault upon him. l doubt II he
recognized my face In this darkness.
although he will surely realize the
truth when he learns Of my escape.
But how can l leave you here unpro-
tected? When this man returns to
consciousness-and that can mean but
a few moments-he will be furious"
II shall be safe enough. He will
have no opportunity to find me alone
again Tonight I had no conception
that he was near, and was not even
armed. I-have been afraid Of him
for months; he has acted like a crazed
man. But you must go!" She caught
my arm, urging me toward the thicket
where the horse was concealed; then
suddenly paused with new thought.
Take his hat and coat" she whis-
pered swiftly. There are British pa
trolls between here and the Delaware.
Quick, and I will have your horse un-
tied"
l did as directed, feeling the value
of the suggestion, and. moment later.
to all appearance an officer of Queens
Rangers. slipped through the thicket
Of trees. and took the reins from her