The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-06-13

through the darkness
Come" ! said at last. holding out
my hand. Every moment Of delay
Aug
She shrank hack AZ though TO svoid
my touch. and. reckless OF all cOns-
Quences. I lifted her slight form in my
arms. To my intense surprise she
made NO resistance. NO struggle. Her
head rested against my arm. with fare
averted. but could feel shudder run
through her body
''fou will be compelled To ride man
fashion" announced quietly Il
doubt II you could sit the saddle i'll
any other way"
Whether II was my calm insist ence
or merely her own sense OF inability
70 resist longer 1 do moi know. but for
a single instant I 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 i'OmIDeI. as II the pain and ex
ertiOn had left her faint. SOni-w hare
In the I,:'ssage. the uplifting. the re-
volver had SlipIs-d from her Fingers
and fallen unnOtic..d into the black.
ness OF the ruad Without uttering n
I" meet her requirements. fastening
the one opposite back SO II could NOT
dangie against brr injured ankle.
Then I wet a silk ns.rkrrchIef discov-
cred In the pu.ket nf the jacket
wore. sOusinx the cloth with water
from the canteen. and bound It se
curely about the aching. swollen foot
Had I better bind you into the sad
dle,"
mo" the voice barely audible. ~
shall not fall Are-are you going to
walk-aIl the wayT"
''Certainly."
could plainly distinguish the sob
Of her rapid breathing.
"l-I thank you"
That was all. YET cannot fitly ex
press the comfort. the encouragement
these few faiteringiy spoken words
brought TO NE they were 80 unex
p<afed. 40 significant Of the nnai
awakening of her more womaniy ma
ture. IA to yield me Instantly Q fresh
vision Of the girl She ned recognized
kindness. even In an enemy. and hau
proved fair minded enough to respond
generously. Whatever might occur
bei ween Us hereafter. she would never
be able to remember me us before
Yet | did not tatter myself that this
slight outburs, OF gratitude would
long endure. But | wondered vague
~ II she was not secretly glad to be
saved from Calvert Dunn even at 50
grent cost.
The return journey proved exceed.
tngiy slow. for the intense pain she
suffered left her weak. Steady plod.
dug brought Us to the cleft in the
rocks.
This IL the road. II It uotr'
"Yes: 1t il not far now to Fairv,sw." +"
The path led downward. but not
steeply. winding somewhat crafty
anon. rocks and trees. until we 6nally
emerged upon the smooth grass land
Of the lower valley The silence here
was profound. the broodins uight seem
Ing even more dense and lonely than
upon the open ridge above. felt my
uncertain way forward until the mar
row road suddenly ended before high
gate This ! succeeded In opening
without much difficulty. and we fol
lowed a gra veled driveway that led
circling to the front Of what appeared
in the gloom to Ike Q house Of consider
able size. II was wrapped In dark.
ness. Az hesitated At the foot Of the
steps leading upward to the front door
I felt her extended hand touch my
shoulder.
What are you going to say-how
explain my being here alone With
you?"
l glanced back toward her, wishing
l could read the meaning Of her eyss.
the expression Of her face.
II was merely intending 10 name
myself a. q Confederate omcef. q
friend Of Lieutenant Dunn, intrusted
BY him to bring you here for safety.
owing to bis having been suddenly or.
dered out on special duty"
"And-and my accidentY'
"Your horse stumbled in the dark
ness and fell, in consequence Of which
l was compelled to convey you on my
own"
She drew 4 deep breath Of relief
"Yes. that will do-that viii bs best
now; they need never know the whole
truth"
The expression of her face could not
be seen. yet knew she was leaning
slightly forward. as though seeking
vainiy to decipher my features in the
gloom.
II feel that you have sufficient rea-
son to dislike me-" began, anxious to
uncover. IL possible. her true feeling.
II know have. and yet do not"
she exclaimed impulsively and n
though surprised at her own frankness.
II cannot explain why: ought to hats
you for what you have done. Yet in
all this trouble you have proved your.
self kind, thoughtful. considerate. and
7 oAn nolv Paol vno~$iAod hur< ~pd -.