The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-02-16

o 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 were without arms. But Keith was not a man to hesitate long because of possible danger, and he stepped down into the shallow wa ter.
 Come on, Neb," he commanded, "and we'll find out who lives here.'
 The window faced the west, and he came up the low bank to where the door fronted the north in intense darkness. Under the shadow of the cottonwoods he could see nothing, groping his way, with hands extended. His foot struck a flat 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 cetve in one swift, comprehensive glance, every revealed detail. A lamp burned on a rudely constructed set Of drawers near the window, and wood fire blazed redly in a stone fireplace opposite, the yellow and red lights blending in a 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, a roughly made table, bare except for book lying upon 1t, and a few ordinary appearing boxes, evidently utilized as seats, together with barrel cut so as to make a com fortable chair. In the back wall was door, partially open. apparently leading into a second room. That was all. except the woman.
 1 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, and 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 a 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 swirl1ng in through the open door, causing the fire to send forth spirals of smoke, and he turned, | dragging the dazed negro within, and snapping 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-open. frightened brown eyes, with long lash es half hiding their depths, looking di- 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-hesh and blood-and, with the swift instinct of 8 gentleman, his numbed, nerveless fingers jerked of his hat, and he bowed bareheaded be
 fore her.
 Pardon me-" he said, finding his
 voice with difficulty. "I fell over the
 step, but-but I didn't expect to finc
 8 woman here"
 He heard her quick breathing, mark
 ed slight change in the expression O
 the dark eyes, and caught the glittel
 of the frelight on a revolver In he lowered hand.
 What did you expect to hnd?'
 q hardly knew" he explained lame
 ly; i've stumbled on this hut by acci
 dent. I didn't know there was
 cabin in all this valley s'Then you are not here for an,
 purpose? to meet with any one?" ,, No; we were lost, and had gon , into camp up above. when we disco, cred your light"
 , Where do you come from?" : Keith hesitated just an instant, ye r falsehood was never easy for him, an , he saw no occasion for any decei l. now
 : Carson City"
 7 What brought you here?" l We started for the Bar K ranc |, down below, on the Canadian; SC k caught in a sand-storm, and then jus
 drifted I do not know within twent y miles of where we are" e She drew a oeep breath of uncol }. cealed relief.
 6 Are you alone?"
 V The negro and Ives; and yo e haven't the slightest reason to D afraid of us-we're square" t. She looked at him searchingly, an l. something in Keith's clean-cut fac