Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-06-15
By MANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY A. C. mcclure & co.


herself, refining up her mare SO sharply
that when also came to a halt we We're
cling each other. my horse rearing
from the heavy pressure on his bit.
What is it? Did you see some
thing"
Nothing but thar dead pine yonder."
pointing toward the left We have
ridden beyond the cutoff"
-Beyond"-
Yes. quarter of mile beyond
What can be the matter with you to-
night? Have You forgotten the way to
your own homer
There was a vague touch of Suspi-
cion in the voice. and she was leaning
forward. evidently striving in vain to
distinguish my features in the dark
ness. An instant | hesitated. no sat
isfactory excuse coming to my lips
She touched her mare lightly with tho
whip. forcing her forward.
Why does it take you so long To
answer? You are not usually SO
dumb
II was surprised at having ridden
beyond the turn. IL must have been
drea ming | ventured.
"You-you are not Calvert Dunn,
she CALCULATED swiftly Your voice ia
unlike his. Tell me the truth. Who
who are you?" The girls voice fall
tered and broke.
/ was compelled to speak now, rap
idly. my voice full of sympathy and
earnestness l made no effort to con-
ceal
Don't draw back" said quickly
Don't be afraid / pledge you the
word and honor of a soldier that no
unfriendly hand shall touch you. no
word be spoken to which you need
object 1t is true l am not Lieutenant
Dunn. but you are personally as safe
with me as you would be riding this
road with him. / mean to take you
to his people at Fairview and leave
you there entirely unharmed by this
nights adventure"
"But-but who are your"
"a soldier left wounded on the field.
who, seeking to escape from capture.
was compelled to assume this uni
form"
IA Yankee~ the voice expressive
of horror.
"Yes. as you use the term" ad-
mitted. Il am from the west. but be
long to the Federal army. Are you
so bitterly prejudiced as 10 believe all
northerners are unworthy? Can you
not forget the color of the uniform for
single hour and trust me to act just
ly?"
She Strengthened up instantly. grip
ping the saddle pommel and staring
toward me through the night
"But-but." she sobbed. I'VE have
been married. . father of mercy
married to a Yankee
Better confession OF the whole
truth now. except that 1 burst not
bear across the river
II beg you listen to me-listen to all
! have to say. If you fully compre-
bend the situation you may not con-
denim me so completely. know
have done wrong. have been guilty of
a cowardly act. yet it is not beyond
remedy. and have been driven
to it for the preservation of life.
! am in the northern army because
/ am a northerner. because 1 have
been educated in the principles of that
section of the country. and have been
called upon to fight to sustain them
Surely you cannot despise me for that
alone. That would not be just nor
womanIy. Forget that L was born
nOrrn ana you SCUM Oh MdsoA anu
Dixon's line and judge my actions
from a fairer standard / know you
can and will You have the face and
eyes OF a woman to be trusted to be
confided in
How do you know that?"
because | saw you yesterday. while
you were talking with the negro. Joe.
in the tool shed"
-'You-yon We're there. You over
heardy'