The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-06-07

tuitt-u
Come" ! said M last. holding OF
my hand. Every moment OF della,
only serves TO Increase your suffer
ing"
She shrank back rs though TO avoiC
my touch. and. reckless of all cons,.
quences. | lifted her slight form in m,
arms. To my intense surprise sh,
made no resistance. no struggle. He
head rested against my arm. with face
averted. but could feel shudder run
through her body
You will be compelled tn ride mar
fashion" announced quietly Il
doubt II you could sit the saddle in
any other way"
Whether it was my calm insistepce
or merely her own sense of inability
to resist longer do not know. but for
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 pomme. as if the pain and ex
ertion had left her faint. Somew here
In the passage. the uplifting. the re-
volver bad slipped from her fingers
and fallen unnoticed into the black
ness OF the road. Without uttering n
word shortened the stirr,1p leather
To meet her requirements. fastening
the one opposite back So ii could NOT
danSle against her injured ankle
Then | wet Il silk npckprchler discnv.
cred in the pocket of the jacket |
wore. sensing the cloth with water
from the canteen. ana bound IL So
curely about the aching. swollen foot.
Had ! better bind you into the sad
dle:"
No" the voice barely audible. IL
shall not fall. Are-are you going To
wak-aII the wayY"
Certainly"
| could plainly distinguish the sob
of her rapid breathing.
IL thank you"
That was all. yet ] cannot fifty ex-
press the comfort. the encouragement.
these few falteringIy spoken words
brought 10 me. They were so unex.
pected. SO significant OF the final
awakening OF her more womanly 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 me as before.
Yet | did not datter myself that this
slight outburst of gratitude would
long endure. But wondered vague
ly If she was not secretly glad 10 be
saved from Calvert Dunn even at so
great cost.
The return journey proved exceed.
ingly 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 ii uot?"
"Yes: it 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 smooth grass land
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 l felt nv
uncertain way forward until the mar.
row road suddenly ended before a high
gate. This ! succeeded in opening
without much difficulty. and we fol
lowed a grayeled driveway that led
circling to the front OF what appeared
In the gloom to be house of consider.
able size. 1t was wrapped in dark
ness. AS hesitated at the foot Of the
steps leading upward to the front door
| felt her extended hand touch nv
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
Il was merely intending to name
myself as Confederate officer, a |
friend OF Lieutenant Dunn. intrusted |
oy him to bring you here for safety.
owing to his having been suddenly or
1ered out on special duty"
"And-and my accidentT'
Your horse stumbled in the dark. /
less and fell. in consequence of which
was compelled to convey you on my
,wn."
She drew n deep breath of relief.
Yes. that will do-that will be best
low; they need never know the whole
ruth"
The expression OF her face could not
)e seen. yet | knew she was leaning
lightly forward AZ though seeking
-ainly to decipher my features in the
,loom-
Il feel that you have sufficient rea.
on to dislike me-" ! began. anxious TO
Uncover. IL possible. her true feeling.
Il know ] have. and yet ! do not"
be exclaimed impulsiveIy and as
hough surprised al her own frankness
l cannot explain why: ought to hate
on for what you have done Yet In
u this trouble you have proved your
Elf kind. thoughtful considerable. and