Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-06-15

through the darkness
Come" | said at last. holding out
my hand Every moment of delay
only serves TO increase your suffer
ing.
She shrank back as though to avoid
my touch. and. reckless OF all conse
Quences. lifted her slight form in my
arms To my intense surprise she
made no resistance. no struggle. Her
head rested against my arm. with face
averted. but l could feel shudder run
through her body
You will be compelled to ride man
fashion," I announced quietly Il
doubt If you could sit the saddle in
any other way"
Whether it was my calm insistence
or merely her own sense of inability
to resist longer do not know. but for
single instant l 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 pommel. as If the pain and ex-
ertion had left her faint. Somewhere
in the passage. the uplifting. the re-
volver had slipped from her fingers
and fallen unnoticed into the black
ness OF the road. Without uttering a
word l shortened the stirrup leather
to meet her requirements, fastening
the one opposite back so it could not
dangle against her injured ankle
Then l wet a silk neckerchief discov-
cred in the pocket of the jacket l
wore. sousing the cloth with water
from the canteen. and bound it Sc
curely about the aching. swollen foot.
Had 1 better bind you into the sad
dle?'
NO" the voice barely audible. IT
shall not fall Are-are you going to
walk-all the way?"
Certainly"
1 could plainly distinguish the sob
of her rapid breathing.
IL thank you"
That was all. yet cannot fitly ex-
press the comfort. the encouragement.
these few falteringIy spoken words
brought to me. They were so unex-
pected. SO significant of the final
awakening Of her more womanly ma
ture. as to yield me Instantly a 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 fatter myself that this
slight outburst of gratitude would
long endure. But l wondered vague
~ if she was not secretly glad to 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 it not?''
Yes; 1t 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 ] felt my
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 graveled driveway that led
circling to the front of what appea red
In the gloom to be a 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 my
shoulder.
What are you going to say-how
explain my being here alone with
your
l glanced back toward her, wishing
l could read the meaning of her eyes.
the expression of her face.
81 was merely intending to name
myself as Confederate officer. a
friend of Lieutenant Dunn. fntrusted
by him to bring you here for safety.
owing to his having been suddenly or
dered out on special duty
.And-and my accidentT'
Your horse stumbled in the dark
ness and fell. in consequence of which
! was compelled to convey you ON my
own
She drew deep breath of relief.
Yes. that will do-that will be best
now; they need never know the whole
truth 4"
The expression of her face could not
be seen. vet | knew she was leaning
slightly forward. az 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. if possible. her true feeling
Il know have. and yet ] do not"
she exrIaiined impulsively and as
though surprised at her own frankuess-
Il cannot explain why: l ought to la tie
you for what you have done Yet in
all this trouble you have proved your
III 81