The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-01-19

out MS Hanu, anu pelHlltteu ~ 10 pest
upon hers, claspcd across the pomhel.
Her eyes dropped. but there waS no
change of posture
Your nerve is all right" he said,
admiringly, you have shown yourself
brave girl"
my fathers daughter" shs replied,
with an odd accent of pride In her
choking voice, "but have been afraid,
and--and | am STILL
"Of what? Surely, not that those
fellows will ever catch up with us?"
NO l hardly know what, only there
is dread | cannot seem to shake of,
as II some evil impended, the coming
| of which ] can feel, but not see Have
you ever experienced any such pre-
monition?"
He laughed, withdrawing his hand.
II think not. | am far too prosaic
mortal to allow dreams to worry me.
So far have discovered sufficient
trouble in real life to keep my brain
active Even nowrI cannot forget how
hungry am"
She did not answer, comprehending
how useless 1t would be to explain,
and little ashamed Of her own III
defined fears, and thus they rode on In
silence. He did not notice that she
glanced aside at him shyly, marking
the outline of his cear-cut features.
I It was manly face, strong. alive full
| OF character, the well-shaped head
, firmly poised the broad shoulders
squared In spite OF the long night of
(, weary exertiont The depths of her
/ eyes frightened with appreciation.
~ believe your story. Mr.. Keith"
she said at last softly.
my story?" questioningly. and turn
ing instantly toward her
Yes; all that you have told me
about what happened"
ooh; had almost forgotten having
told II, but never felt any doubt but
what You would believe. don't think
could lie to you"
It was no compliment but spoken
with such evident honesty that her
eyes met his with frankness
= There could be no necessity; only
wanted YOU to know that trust
you, and am grateful
She extended her hand this time,
and he took It within his own, holding
It firmly. yet without knowing what
to answer. There was strong impulse
! within him to question her, to learn
then and there her own life story. Yet,
, somehow, the retscence of the girl
restrained him: he could not deliber-
ateIy probe beneath the veil she kept
lowered between them. Until she
chose to lift It herself voluntarily, he
possessed no right to intrude, The
, genuemaaly instincts Of younger
years ,held him silent, realizing clear
, ly that whatever secret might domi-
, nate her life, 1t was hers to conceal
! just so long as she pleased Out OF
! this swift struggle OF repression he
managed to say:
4 appreciate your confidence, and
+ mean to prove worthy. Perhaps some
!. day can bring you the proofs"
Il need none other than your own
word"
"Oh, but possibly you are too easily
convinced; you believed in Hawley."n
! She looked at him searchingly, her
/ eyes glowing, her cheeks flushed.
Yes she said slowly, convincing
~ i Know did; III was so anx-
ious to be helped, but-but this is dir
1 ferent.'
1t was noon, the sun pitiless and hot
above them, before they struggled
within the partial shelter OF the sand
, dunes, and sank YEARLY down to their
meager lunch. Their supply OF water
was limited, and the exhausted ponies
must wait until they reached the river
to quench their thirst. Yet this was
very far off now and Keith had seen
enough Of their surroundings 10 locate
the position of the ford. Slow as they
must proceed. three hours more would
surely bring them to the hank OF the
stream. They discussed their nlans
briefly as the three sat together ON
the warm sand. revived both nv the
food and the brief rest There was
not great deal IN he datsrm;ned
only where the cir, sbouJd bs Ian ana
how the two men had halter nrocaed
to escape observation