Eastern Colorado times., 1913-08-21

with her in this trouble, still the man
could but be conscious of those bar
riers formerly existing between them
which this discovery had instantly
swept away. Now they could meet
upon level. as man and woman. No
longer could rank intervene; not even
the stain of his own court-martial.
Possibly she dreamed of what was
passing In his mind, for she suddenly
lifted her eyes to his.
Shall tell you?"
mo; not now; both your explana-
tion and mine can wait" he replied
quickly 81 can stand alone now
see," and he regained his feet, sway
ing slightly with dizziness, yet smiling
down at her as he held forth hand.
Now you try it; take hold Of me un-
til you test your limbs-that was an
ugly fall you got when l shot your
pony"
She Strengthened slowly, her cheeks
flushing in the keen air, her eyes
striving to smile back in response to
his challenge
That was nothing" she protested.
tramping about. Il only went down
into the snow, but my arms were
bound. and the pony fell on my foot
1t feels quite natural now"
Good. We shall have to tramp a
little way. In which direction did Du-
pont go?"
Across the ridge there; see. that
Is his trail"
Then he rever saw our horses out
| l.,
luck. at least. The 3ooner we get to
them the better. | have been guilty of
enough foolishness today to Ce careful
hereafter" He looked across at
Fughes body. II wonder If that fel
low meant to hit me: never trust
ed him much, but didn't expect that
| Did you see him fire?"
Yes, but it was SO sudden | could
not even cry out. He was upon one
knee. and his revolver waved like this
as he tried to aim. Dupont saw 1t.
and jumped just as he pulled the trig
ger"
the wrong man"
why? Were these two enemies ?"
They had been partners, stealing
and running cattle. Dupont had cheat
ed Hughes out of his share, and there
was bad blood between them. l ran
across the fellow up ON the Cimarron.
waiting for Dupont to come back to
his old range. Did you ever hear Du-
pont called by any other name?"
She shook her head questioningly.
mo: wasn't that his real name?
The woman back there-wasnt she
his wife,"
name was not Dupont. That was as
sumed: the correct one was lie
Fevre"
lie Fevre! Why-why, wasn't
that the name of the man you told me
about once?-the officer who brought
you those orders?"
''He is the same. l did not know
him ct Dodge; not until Hughes told
me. He had changed greatly in ap-
pearance, and | only saw him at night.
But it was because I knew that
failed to kill him here; | wanted him
alive, so | could compel him to tell
the truth"
She gave little sob, her hands
CldSpeu toselHeT. ne man voice
softened. and he took step nearer,
bending above her.
And yet now | do not care quite as
much as | did"
She looked up quickly into his face,
and as swiftly lowered her lashes.
You mean you have found other
evidence?"
NO. but | have found you. dear.
You need not try, for am not going
to let you get away. 1t is not the Off
GERS daughter and the enlisted man
any more. Those barriers are all
gone. do not mean that am indif-
ferent to the stain on my name. or any
less desirous of wringing the truth
from Gene lie Fevre's lips. but even
the memory Of that past can keep me
silent no longer. You are alone in the
world now. alone and in the shadow of
disgrace-you need me-"
He stopped, amazed at the boldness
Of his own words, and. in the silence
of that hesitation. Molly lifted her
eyes to his face
Il think have always needed you,"
she said simply.
He did not touch her, except to clasp
the extended hands. The loneliness
Of the girl. here. helpless, alone with
him in that wilderness of snow, bore