Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-11-26

her better than all else and that l.
would sacrifice my life for. her II it
should come to the test. Well, the
test has come and am going to her,
come what may He started of upon
a hobble and March, struggling to his
feet, called after him: s IL.
"Clay!" 5$3
He paused and faced about, his brow
wrinkled, staring at Alan as though
at a stranger. His tense face though
deeply drawn by fatigue and suffering
was no longer distorted as it had
been earlier in the day, but his eyes,
deeply sunken and circled by rings as
dark as though made by blows from
fist, glowed unnaturally. Yes" he
said after a moment. II know you
now. You are March. What are you
doing here?'' Alan, who had often
thought as he looked into the others
eyes that some latent disorder slum-
bered there, now knew that the man
was Enthusiastically mad. Yet undoubt-
eddy some reason remained, and such
as 1t was he would try and appeal to
it.
Where are you going?" he asked
Quietly. s &. II. sz
"Going?" He passed his hand swift
ly in front of his eyes as though to
sweep something from in front Of
them-"why, am going, to get her. of
course. Where else should be going
at such timer He turned as II to
start away again, but once more Alan
halted him. 4 81 q 5s!.
do you know II there is a way up?"
Most certainly, else how would
know where to go? l scaled it once
three years ago when I was hunting
sheep. There is a way, an awful way,
and nearly lost my life upon it. But
climbed 1t once and I shall agar"
March watching him closely knew not
what to think Mad as the other I'M
doubtedly was, there was >calm con-
viction in his manner that left the lis
tener greatly puzzled as to whether
his disordered mind but imagined the
prior feat, or whether the remnant Of
his orderly intellect still remembered
1t as a fact. Be that as 1t might, he
well knew that Clay was an enthusi-
astic and daring hunter who had spent
many weeks among these cliffs. and it
was not. at all improb able that he was
speaking OF actualities. At any rate
it would do no harm to accompany
him. The cliff was hopeless Of ascent
where they stood, and even though his
companion was laboring under delu-
sion they might stumble across some
place where they could drag them.
selves up. He once more nerved him
self to physical effort and stepped for
ward, but at his first pace the face OF
the other underwent violent change.
Once more the features worked and
the mouth twitched, while his eyes
blazed like an angry wildcats.
Halt" he commanded fiercely. 81
March paused. What insane fear or
hatred had suddenly taken possession
of the others twisted mind he had no
idea, therefore he must question him
quietly, ascertain, and then strive to
reason with him. He eyed him stead
lily. well, what Is it," he demanded.
II am going alone. You must re-
main behind" ss
March slowly shook his head. "No,
you must not say that. ! may be Of,
assistance to you, and Is this not
matter for both Of us as men?" The
question seemed to infuriate the other
beyond self control. /5
For both Of us!" he fairly yelled.
mo, 1t is matter for me alone-for
me who loves her In a way that such
as you can no more conceive than you
can conceive of pain and agony and
weeks of sleepless wretchedness
passed in calling aloud to her through
the endless hours of torturing nights.
And always you stood between us
with your silly attentions and school
boy declarations Of puppy love. Yet
what did it gain you? Nothing but re-
fusal upon refusal. She loves you not
at all and you shall not accompany
me up the path which learned at the
risk Of my own life for she Is mine,,
promised to me by betrothal-my af-
fanced wife. If you 60 to her find q
way Of your own, but this way is mine
and mine alone. ~
CLAY" said March sternly as he
took forward step with chin thrust
out, his heart sinking nevertheless at
the others words, Il do not believe
you. She never, promised to marry
YOU" In an instant the mailman had
whipped out his pistol and leveled it
at his followers head
Fool, for the last time stand back"
Cold as death March faced him.
"You are losing your head. II you
loved her as you pretend-if you were
engaged to her as you say, you would
welcome my assistance. If we rescue
her the honor shall be yours and If
she confirms your assertion I will
never cross your paths again. But un-
til then yield not an inch in my right
to go to her. If you know way up
that Cliff am going up it also, with
your permission II you will grant 1t,
without it If you deny me. The knowl-
edge of certain death would not pre-
vent me from going to the last step
am able to take" He started forward
again with his eyes fixed steadily upon
the one before him, seeking to get his
hands upon him, disarm him and talk
him into a semblance of reason, but
Could Not B