Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-05-08
CHAPTER xxxll.
Words Of Love.

knowing what to say that would com.
fort or help. He had never suspected
this, and yet he could not refrain al
together from experiencing a feeling
OF relief Deeply as he sympathized
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.
ton and mine can walt" he replied
quickly. II 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 1t: take hold of me un.
til you test your nmbs-that was an
ugly fall you got when I 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. II only went down
into the snow, but my arms were
bound, and the pony fell on my foot
it feels quite natural now"
Good. We shall have to tramp q
little way. In which direction did Du.
pont got"
ACROSS the ridge there; see, that
is his trail.'
"Then he never saw our horses out
yonder. That is one piece Of good
luck. at least. The sooner we get to
them the better. have been guilty Of
enough foolishness today to be careful
hereafter" He looked across at
Hughes body. Il wonder If that fel.
low meant to hit me? I never trust
ed him much. but didn't expect that.
Did you see him flre?'
eyes, but it was so sudden I could
not even cry out. He was upon one
knee, and his revolver waved like this
as he tried to aim. Dupont saw It,
and jumped just as he pulled the trig-
ger"
Il thought so. The poor devil got
the wrong man."
why? We're these two enemies p"
"They had been partners. stealing
and running cattle. Dupont had cheat
led 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-wasn't She
his wife,"
"She was his wife. yes; but their
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 at Dodge; not until Hughes told
me. He had changed greatly in ap-
pearance. and only saw him at night.
But 1t was because / knew that I
tailed to kill him here; wanted him
alive. SO l could compel him to ten
the truth
She gave q little sob, her hands
clasped together The mans voice
softened, and he took q step nearer.
bending above her.
And yet now do not care quite az
much as did"
She looked up quickly into his face,
and as swiftly lowered her lashes.
"You mean you have found other
evidence?"
mo, but I have found you, dear
You need not try, for am not going
to let you get away. 1t is not the OH.
GERS daughter and the enlisted man
any more. Those barriers are all
gone. l do not mean that am indif
ferent to the stain on my name, or any
less DESTROYS 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 hel
eyes to his face.
II think have always needed you.
she said simply.
He did not touch her. except to clasI
the extended hands. The loneliness
of the girl. here, helpless, alone with
him in that wilderness Of snow, bore
in upon his consciousness with a sud
denness that robbed him Of all sense
of triumph. He had spoken passion
ately. recklesslh inspired by hel
nearness, her dependence upon him
He had faith that she cared; her eyes
her manner had told him this. ye1