The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-09-25

der had come home from the wars"
Sweetheart" the deep voice falter.
Ing, "may-may kiss you?"
"Of course you may"
Their lips met, and she chung to him
as his arms held her closely. 1t was
like'a dream to him, this sudden. un.
expected surrender. Perhaps she read
this In his eyes.
DO not misunderstood me-" she
urged softly. II do not come to you
because Of what has happened, be-
cause am alone and helpless. II you
had stepped from the ranks that night
at Dodge, would have answered even
as do now"
you love me?-love me?" he re.
peated.
"Yes."
Even as he looked down upon her
upturned face, there was borne back
upon him realization of their pre-
dicament. His eyes swept over the
surrounding desolation, the two dead
bodies lying motionless in the snow,
the stiffening pony, the drear hillside
which shut them in. The sight brought
him back to consciousness with q
shock. Minutes might mean much
now. Dupont had disappeared ever
that ridge to the right, in the direction
OF Black Kettles camp. How far
away that might be was altogether
guess work, yet what would inevitably
occur when the fugitive arrived among
his friends. and told his story, could
be clearly conceived. Even If the
man believed Hamlin killed, he would
recall to mind the girl, and would re.
turn to assure himself as to her fate.
Knowing her helplessness, the practi.
cal impossibility of her escape alone.
return expedition might not be '1ur-
ried yet, beyond doubt, this isolated
valley would have Indian visitors with.
IN few hours. And when these dis.
covered the truth they would be hot
upon trail where concealmeat was
impossible. The only hope of escape.
and that far from brilliant-as he re-
membered the long desert ride from
the distant cow camp on the Cimarron
lay In immediate departure. Every
moment Of delay served to Increase
their peril. Even beyond the danger
OF Dupont's report to Black Kettle,
this snow-bound valley was not so far
away from that chiefs camp ss to be
safe from invasion by young warriors
In search of game. All this flashed
upon Hamlin's consciousness instant.
1y, even as hts heart thrilled to her
frank avowal
This is so strange / can hardly
realize the TRUTH" he said gravely.
"But, dear one, we must talk else
where, and not here. Life was never
before worth SO much as it Is now,
and every instant we waste here may
mean capture and death. Come, there
are two ponies at the mouth Of the
valley
He snatched up the blanket from
the ground, and wrapped 1t about her
in such manner as to enable her to
walk; stopped over Hughes, loosened
the revolver from his stiffened fingers,
and then came back to where she
waited.
Aou SaA VAIN! IL Is 4OI ldT.
Yes, the numbness Is all gone"
He was all seriousness now, alert
and watchful, the plainsman and the
soldier.
"Then come; I'll break trail"
Where is the Indian village" sh.
asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Beyond those bluffs; at least
Hughes thought So We saw their
pony herd In the valley hslow, mere
dots against the snow"
Ten minutes later, blowing through
the intervening drifts, they came forth
to the broad vista of the valley and
the two patient ponies standing mo,
tionless.
fTO Pn c0N,wYnyrYEr