Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-10-30

Yes" she said, and their eyes met,
Ihere Is nothing to conceal-from
you"
de told his tale simply, and in few
words; how he had missed, and sought
AFTER her In Dodge: how that search
ing had led directly to the discovery
OF crime. and finally the revealment
Of Major McDonald's body. He told
OF his Efforts at organizing a party to
follow the fugitives. inspired by be-
iief that she was a prisoner. OF the
trip through the blizzard, and OF how
ne had succeeded In outstripping Du-
pont In the race.
The girl listened silently. able from
ner own experience to I'LL in the de-
tails of that relentless pursuit. which
could not be halted either by storm
or bullets, The strength, the deter
mination Of the man, appealed to her
with new force. and tears welled into
her eyes.
Why, you are crying!" he ex.
claimed in surprise.
That is nothing" her lips smiling,
as she loosened one hand from the
blanket and reached across to clasp
his. "You must know, dear, how hap
py ! am to have found you. No one
else could have done this"
"Oh, yes. little girl" soberly. WAS
son would have gone on. IL had been
the one to go down. The hardest part
of 1t all was waiting for the storm to
cease, not knowing where you were
hidden-that nearly drove me insane"
Il understand; uncertainty is harder
to bear than anything else. Shall |
tell you now. what happened to me?"
Yes tenderly. "as much. or as lit
tie as you please"
Then 1t shall be everything DEAR"
her hand-clasp Tightening. A moment
she hesitated, looking out across the
snow plains. and then back into his
eyes. From their expression she
gained courage to proceed. her voice
low. yet clear enough to make every
syllable distinctly audible.
II was frightened when you left
me alone on the balcony. and went In
W NShhAOhb nalb DuROnI. \ huCW tnc
woman and suspected that she would
only be too glad to find some lndiscre-
ton she could use against me. 1t
occurred to me that possibly abe had
seen me enter the parlor and was
there herself to make sure. II so, she
would hesitate at no trick TO verify
her suspicious. This thought 10 took
possession of me that I determined
to escape II possible. And 1t appeared
easy of accomplishment. There was
but a short drop to the ground. while
few steps around the end Of the
hotel would bring me safely to the
front entrance. The temptation to
TRY was irresistible. heard your
voices within and thought understood
her game. It was dark below, yet
knew how close the earth was, and
there was no sign of any one about.
clambered over the railing, let N.Y.
self down as far as / could, and Drop
ped. The slight fall did NOT even Jar
me, yet / was none too soon. As |
crouched there in the darkness, she
flung open the curtains, and looked
out to the vacant balcony. saw the
fash of light, and heard her laugh
It was not pleasant laughter; for she
was disappointed not to find me there.
After the curtains fell again / could
no longer hear your voices, and my
sole desire was to get back into the
hotel unobserved. / was not afraid,
only dreaded to meet any one who
might recognize me-"
She paused In her recital, as though
to recall more clearly the exact facts.
THE guests were already beginning
to straggle back to the dance hall
from supper. and waited In the shad.
ow Of the building for an opportunity
to slip into the hotel unobservsd
While I hid there q cavalry soldier
from the fort rode up. swung down
from his saddle, and ran up the stsps
heard him ask for Major Mcdonald
Almost Immediately he came out again
ard passed him on the porch. Just
inside the door ! met my father. He
was leaving the hotel with Dupont
and the latter swore savagely When
I caught my fathers arm. asking wha,
message the orderly had brought. He
answered strangely. saying he had
received orders to 60 at once to Ripley
on the stage; that he might be gone
several days. There was nothing
about all that to startle q soldiers
daughter, but Dupont kept his hand
on my fathers arm. urging him tc
hurry. The actions of the man aroused
my suspicious. knew my father was
acting paymaster, and I could perceive
the outlines of leather bag bulg1ns
beneath his overcoat II this contained
money. then | grasped Duponts pur
pose My plan Of action occurred tC
me In a flash--I would accompany
him until--until he was safely In the
stage, and find opportunity to whisper
warning. remember asking him Il
wait a moment for me, and rushing Il
the cloak room after my coat. Blu
when I returned they we're gone.
ran out into the street, but they were
not to be seen; they had not gon'
toward the stage office. for the light
revealed that distance clearly. ant
they had had no time in which Il
disappear within. With the on
thought that Dupont had lured m!
father cut of sight for purposes o
robbery, started to run down tn
little alley-way next the hotel ] know
now how foolish was. but then
was reckless. II was dark and ! say
and heard nothing to warn me of dan
ger. 1t was In my mind that m.
father had been lured on to the opel
prairie behind the hotel Suddenl,
I was seized roughly. and clotl
whipped over my face before ! coul'
even scream. heard q voice say
Damned II 1t amt the girl! Whs
will we do with herr and then Du
points voice answered gruffiy: Hell
there amt anything to DO. but TAX
the little hussy along. Shed quee
Il