Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-01-09
coeyR,onr 1919 ev A.c.ncluRo & CO

WRIGHT 1912 BY A.c.neciURG & CO
it to maintain balance. scarcely ven
turing forward loot at time Once
he stumbled over some obstruction,
barely averting fall; he felt the
swift clutch of her fingers at his
throat, the quick adjustment of her
body, but her lips gave no utterance
of alarm. His creeping feet touched
the edge of a hole, and he turned, fac
ing the current, tracing his way care
fully until he found a passage on solid
bottom. A bit of driftwood swirled
down out OF the night; water-soaked
limb. striking against him before it
was even seen, bruised one arm, and
then lodged past like a wild thing,
leaving a glitter of foam behind. The
sand-dunes grew darker, more dis
tinct, the water began to grow shall
low, the bottom changing from mud to
sand. He slipped and staggered in
the uncertain footing, his breath COM
ing in quicker gasps, yet with no cess
alton of effort Once he felt the dread
ed suck about his ankles, and broke
into reckless run, splashing straight
forward, falling at the waters edge,
yet not before the girl was resting
safely ON the soft sand.
Strong as Hamlin was, his muscles
trained by strenuous outdoor life, he
lay there for q moment utterly help
less, more exhausted from the nervous
strain indeed. than the physical exer-
ton. He had realized fully the des-
parasite nature of that psssage. expect
| Ing every step to be engulfed, and the
| reaction, the knowledge that they had
actually attained the shore safely, left
him weak as "a child. hardly able to
comprehend the fact. The girl was
upon her feet first. alarmed and So
licitous. banding down to touch him
with her hand.
Sergeant, you are not huft7" she
questioned. Tell me you are not
hurt?"
ooh, no." dragging himself up the
bank, yet painting ~ he endeavored
to speak cheerfully. ''Only that was
rather hard pull, the last Of it, and l
am short of breath. I shall be all
i right in moment"
There was sand-duAe just beyond
and he seated himself and leaned
against it.
81 am beginning to breathe easier
already" he explained. "Sit down
here, Miss Mcdonald. We are safe
enough now in this darkness"
You are an wet, soaking wet"
THAT is nothing; the sand is warm
yet from yesterdays sun, and my
clothes will dry fast enough It is be.
ginning to grow light In the east"
The faces of both turned in that di.
light approach of dawn. Already
were visible the dark lines OF the op.
posite shore, across the CLEAN of wa.
ter. and beyond appeared the dim out
line of the higher bluffs. The slope be.
tween river and hill, however. re-
manned in impenetrablc darkness. The
minds OF both ftgitives reverted to
the same scene-ths wrecked stage
with ito dead passengers within. it's
savage watchers without. She lifted
her head, ), and the soft light, reflected
on her face.
| II thank COD we are not over
there now" she said falteringly.
Yes" he admitted. They will be
creeping in closer; they will not wait
much longer. Hard al have worked,
can't realise yet that we are out Of
those tolls"
You did not expect to succeed?"
No; frankly l did not; all could
DO was hOpe-taks the one chance
left. The slightest accident meant be-
trayal. am ashamed OF being 20
weak just now. but it WAS the strain.
You Sec" he explained carefully, I've
ksen scouting through hostile Indian
country mostly day and night 1or near
" = wssk, and then this thing hap
peaaA. No matter how iron man ID
his nsrys GOES hack ON him sftse .
whiaa."
Il know."
1T wasA't myself." ~ went On Dog
gsdiy. S0tr 1T ASs 4 tint, ksio WfSAxs OF
having to take care OF you. That was
What made me worry; tAat, md know
tAE sinsae niastep, the slightest
lneles. would bring those dsviis on us.
whsss ooaldn't hsht. WHARF thsrs
Was just one thing / could do"
There was silence, her hands
pressed to her face, her eyes h1ed on
him. Then she questioned him soberly.
You mean. kill met"
Sure" he answered simply, with.
out looking around; Il would have had
to do it--just ~ though you were q
sister of miae."
| Her hands reached out and clasped
his, and he glanced aside at her face
seeing it clearly.
Il thought you would" she said
her voice trembling. IL was going
to ask you once before / was hurt
but-but | couldn't. and somehow
trusted you from the first, when you
got in" She hesitated, and then
asked. "HOW did ynu Lnov 7 was