Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-08
coeSRpsu 1872 ev A.c.wciUeo a Co

| 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 "A level. az 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?"
| No: not now both your explana-
tion and mine can wait" he replied
quickly. Il can stand alone now
see." and he regained his feet. sway
ing slightly with dizziness, yet smiling
down at her as he held forth a hand.
Now you try II: take hold OF me un-
I'll you test your limbs-that was an
ugly fall you got when 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 Il only went down
into the snow. but my arms were
bound and the pony fell on my foot
1t feels quite natural now
Good We shall have to tramp
little way In which direction did Du.
pont go7''
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 Yoolishpess today to be careful
hereafter" lie looked across at
| hughes body. Il wonder II that fel-
low meant to hit me? never trust
ed him much. but didn't expect that.
Did you see him fire."
| Yes. but II was so sudden | could
not even cry out, He was upon ons
knee. and his revolver waved like this
as he tried to aim. Dupont saw II.
and jumped Just al he pulled the trig-
| GER
Il thought so. The poor devil got
the wrong man.
| why? Were these two enemies ?'
They had been partners. stealing
and running cattle. Dupont had cheat
ed Hughes out OF his share. and there
was bad blood between them 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
NO: wasn't that his real name,
The woman back there-wasnt 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 orders7"
''He Ia the same. | did not know
him at Dodge: not until Hughes told
me He had changed greatly in ap-
pcarance. and only saw him at night
But 1t was because I knew that
failed to kill him here; wanted him
alive. so | could compel him To tell
the truth"
She gave n little sob. her hands
clasped together. The mans voice
softened. and he took step nearer
bending above her.
And yet now | do not care quite as
much as | did"
She looked up quickly into his face
and as swiftly lowered her lashes.
You mean you have found other
es.dence7"
mo, but have found you. dear
You need not try. for | am not going
to let you get away. II is not the oiii.
GERS daughter and the enlisted man
any more Those barriers are all
gone. ] do not mean that I am indif
ferent TO the stain on my name. or any
less desirous OF wringing the truth
from Gene Lee 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
dsgrace-you need me"
lie stopped, amazed at the boldness
OF his own words. and. In the silence
OF that hesitation. Molly lifted her
eyes to his face.
Il think have always needed you, -
she said simply.
He did not touch her. except TO CLASP
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.