The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-02-27
CHAPTER XXI.
Words of Love.

Words of Love.
Hamlin was silent for a moment. not
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 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 a 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?"
"No; not now; both your e1plana
ton 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 hand.
"Now you try it; take hold Of me I'm.
til you test your limbs-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 a
little way. In which direction did Du
pont go?"
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 tc
them the better. have been guilty OF
enough foolishness today to be careful
hereafter" He looked across at
Hughes body. II wonder If that fel.
low meant to hit me? I never trust.
ed him much, but didn't expect that.
Did you see him fire."
Eyes, but it was 80 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"
II 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. I 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
hie 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. 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 it was because knew that Il
failed to kill him here; / wanted him
alive, so 1 could compel him to ten
the TRUTH"
She gave 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
evidence?"
'No, but l have found you, dear.
You need not try, for I am not going
to let you get away. 1t is not the ON
GERS daughter and the enlisted man
any more. Those barriers are an