The Republican journal., 1914-04-16
CHAPTER XII

The stream had fallen much during the
night and left margin of slippery ledge
on each side, which permitted the refu-
gees to advance easier and drler than
thew had done the previous day. There
were pools lively with flashing fms and
silvery CLEANS of imprisoned tlsh, winch
were revealed by the torches the men
carried to illuminate the treacherous way,
and every turn of the passage sparkleo
with gems of Natures alchemy OF met
ais among the shining quartz. )
Creeping, slipping, stumbling ane
Jumping along, assisting each otner anu
merry over mishaps, they arrived safe at
the furnished cave and took possession
of it's ample space and creature comforts
by right of discovery and force OF num-
bers. Dyer made fire IN the stone nre-
place from pile OF wood against the
wall, placed lighted candles around the
walls, and the ladies dried their feet ana
clothes. Then he and Chapman Went TO
the end of the tunnel to investigate the
condition of the outer world and the cal
critic intensity of the sun. Great tedges,
deep MOSES, tangled vines and masses
of ferns and bushes obscured the en-
trance, but they struggled through IL IN
to the surrounding forest of flr. spruce,
pine and oak and climbed spur OF the
mountain to get view into the SCUM
valley. The Clubhouse was not visible ;
the cleared fields far away presented the
yellow-gray tints of autumn, ana SICK
". tawny mist filled the ravlnes. >,
81 believe the worst Is past, salo
Chapman, taking long inspiration; the
sun has lost its intensity OF yesterday;
see a few birds fitting among the shrlv-
elled foliage"
"Bully for US, old man! We will return
to the land of the living again; although
it may be the land of the dead. Wna'
do you think, Doctor?"
saThe vegetation beneath the trees IL
yellow and withered, but not burned.
The leaves of the deciduous trees are
scar and curled, as though cloud OF
beetles had devoured their chlorophy
and left only fbrous skeletons. Thus
the storms of Sahara, the fatal sirrocct
winds of the desert, blast in a few hours
the vegetation of an oasis. But camels
and Arabs live through them, and We
may hope our friends, tho exposed ant
stricken, still survive
81 am glad that you think thus, but
fear for them. Is it safe for US to g
home today?'
81 think it would be unwise to attemp
it. It is long distance to the city ant
probably we must walk. 1t is two O'CLOCK
now: we had better remain shelteret
until tomorrow.
eyes, l agree with you. BY Jove
Doctor, here are some wild grapes, drle'
somewhat, but still palatable:
''Sure enough; the mountain shadow
have protected them.
They filled some mullen leaves with tn
fruit, climbed into the obscure portal
the cave, and marched back to the den
Mrs. Dyer related to Wendell, durln!
her husbands absence, strange atfal
concerning Mary, commencing by sayin'
in low tones, "How we'll Mary keeps VI
after her trying experience night betor'
last
'What do you mean? What trying
experienced"
Ibid she not tell your
''Not word"
why, her forced ride with Ham
bright" ,;xou
Wendell, shocked and angered.
Eyes, against her wish and will Pei
haps ought not to tell you.
~ am amazed. Indeed! you must.
cannot endure the suspense of your S
lence now.
"Weli, sit closer Mary was return
ing late from school, when Hambrlgh
overlook her in his auto and asked he
to ride home, She felt she was unde
obligation to him. She did not like t
refuse and increase his ill-Wlll, cause
bv some secret financial deals, and go
into the tonneau much against her Judg
ment, He was suave and courteous,
way he has when he wants favors, 20
know, and said, when they arrived
the forks of the road where the Lothian
street led to her home and the right t
the river, Let US take spin along tn
river bank and enjoy the evening breeze
and, although she grasped MS arm an
protested, he put on full speed and dash
ed along the rivers brink. There wer
other autos passing. Mary was merel
ANNOYED at his action, but felt no alarm
As they sped along in the cool shadow
of the trees, he slowed down and be
came sentimental, repeating Tennyson
Brook. You remember its sweetness:
I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
slide by hazel covers;
| move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers etc."
'.The william! playing the lover and hi
sick, neglected wife alone at home" in
terrupted Wendell savagely.
MARY enjoyed her freedom from car
and the sweet serenity of the vale
scenery, and resigned herself to shor
ride. Hambright talked much of tn
great development of the Cornucopi
mine and Of the increased value of it
shares, and endeavored to get her con
sent to exchange her five thousand Or
bonds for the mining shares, assertin
that the price was now so low, to max
the deal would give her twenty per cen
increase instead of the paltry five fror
the bonds. She told him bonds wer
safer than stock and she would not dis
turb her inv cstment without other ad
vice"
''The scoundrel! Trying to escape hi
own liabilities by running her!" ex
claimed Wendell through his teeth.
''They arrived at the end Of the boule
ward, and, instead of turning back, h
steered quickly into the road that run
around the Golf Grounds and along tn
base of the mountains back to the city
remarking, we will find the roa'
through the forest delightful.
"Mary expostulated strongly ant
begged him to take her home, but h
only laughed and increased the speed O.
the machine. -
Course him! He shall pay dearly TO-
LII -