The Raymer enterprise., 1914-04-16
eepsrisA.. 1914. By Harry Irving erssns

her better than all else and that I
would sacrifice my life for her If 1t
should come to the test. Well, the
test has come and am going to her,
come what may" He started off upon
a hobble and March, struggling to his
feet. called after him:
"Clay!"
He paused and faced about, his brow
wrinkled, staring at Alan as though
at stranger. His tense face though
deeply drawn by fatigue and suffering
was no longer distorted as 1t had
been earlier in the day. but his eyes.
deeply sunken and circled by rings as
dark as though made by blows from a
fist, glowed unnaturally. Yes" he
said after moment. Il know you
now. You are March. What are you
doing here?" Alan, who had often
thought as he looked into the others
eyes that some latent disorder slum.
bered there, now knew that the man
was Enthusiastically mad Yet undoubt.
edly some reason remained, and such
as 1t was he would try and appeal to
it.
Where are you going!" he asked
quietly.
"Going?" He passed his hand swift.
ly In front Of his eyes as though to
sweep something from In front OF
them-"why, am going to get her. OF
course. Where else should | be going
at such timer" He turned as II to
start away again, but once more Alan
halted him.
DO you know II there is a way up?'
Most certainly, else how would
know where to go? l scaled 1t once
three years ago when | was hunting
sheep. There Is way, an awful way,
and nearly lost my life upon it. But
climbed it once and | shall again."
March watching him closely knew not
what to think. Mad as the other un-
doubtedly was, there was a calm con-.
viction In his manner that left the lis
tener greatly puzzled as to whether
his disordered mind but imagined the
prior feat, or whether the remnant of
his orderly intellect still remembered
1t as a fact. Be that as 1t might, he
well knew that Clay was an enthusi-
astic and daring hunter who had spent
many weeks among these cliffs, and II
was not at all improbable that be was
speaking of actualities. At any rate
it would do no harm to accompany
him. The cliff was hopeless of ascent
where they stood, and even though his
companion was laboring under delu-
sion they might stumble across some
place where they could drag them
selves up. He once more nerved him
self to physical effort and stepped for
ward, but at his first pace the face OF
the other underwent violent change.
Once more the features worked and
the mouth twitched. while his eyes
blazed like an angry Wildcats.
Halt" he commanded fiercely.
March paused. What insane fear or
hatred had suddenly taken possession
of the others twisted mind he had no
idea, therefore he must question him
quietly. ascertain. and then strive to
reason with him. He eyed him stead
lily. well, what is IT." he demanded.
II am going alone. You must re-
main behind"
March slowly shook his head. mo,
you must not say that. l may be Of
assistance to you, and is this not
matter for both of us as men?" The
question seemed to infuriate the other
beyond self control.
For both of us." he fairly yelled.
mo, 1t is matter for me alone-for
me who loves her in a way that such
as you can no more conceive than you
can conceive OF pain and agony and
weeks OF sleepless wretchedness
passed In calling aloud to her through
the endless hours Of torturlng nights.
And always you stood between US
with your silly attentions and school
boy declarations of puppy love. Yet
what did 1t gain you? Nothing but re-
fusal upon refusal She loves you not
at all and you shall not accompany
me up the path which learned at the
risk of my own life for she is mine.
promised to me by betrothal--my af-
fianced wife. II you go to her find
way of your own, but this way is mine
and mine alone.
Clay" said March sternly as he
took forward step with chin thrust
out, his heart sinking nevertheless at
the others words, 81 do not believe
you. She never promised to marry
you" In an instant the madman had
whipped out his pistol and leveled 1t
at his followers head
Fool, for the last time stand back"
Cold as death March faced him.
you are losing your head. II you
loved her as you pretend-if you were
engaged to her as you say, you would
welcome my assistance. II we rescue
her the honor shall be yours and II
she confirms your assertion ! will
never cross your paths again. But un-
til then ! yield not an inch in my right
20 60 to her. II you know a way up
that cliff | am going up 1t also, with
your permission II YOU will grant II,
without 1t II you deny me. The knowl.