Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

And knife us in the back when We
sleep! No. no. You have kicked and
cuffed us for the last time
Bruce picked up one of the rifles and
drew Kathlyn further into the cave.
"Get behind me and crouch low.
They'll come around to US presently"
The rascals gave the rope a savage
pull, and from where he stood Bruce
furious tiger leap to freedom.
Keep your eyes shut. 1t will not
be pleasant thing to look at" he
warned the girl.
But Kathlyn could not have closed
her eyes if she had tried She saw
the brute pause, turn, and strike at
the helpless man at the wheel, then
lope off, doubtless having in mind to
test his freedom before he fed.
The remaining brigands rushed out
and gathered up the bags of rupees.
This was the opportunity for which
Bruce had waited.
Come There may be some outlet
to this cave Here is another rifle. Let
US cut for it. When thieves fall out;
you know the old saying
They ran back several yards and dis
covered a kind of chasm leading dag
onally upward
Thank God! We oan get out of this
after all Are you strong enough for a
stiff climb?"
I've got to be-John"'
Trust me, Kathlyn,'' he replied, sim
ply. He had but one life. but he de-
termined then and there to make it
squal or outlast the six lives which
stood between him and liberty.
The brigands. having succeeded in
their prisoners, only to find that they
had vanished. Familiar with the cave
and its outlet, they started eagerly in
pursuit. They reasoned that if an old
man was worth three bags of rupees,
two young people might naturally be
worth twice as much. And besides,
being tigers, they had tasted blood.
x X
A shout caused Bruce to turn. In
stantly he raised his rifle, and pulled
the trigger. The result was merely
snap. The gun had not been loaded.
He snatched Kathlyn's rife, but this,
too, was useless. The brigands yelled
exultantly and began to swarm up the
ragged cliff. Bruce flung aside the gun
and turned his attention to a bowlder.
Half way up the chasm had a width
which was little broader than the
shoulders of an ordinary man. He
within a yard or so of this spot,
then pushed this bowlder. 1t reared
and crashed and bounded, and be-
fore it reached the narrow path
way Bruce had started a mate to it.
Then a third followed. This caused a
terrific slide of rocks and powders,
That will be about all for the pres
emit" said Bruce, wiping his forehead
Now if we can make that village we
shall be all right. Bala Khan's men
will not leave with the camels till they
learn whether we are dead or alive. 1t
will be hard trek Miss Kathlyn. Ten
over turf. I don't think well see any
more of those ruffians"
"Kathlyn." she said.
"Well-Kathlyn!"
"Or, better STILL at home they call me
Kit
They smiled into each others eyes,
" youth discards its burdens!
X
That he did not take her into his
arms at once proved the caIiber of the
man. And kathlyn respected him none
the less for his control. She knew
now, and she was certain that her eyes
had told him as frankly as any words
would have done; and she fell into his
stride, strangely embarrassed and not
a little frightened. The firm grasp of
his hand as here and there he steadied
her sent a thrill of exquisite pleasure
through her.
Love. She laughed softly; and he
stopped and eyed her in establishment
What is it,
Nothing" she answered.
But she went on with the thought
which had provoked her laughter Love.
Danger all about unseen, hidden;
misery in the foreground. and perhaps
death beyond; her father back in
chains, to face she knew not what
horrors. and yet she could pause by
the wayside and think Of love.
There was something" he insisted
That wasn't happy laughter. What
caused it?"
Some day will tell you-if we live"
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