The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-01-02

dicr had come homo from the wars
Sweetheart" the deep voice falter
ing, "may-may I kiss your"
"Of course you may"
Their lips met, and she clung to him
as his arms held her closely. 1t was
like a dream to him, this sudden, un.
expected surrender. Perhaps she read
this in his eyes.
DO not misunderstand me-" she
urged softly. Il do not come to you
because Of what has happened. be.
cause l am alone and helpless. II you
had stepped from the ranks that night
at Dodge, l would have answered even
as l do now"
You love me?-love me7" he re-
peated.
Yes"
Even as he looked down upon her
upturned face, there was borne back
upon him a realization OF their pre-
dicament. His eyes swept w the
surrounding %desolation, tho two dead
bodies lying motionless in the snow,
the %stiffening pony, the drear hillside
which shut them in. The sight brought
him back to consciousness with a
shock. Minutes might mean much
now. Dupont had disappeared ovei
that ridge to the right. In the direction
OF Black Kettles camp. How far
away that might be was altogether
guess work, yet what would inevitably
occur when the fugitive arrived among
his friends, and told his story, could
be clearly conceived. Even il the
man believed Hamlin killed. he would
recall to mind the girl. and would re.
turn to assure himself az to her fate,
knowing her helplessness, the practi.
cal impossibility Of her escape alone,
a return expedition might not be hur
ried yet, beyond doubt, this isolated
valley would have In dian visitors with.
In a few hours. And when these dis.
covered the truth they would be not
upon a trail where concealment was
impossible. The only hope Of escape,
and that far from brilliant-as he re
membered the long desert ride from
the distant COW camp on the Cimarron
lay In Immediate departure. Every
moment of dciay served to increase
their peril. Even beyond the danger
OF Dupont's report to Black Kettle.
this snow-bound valley was not so far
away from that chiefs camp as to be
safe from invasion by young warriors
In search of game. All this flashed
upon Hamlin's consciousness instant.
", even as his heart thrilled to her
frank avowal.
This is SC strange I can hardly
realize the TRUTH" he said gravely.
But, dear one, WI must talk else.
where, and not here. Life was never
before worth 80 much as It is now,
and every instant we waste here may
mean capture and death. Come. there
are two ponies at the mouth OF the
valley"
He snatched up the blanket from
the ground. and wrapped it about her
In such manner al to enable her to
walk; stopped over Hughes, loosened
the revolver from his stifened fingers,
and then came back to where she
waited.
you a walk? It is not far"
Yes. the numbness Is all gone"
He was all seriousness now. alert
and watchful. the plainsman and the
soldier.
Then come; I'll break trail"
Where Is the Indian village" she
asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Beyond those bluffs. at least
Hughes thought SO. We saw their
pony herd in the valley below, mere
dots against the snow"
Ten minutes later. blowing through
the intervening drifts. they came forth
to the broad vista Of the valley and
the two patient ponies standing mo
tionless.
(TO BE coNrINUED)