Williams news., 1915-08-19
CHAPTER xVl-Continued.

He was pointing again. but in very different direction now. AS her anx- tous eye sought the place he indicated, her face flushed crimson with evanes- cent joy. Just where the open ground of the gully melted again into the for est, the figure of man could be seen moving very quickly. In another mo- ment it had disappeared amid the foliage.
 Straight for the station" an nounced Mr. Sloan; and, taking out his watch. added quickly; "the train is not due for 15 minutes. He'll catch it"
 The train south?"
 "Yes, and the train north. They pass here"
 MT. Black turned a startled eye upon the guide. But Reuther's face was still alight She felt very happy. Their journey had not been for naught. He would have six hours start of his pursuers; he would be that much sooner in Shelby; he would hear the accusation against him and refute 1t before she saw him again.
 ooS XhA. oldCh luOu6uI5 WCl O ASoo pleasing than hers. He had never had more than passing hope of Divers innocence and now he had none at all. The young man had fled, not in response to his fathers telegram. but under the impulse of his own fears. They would not find him in Shelby when they returned. They might never find him anywhere again. A pretty story to carry back to the judge.
 AS he dwelt upon this thought his reflections grew more and more gloomy, and he had little to say till he reached the turn where the two men still awaited them.
 In the encounter which followed no attempt was made by either party to disguise the nature of the business which thus had brought them to- gether. The man whom MT. Black took to be a Shelby detective nodded as they met and remarked. with a quick glance at Reuther:
 So you've come without him! Pm sorry for that. I was in hopes that l might be spared the long ride up the mountain"
 MT. Black limited his answer to one of his sour smiles.
 Whose horse is this?" came in per. emptory demand from the other man, with a nod toward the animal which could now be seen idly grazing by the wayside. And how came it on the road alone?"
 We can only give you these facts, ' rejoined the lawyer. Tt came from Tempest lodge. It started out ahead of us with the gentleman we had gone to visit on its back. We did not pass the gentleman on the road, and if he has not passed you he must have left the road somewhere on foot He did not go back to the lodge"
 MT. Black"
 T am telling you the absolute truth Make what you will of 1t. His father desires him home. and sent a mes sage. This message this young lady undertook to deliver. and she did de liver 1t, with the consequences I have mentioned. If you doubt me take your ride. It is not an easy one, anc the only man remaining at ths lodg, is deaf as a post"
 MT. Black has told the whol, story" averred the guide.
 They looked at Reuther.
 "I have nothing to add," said she '1 have been terrified lest the gentle man you wish to see was thrown iron the horses back over the precipice But perhaps he found some way O getting down on foot. He is a yer, strong and daring man."
 "The tree!" calculated the detec tive's companion. He was from ; this one natural ladder up the side O the gully.
 "Yes, the tree" acknowledged MT Sloan. That, or a fall. Let us hon, it was not fall"
 As he ceased long screech from a1 approaching locomotive woke up tn, echoes of the forest. It was answered by another from the opposite direction Both trains were on time. The relic felt by Reuther could not be con cealed. The detective noticed it.
 I'm wasting time here," said he Excuse me. MT. Black, if I push O,
 
 the station, we shall meet in Shelby.
 MT. Blacks mouth twisted grimly He had no doubt of the latter fact.
 Next minute they were all canterin, in the one direction, the detective yer, much in the advance.
 Let me go with you to the station, entreated Reuther. as MT. Black helt up his arms to lift her from her hors, at the door of the hotel.
 But his refusal was peremptury "Tll be back in just five minutes" sai' he. And without waiting for a secon, pleading look, be lifted her gently of and carried her in.
 When he returned, as he did in tn, time specified, he had but one wort for her.
 Gone" said he.
 Thank God!" she murmured with smile.