Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-08-19
CHAPTER xVl-Contlnued.

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.
nent 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 Is minutes. He'll catch
It"
The train SOUTH"
Yes, and the train north They
pass here"
Mr.. Black turned startled eye
upon the guide. But Reuther's face
was still aIisht 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
II before she saw him again.
But Mr.. Blacks thoughts we're less
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 fed, 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
md 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 Mr.. Black
took to be a Shelby detective nodded
as they met and remarked, with
quick glance at Reuther:
SO you've come without him, I'm |
sorry for that was in hopes that |
might be spared the long ride up the !
mountain"
Mr., Black limited his answer to one
OF his sour smiles.
Whose horse is this'" came IN per
emptory demand from the other man.
with nod toward the animal which
could now be seen Idly grazing by the
wayside. And how came 1t on the
road alone"
We can only give you these facts"
Tetotned the lawyer. 1T came from
Tempest lodge 1t 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"
Mr. Black"
VI am telling you the absolute truth
Make what you will OF it. His father
desires him home, and sent a mes
sage. This message this young lady
to deliver. and she did de-
diver II, with the consequences have
mentioned II you doubt me take
your ride 1t is not an easy one. and
SAC Ohls H46u icilsAAAAAtIS a. me huge
is deaf as post"
Mr.. Black has told the whole
story" averred the guide.
They looked at Reuther.
Il have nothing to add" said she.
Il have been terrified lest the gentle
man you wish to see was thrown from
the horses back over the precipice.
But perhaps he found some way OF
getting down on foot. lie Is a very
strong and daring man"
The tree" calculated the detec-
lives companion. He was from
neishboring locality and remembered
This one natural ladder up the side OF
The gully.
Yes, the tree" acknowledged Mr..
Sloan. That, or q fall Let US hope ,
L was not a fall"
AS he ceased long screech from an
locomotive woke up the
echoes OF the forest. Ii was answered
by another from the opposite direction
Both trains we're on time. The relief
'eit by Reuther could not be con-
sealed The detective noticed IT.
I'm wasting time here" said be.
Excuse me. Mr.. Black. II push on
ahead of you II We don't meet at )
he station, we shall meet in Shelby"
Mr.. Blacks mouth twisted grimly.
He had no doubt OF the latter fact.
Next minute they we're all cantering
N the one direction, the detective very
much in the advance.
Let me go with you to the station"
sntreated Reuther, as Mr.. Black held
~ his arms to lift her from her horse {
Il the door of the hotel IL
But his refusal was peremptory. '
TIL be back In Just 1--WE minutes" said
he. And without waiting for a second .
pleading look. he lifted her gently on '
md carried her In.
When be returned, as he did In the Z
fine specified. he had but one word I
or her. c
Gone said he. 4
Thank God!- she murmured with {
mile ~
Not having . smile to add TO hers. Z
he lawyer withdrew. N
OLIVE vas sone-but gone north !