The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-04-30
CHAPTER xv-continued.

rough mountain road. Did not cOnH-
IDENTIFY expect to find Oliver there,
should not let you undertake this ride.
But the inquiries | have just made
lead me to hope for the best results"
What's that?"
That's the cry of a LOOM"
How awful! Do they often cry like
that?"
mot often in the nighttime.
Reuther shuddered.
Mr.. Black regarded her anxiously.
Had he done wrong to let her join him
in this strange ride?
Shall we go back and wait for
broad daylight" he asked.
mo, no. could not bear the sus-
pense of wondering whether all was
going well and the opportunity being
given you Of seeing and speaking to
him. We have taken such precautions
chosen so late Tor should | say 80
early) start-that I'm sure we have
Outwitted the man who Is so watchful
of US. But il we go back, we cannot
slip away from him again; and Oliver
will have to submit to humiliation
it Is our duty to spare him. And the
good judge, too. don't care II the
looms do cry; the night is beautiful"
And it was, had their hearts been in
tune to enjoy it. A gibbous moon had
risen, and, ineficient as it was to light
up the recesses of the forest, it IL
lumined the treetops and brought out
the difference between earth and sky.
The road. known to the horses. IL not
to themselves, extended like black
ribbon under their eyes, but the
patches of light which fell across 1t at
intervals took from it the uninter-
rupted gloom it must have otherwise
had. Mr.. Sloan, who was at once
their guide and host, promised that
dawn would be upon them before they
reached the huge gully which was the
one dangerous feature of the road.
Their guide had prophesied truly.
Heralded by that long cry of the loon,
the dawn began to reveal itself and
the everyday world of the mighty for
est was upon them with its night
mystery gone.
But not the romance of their errand.
or the anxiety which both felt as to
its fulfillment. Full sight brought full
realization. However they might seek
to cloak the fact. they could no longer
disguise from themselves that the OBJ
ject of their journey might not be ac-
ceptable to the man in hiding at Tenn
pest lodge. Reuther's faith in him was
strong, but even her courage faltered
as she thought Of the disgrace await
ing him whatever the circumstances
or however he might look upon his
fathers imperative command to re-
turn.
But she did not draw rein, and the
three continued to ride up and on.
seen to turn his head sharply. and in
another moment his two companions
heard him say:
I'VE are followed. Ride on and leave
me to take look"
Instinctively they also glanced back
before obeying. They were just round
Ing the top of an abrupt hill. and ex-
pected to have an uninterrupted view
of the road behind. But the masses
of foliage were as yet too thick for
them to see much but the autumnal
red and yellow spread out below them
Il hear them; do not see them"
remarked their guide. Two horses
are approaching"
How far are we now from the
lodge?"
"A half-hour's ride. We are just at
the opening of the gully"
''You will join us soon?"
"As quickly as | make out who are
on the horses behind u.s."
Reuther and the lawyer rode on.
Her cheeks had gained slight flush,
but otherwise she looked unmoved. He
was less at ease than she; for he had
less to sustain him.
The gully. when they came to it,
proved to be formidable one. II was
not only deep but PERCEPTIONS, and for
the two miles they rode along it's edge
they saw no let-up in the steepness on
one side or of the almost equally
abrupt rise of towering rock on the
other. 1t was Reuther's first experi.
ence Of so precipitous climb, and I'M
der other circumstances she might
have been timid; but in her present
heroic mood, it was all part of her
great adventure, and as such accepted.
The lawyer eyed her with growing
admiration. He had not miscalculated
her pluck.
AS they were making a turn to gain
the summit. they heard Mr.. Sloan's
voice behind them. Drawing in their
horses. they greeted him eagerly when
he appeared.
Were you right? Are we followed ?"
That's as may be. didn't hear or
see anything more. l waited, but moth
Ing happened. so came on"
His words were surly and his looks
sour; they. therefore. forbore to ques-