The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1915-12-16
. COpj</eIC/iT
500
CHAPTER xxii-Continued.


sred unpleasant. but necessary. He
acknowledged receipt OF a communica.
ton reaching him at Ramsay's head.
quarters. apparently an application for
pardon. and n pledge to unite with the
Tederni forces, and stated that the
writer would be Mt the Minor house
near Hot Springs at n certain date,
where he would be glad to confer fur
ther regarding the matter. He agreed
TO come unattended. and suggested
that his visitor use the name OF Tay.
Tor 10 az To prevent any suspicion. The
closing paragraph referred to for
mer Misunderstanding between them
ana expressed n kindly desire to blot
nut all memory OF what had occurred
MY hands trcmbled as I read the lines.
And the girl at my side cried softly,
nor eyes so filed with tears | doubt
" she could distinguish the words
scarcely aware OF the action. l held
her with my arm. the letter crumpled
between my fingers.
IT'S all clear enough now. little
sii.' ] whispered. my voice trembling
from sympathy. Your father met his
death at the hands of a treacherous
scoundrd. II was a plot carefully con.
ceived. and now Cowan has paid the
penalty. ] am glad we have learned
the truth: but Major Harwood would
never wish you to mourn here In the
midst Of all this danger-you are lis.
teningr'
yes: ! will do just as you say"
1t will be best to go: safer. I think
Also
Her hands chung to me. but she was
no longer crying. although unshed
tears dimmed her eyes.
II thank God" she faltered. that
he sent you to me- could not bear
all this alone"
Il am glad you care to have me
here" answered eagerly, II was half
afraid you did not"
On. but do; ! cannot tell you all
1t means. II think I have never felt
more helpless. or--or discouraged"
1t u the strain OF SO much occur.
ring ut once. and you are worn out.
We will get away from here, some.
where back into the hills, where we
can feel safe from discovery. Then
We can rest all day. and you will be
all right again. We need sleep and
food"
released her hands gently, began
swift search, and found all we re-
Qu'red. ! left Cowan lying Just as he
mad fallen. Both OF us were glad
enough when we closed the door of
the shack and returned TO our horses.
We rode on steadily for an hour, only
occasionally exchanging a word. The
road was rough and mountainous. 80
rocky underfoot our horses left no
trail. At last we came to a narrow
ravine down which a brook plunged
over stony bed. There was no trai,
visible. but II was possible to advance
some distance by keeping close to the
Dank. ] dismounted, and, holding TO
tho rein. led my horse carefully for
ward.
FOLLOW AZ closely as you can" I
called back to her. "and keep at the
rock edge 80 as to leave no trail"
A safer place surely could not have
been found. We were In narrow de-
NE. scarcely nfty feet across, and
guarded on either side by high rock
walls. precipit0us. and exhibiting nc
sign OF q trail. I picketed the horses
close To the stream and spread blan
xets Tor the lady to lie ON at the foo,
u the buff. where she would be vel
screeaed BY thicket OF underbrush
Then ! came back to where she ga,
iientiy against the bole OF a large
rec. watching my movements.
mo doubt we are safe enough here,
I said. opening the pack. But I'll no
-'sk fire: you can eat. suppose?"
II hardly know" YEARLY. "Perhap.
| can choke little food down: bu
really ! am not hungry. How IA
have we conner"
"As mere guess l should say near
v ten miles since leaving the cabin
BY the sun II must be nine O'Clock
Fat what you can. and then lie dow,
w the blankets and rest. We will no
eave here until Just before dark"
And your"
"Oh. I may doze later II there 4
40 alarm; l shall never be far away.
She ate OF the coarse food daintil,
apparently without appetite, but d.
hill justice to the meal. satisfied, 10
he time being ut least. that we wer
iecurely hidden. There was a strang
.onstraint between us. and. fnall,
,oping to make her feel more at cas-,
ventured to breach the subject whic
rev must be slse.appermost In he
aind.
1t Is an odd situation in which "
Ind Ourselves" began awkward,
ny eyes on the ground, but ! hop
Iou--.ou will not feel embarrassed
Tor fail to have complete cont
D'Rence in me. IL have no wish
AXE any advantage: or--or assum
my authority"
| stopped, unable to express III
hing I desired to say, and the silenC
eemed Tong lifted my eyes. an