The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1915-07-02

Yes, it is best" spoke the burgo
master, and the approving look in
his eye told that he appreciated my
desire to run all the risk-for risk it
was.
There was a clear half-moon, and
the road was broad and even the first
part of the journey. l noticed my
companion SILVER as we diyerged into
more obscure bride paths.
Twice she urged up her horse and
kept close to mine. l saw that the
weird loneliness of our environment
affrighted,
You must fall back" l spoke def
nitely, hut pleasantly.
"But-but fear-I am afraid she
demurred.
1T must be as l say" l insisted
1T is necessary to your safety. You
will appreciate what l say when the
journey is completed"
She did not understand, and bridled
She fell back, but with an offended
look upon her face.
Twice up to midnight we came upon
friendly encampments. My creden-
tials passed us on. At the last place
the commandant read the safe con
duct: "One Walworth Doty and wife.
Madam, ! salute you"
She directed a flashing glance at
me, as if a~rraigning me for an affront
| met her glance steadily. That beau
tiful face enchanted me, but tried
to act the guide under strict disci-
pine.
1t must have been three O'Clock in
the morning when we reached the
most difficult part of the route. Here
the road ran along the edge Of a cliff.
l had been advised by Worst that the
enemy were likely to be prowling
about. ! thought of that-and of the
load the pack horse carried. IN
creased the space between myself ant
my convoy. Her angry, yet anxious
face resented this. l had to speal
sharply to have her maintain the dis
lance. She received it with a pou
and a toss of her head. Suddenly
turning a curve in the rocklined road
there came a quick word:
Halt"
Imade out an armed officer. He wa
Of tie enemy. Beyond him, so fee
in a ravine, was a temporary CAM
q He kept a revolver and leveled at m
as he grabbed out to seize the bridl
of the pack horse.
e The animal swerved, threw up IT
e head, .~curvetted past him and brok
into quite a trot. The officer turne
and leveled his weapon, intent On hal
ing the fight with a shot.
"Stop! Stop!" / shouted.
Too late! The well-aimed bullI
struck one OF the packages on II
back of the horse, bored into 1t ar
there was a frightful defamation.
l saw the officer, struck by a hul
fragment of rock, fail prone and lif
: less. saw the pack horse, blown
atoms, go over the ledge into Il
midst of the camp below. l heard
Shrek and ran back to my charge.
you are hurt?" ! cried solicitousl
mo! No! But you" and l Il
the warm blood trickling from my fol
head, whore a flying piece Of rock n
struck me. Then | hurried on n
horse and my own past the motionle
officer, away from the camp.
what was it?" she s%huddered,
we deviated to a broader road.
Dynamite"
She started and paled. Then 5
insisted OH binding up my wound wi
a lace scarf. She kept close best
me.
And It was to shield me that y
took all the risk" she murmured.
Within the hour we we're safe
friendly hands. All her disdain a
coldness was gone now. She seem
to look to me for help. l placed /
in kindly hands.
Within two days l located her
Their and mother. She insisted on
taking her to them. Then that l
cNme their guest.
And thus it was that out OF a gru
Al. war I won a bride-no longer, he
,st ever, my dear Lady Disdainl
40. Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman