Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-03

hncomprehending stare, which plung-
ed her back into despair. He don't
know me"' she said. with piteOus ac-
cent. She now perceived the source
of the blood upon her arm. 1t came
from wound i'll the boys head which
had been dashed upon stone. -
The sight of this wound brought
back the blaze of accusing anger to her
eyes. See What you did," she said,
with cold malignity. Then by sudden
shift she bent to the sweet face in her
arms and kissed it passionately. open
your eyes, darling. You must not die.
l won't let you die. Can't you hear
me? Don't you know where you are?''
He opened his eyes once more, quiet
ly, and looked up into her face with a
faint, drowsy smile. He could not
yet locate himself in space and time,
but he knew her and was comfOrted.
Slowly the youths eyes took on eX-
preston. Are we still on the hill?'
he asked.
Yes, dearest" she assured him.
Then to Bclden, "IIe knows where he
is"
Wayland again struggled with real
ity. what has happened to me?'
You fell and hurt your head"
He turned slightly and observed the
other man looking down at her with
dark ana tragic glance. Hello, Bel
den" he said feebly. How came you
here?" Then noting Berries look, he
added: II remember. He tried to kill
me-" He again searched his antago-
nist's face why didn't you finish the
job?'
The girl tried to turn his thought
aside. It's all right now, darling. He
won't make any more trouble. Don't
mind him. don't care for anybody
now you are coming back to me-"
Wayland wonderingly regarded the
face of the girl And you-are you
hurt?'
mo, I'm not hurt. am perfectly
happy now" She turned to Belden
with quick. authoritative command.
"Unsaddle the horses and set up the
tent. We won't be able to leave here
tonight"
He rose with instant obedience, glad
of a chance to serve her, and soon had
the tent pegged to it's place and the
bedding unrolled. Together they lift
ed the wounded youth and laid him
upon his blankets beneath the low can
vas roof which seemed heavenly help
full to Berea
There" she said caressingly. Now
you are safe, no matter whether it
rains or not"
He smiled. 1T seems I'm to have
my way after all. l hope l shall be
able to see the sun rise. I've sort of
lost my interest in the sunset"
Nov, Cliff" she said as soon as the
camp was in order and a fire started,
Il reckon you'd better ride on. |
haven't any further use for you"
Don't say that, Berrie," he pleaded.
Il can't leave you here alone with
sick man. Let me stay and help"
/ She looked ut him for long time
| before she replied. Il shall never be
able to look at you again without hat
ing you" she said. Il shall always re-
member you as you looked when you
were killing that boy. SO you'd better
ride On and keep a-riding. I'm going
to forget all this just as soon as | can,
and it don't help me any to have you
around. | never want to see you or
hear your name again"
You don't mean that, Berrier
Yes, | do" she asserted bitterly. II
mean just that. SO saddle up and pull
| out. All | ask of you is to say nothing
about what has happened here. You'd
better leave the state. If Wayland
should get worse it might go hard with
you"
He accepted his Punishment. "AlI
right. If you feel that way I'll ride.
But I'd like to do something for you
before | go. I'll pile up some wood
mo. I'll take care of that" And
without another word of farewell she
turned away and re-entered the tent.
Mounting his horse with painful slow
ness, as though suddenly grown old,
the reprieved assassin rode away up
/ the mountain, his head bent low, his
eyes upon the ground