The Huttig news., 1915-12-18
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C were calling to whoever was below. could hear the shouts, without catch ing the words, and even imagined distinguished faint cry in return. By slipping the lieutenant's belt over the saddle horn. thus preventing his limp body from sliding off, 1 urged the ani- nal to a sharp trot.
 What was before us in those dark woods was all conjecture-but I pos sessed infinite confidence in Noreen. The very silence, coupled with the fact that no sign of the two fugitives had been met with along the way, con vinced me that they had safely at- tained the rendezvous, and were now there, anxiously awaiting my arrival 1 The time had not been long. and the 1 girl would never consent to proceed alone with Nichols, until she had lost l every hope of my joining her. He might not remain willingly in such close proximity of danger, but 1 could count on her to keep the fellow there until the last possible moment. We went down into shallow gully, and thch SiiLHDCd lhC OppOoitC pdhht he' ing to force passage through thick scrub, 1 pressing the branches aside to prevent their scratching Raymonds face. He gave utterance to a groan. and lifted his head, supporting it on my shoulder as we topped the rise. The horse shied, I caught glimpse of a shadow fitting across an open space. "Noreen!"
 ''Is it really you? I could not tell the horse; the something across the saddle"
 She came forward with swift spring, not satisfied until her hand actually touched me.
 hurt?"
 Not seriously; battered up bit Nichols?"
 ''Yes, he Is here; there beside the tree. Tell me what has happened! What have you here? Why it is a man. she shrank back, "a-a dead mani"
 No, not dead" hastened to ex- plain, unbuekling the belt, and lower ing the still limp body to the ground. Here, parson. don't let the horse stray. We cannot waste many min utes here; there are cavairymen scout 1 ing the edge of the ravine wonder. and they may come as far as this. That l is why I brought the fellow along--to keep him from being found. Do you recognize the face, Noreen?" Ix d were and she was compelled to bend l low to distinguish the features. Her 1 lips gave startled. half-suppressed cry:
 "Why it is Lieutenant Raymond, You--you fought together? How did he come here?"
 "I think he suspected we might manage to escape from the church He was more anxious to capture me than he was to fight evidently, for I caught no glimpse of his face during the melee. But he, and three troopers, were hidden at the edge of the woods watching where the trail comes up from the ravine."
 Yes" breathlessly, i've saw them come across. just after the torches be- gan to flare up inside the church. Then later another man rode along there"
 "That was Kelly; he brought word that we had got away. I was within ten feet of them when they met The lieutenant swore at the news, and sent the four men down the trail to search he offered one hundred dollars for me, dead or alive"
 She arose to her feet, but the dark ness prevented my seeing the expres. sion on her face.
 He did! This man?" she ex. claimed, the horror of the thought vis- ible in the tone. "Why, what is 1t to him? I do not understand why he should exhibit such bitterness-he was determined to convict you from the first. There was no feud between you two, was there?"
 "Only Noreen Harwood," answered speaking softly. "But-look! The cav airy squad just passed across that open space; they are riding this way Raymond will revive presently. ant some of his men will find him here Kelly will search as soon as he dis covers the man is missing Nichols. fasten the belt about his arms-yes, buckle it behind; notch tighter. You know the trail?"
 I've been over it enough" rather sullenly. s'ls Anse Cowan dead?"
 Yes; but that doesn't affect you at present. You are going to guide us to Covington. Hold the horse. Now No reen."
 She gave me her hand, and helped her into the saddle. A horse neighed in the distance, but my fingers closed on the nostrils of the animal beside me in time to prevent response. Nich- ols stood motionless, tall, shapeless figure, gazing back over the tops of the bushes. I drew my revolver. and touched him with 1t sharply on the arm.
 Co on." I said quietly, yet with a threat in my voice. Attempt to run. or play any trick, and l drop you m