Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

that his visitor use the name of Tay
lor so as to prevent any suspicion. The
closing paragraph referred to a for
mer misunderstanding between them
and expressed kindly desire to blot
out all memory of what had occurred
My hands trembled as read the lines
and the girl at my side cried softly
her eyes SO filled with tears | doubt
if she could distinguish the words
Scarcely aware of the action, held
her with my arm, the letter crumpled
between my fingers.
It's all clear enough now, little
GIRL I whispered, my voice trembling
from sympathy. your father met his
death at the hands Of a treacherous
scoundrel. 1t was plot carefully con
ceived, and now Cowan has paid the
penalty. I 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.
tening?"
Eyes; will do just as you say"
ct will be best to go; safer, think
also"
Her hands chung to me, but she was
no longer crying, although unshed
tears dimmed her eyes.
Il thank God" she faltered, chat
he sent you to me- I could not bear
all this alone"
Il am glad you care to have me
here" answered eagerly. 81 was half
afraid you did not"
ooh, but I do; I cannot tell you all
it means. II think have never felt
more helpless, or-or discouraged"
ut is the strain Of so much occur.
ring at once, and you are worn out.
We will get away from here, some
where back into the hills, where we
can feel safebfrom discovery. Then
we can rest all day, and you will be
all right again. We need sleep and
food"
l released her hands gently, began
a swift search, and found all we re-
CURED. I left Cowan lying just as he
had 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, so
rocky underfoot our horses left no
ravine down which a brook plunged
over a stony bed. There was no trail
visible, but it was possible to advance
some distance by keeping close to the
bank. 1 dismounted, and, holding to
the rein, led my horse carefully for
ward
Follow as closely as you can,"
called back to her, 'and keep at the
rock edge SO as to leave no trail"
A safer place surely could not have
been found. We were in narrow de-
file, scarcely fifty feet across, and
guarded On either side by high rock
walls, precipitous, and exhibiting no
sign of a trail. / picketed the horses
close to the stream and spread blan-
kets for the lady to lie on at the foot
t the bluff, where she would be we'll
screened by thicket of underbrush
Then I came back to where she sat
silently against the bole Of a large
tree, watching my movements.
mo doubt we are safe enough here"
l said, opening the pack. "But I'll not
risk fire; you can eat, suppose?"
81 hardly know" YEARLY. perhaps
I can choke little food down; but
really l. am not hungry. How far
have we Gomez"
CAS- mere guess l should say near
ly ten miles since leaving the cabin.
By the sun it must be nine o'clock.
Eat what you can, and then lie down
on the blankets and rest. We will not
leave here until just before dark"
"And you?"
ooh, / may doze later if there is
no alarm; shall never be far away"
She ate Of the coarse food daintily,
apparently without appetite, but did
full justice to the meal, satisfied, for
the time being at least, that we were
securely hidden. There was strange
constraint between us, and, finally,
hoping to make her feel more at ease,
| ventured to breach the subject which
l knew must be also uppermost in her
mind.
1T is an odd situation in which we
find ourselves l began awkwardly,
my eyes on the ground, "but l hope
you-you will not feel embarrassed,
or-cr fail to have complete conf
dence i'll me. II have no wish to
take any advantage; or-or assume
any authority"
I stopped, unable to express the
thing | desired 70 say, and the silence
seemed long. / lifted my eyes, and
she was looking at me-
>"May l ask you one question:"
"a dozen"
mo, the one is all. You really be-
lieveG those who attacked us were
Cowan's men?"