Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-04-20

AVX ~ - " pS0V0uS 0ny 6u0pACAOu. luC
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 1T my side cried softly,
her eyes so filled with tears doubt
IL 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 . treacherous
scoundrel. 1t was 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.
tening?"
Yes; will do just as you say"
ut 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, that
he sent you to me. could not bear
oil this alone"
II am glad you care to have me
here" answered eagerly. II was half
afraid you did not.
"Oh, but l do; cannot tell you all
1t means. IL think have never felt
more helpless, or-or discouraged"
ut IL 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 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-
quired. 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 word. The
road was rough and mountainous, SO
rocky underf00t our horses left no
trail. At last we came to q narrow
ravine down which q brook plunged
over stony bed. There was no trail
visible. but 1t was possible to advance
some distance by keeping close to the
bank. dismounted. and. holding to
the rein. led my horse carefully for.
ward.
Follow rs closely as you can." 1
called back to her. and keep at the
rock edge 30 Is to leave no TRAIL
A safer place surely could not have
been found. We were in narrow de-
die. scarcely fifty feet across, and
guarded on either side by high rock
walls. precipitous, and exhibiting no
sign Of \ trail. I.picketed the horses
close to the streamta and spread blan-
kets for tho lady to lie on at the foot
Of the bluff. where she would be we'll
! screened by thicket of underbrusl.
; Then came back to where she sat
silently against the bole of q large
tree. watching my movements.
"No doubt We are safe enough here"
said. opening the pack. But I'll not
risk fire; you can eat, suppose?"
Il hardly know" YEARLY. Perhaps
I can choke little food down; but
really l am not hungry. How far
have we Gomez"
'As mere guess I should say near
ly ten miles since leaving the cabin.
BY the sun 1t 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 it 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 a strange
constraint between us. and, finally.
hoping to make her feel more at ease.
ventured to breach the subject which
knew must be also 'uppermost in her
mind.
1T 10 an odd situation in which we
ma ourselves.' ] began awkwardly.
lsmy eyes on the ground. "but hope
y0u-you will not feel embarrassed,
or--or fail to have complete conf.
dence in me- III have no wish to
take any advantage: or-or assume
any authority"
1 stopped. unable to express the
thing desired to say, and the silence
seemed long. lifted my eyes, and
she was looking at me.
May / ask you one question:"
"A DOZEN
"No, the one is all. You really be.
lieved those who attacked us were
Cowan's men?"
Il had no other thought, Miss No.
reen." "a
Then your proposal was merely
made in the hope Of thus protecting
me from insult?"
THAT was my sole thought at the
time" l replied soberly. ut was a
desperate chance. yet the only one Ap-
parently left US. That is what l
wanted to say. to EXPLAIN" went on
hastily. before she could interrupt. Il
realize the serious mistake made. and
how embarrassing It must all be to
you. But you must believe me &
gentleman. would never have spo-
ken one word; never have made any
claim upon YOU, Miss Noreen. L real
ice that have no right"
"You may call me Noreen," she said
simply. I'VE have been friends, and
think we will alwayscbe. Il do trust