The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-03-11

his ardor nightly as two days OF
| dreary isolation passed by.
Ware tried fishing. but it did not
fill the bill. The partridges were run
| ming and he got down his gun. There
was little zest in the sport, however
He would start a covey and then list
lessly neglect to take shot before
| they were safe in covert.
He would sit down on a fallen log,
ostenssbly to rest, and rouse himself
from gloomy and distressing rev.
erie over Leila-always and ever
Leila!
He had not estimated his nearness
to the Lodge until he caught the
sound of singing and the echo of man
dolins. He hurried from the spot with
more vivid sorrowing memories than
ever.
A form dashed off into the under
brush just then from the direction of
the Lodge. Ware, scanning its flight,
made out 1.-THE, graceful feminine
figure. Then it had vanished. He
hastened his steps, discerning in the
speedy dash of the person he had
seen some runaway frolic of guest
of the Lodge, and he did not wish to
meet any of them.
He slackened his gait as he got
out of sight of the Lodge. He yawned
wearily as he turned his face toward
the camp. Another long, eventless
over his head and beyond. He thought
of dinner and raised his fowlingpiece
The bird was diving into a nest of
underbrush as he fired. 1t escaped
| scatheless, but as the small shot
ratified among the bushes a shrill.
piercing scream rang out.
Great heavens! have shot some.
body!" cried Ware in CONSERVATION.
He threw down his gun and dashed
anxiously toward the brush He part
ed the bushes. There, hiding her face
with her hands. upon her knees and
rocking to and fro in mortal terror,
was the girl he had seen running
from the Lodge-he recognized her
dress at once.
You are hurt-I fired. not knowing
there was anyone near-Leila!'
In stupefaction he scanned the face
of the girl as her hands we're with
| drawn. She turned deathly white.
She uttered strangely enigmatical
sentence
1T is fate!"
For the space of fully minute
| those two, so singularly. so tragically
met, stood staring, spellbound.
Il was only frightened" faltered
Leila tremulously. 81 was-was run
ming away, and heard footsteps. and
hid"
From whom-why?" inquired Ware
in sheer mystification.
My mother had traced me. hoped
they would not think of my being
with my cousins at the Lodge"
"But-your husband?"
81 am not married." she whispered,
her glance dropping. Il ran away
from-from that man, whom l detest
on my wedding day
again, why?"
She answered him with a furtive
look, her face crimsoning. His heart
gave a mighty bound, and he asked
calmly, Shall take you back to the
Lodge?"
ITO meet-him!" she cried bitterly.
Never! oh, Randall, Mr.. Ware, get
me away as quick as you can. Surely I
am my own mistress. Surely you will
not put me back in that old captivity.
when you know-when you know"
Could he resist her? Could he mis-
take the timid eyes that pleaded. yet
were abashed?
"If l dared think" he said. that 1
could offer you my protection, my
love"
Il would defy the world!" she cried.
They fastened like children. hand
in hand. towards the village. The
clergyman they visited marveled at
their trepidation. 1t passed away
with both, as, erect, manly, feeling
king with the dearest woman to him
in the world on his arm, Randall Ware
left the quaint little parsonage with
his bride.