The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-01-28


review OF the nights adventures.
and plan for the morrow. We met
with no one. heard no noise except the
steady pounding OF our horses hoofs.
little later the sky to the east be-
gan to tighten In the promise OF dawn.
We climbed a long hill, our horses
slowing to the ascent. and by the time
we attained the summit the gray light
revealed our faces. looked across
at her. and her eyes. uplifted sud
denly to mine, smiled.
You are worn out" said.
I'll am tired" she confessed. FL
! have been two days and nights with
out sleep. II ] could only rest for an
hour"
You shall--aIl day long. We will
find place In which to hide down
there in the valley"
Tho road led winding down between
rocky banks into narrow valley,
hemmed In by great hills, and watered
by small stream. AS we paused to
let the thirsty animals drink, the In.
creasing daylight gave me glimpse OF
bride path skirting the edge Of the
stream along the west bank. The
path turned sharply to the right. and
as we mounted to the slightly higher
ground we could see the cabin perched
on little knoll. against the black hill
| behind.
Surely nothing about the shanty, or
its immediate surroundings. indicated
present occupancy. Yet when finally
! advanced 1t was with caution, and a
strange sense of expectation. Noreen
followed closely behind, treading al
most In my footsteps, as noiseless as
a fawn, her skirts held close about her
limbs. At the edge of the woods she
/ stood motionless as ! went crouching
forward. The cabin was not deserted.
in spite of its desolate outward ap.
pearance Opposite me was an open
fireplace, an iron kettle sitting in the
ashes. while a shortbarreled rifle
stood upright In corner. On one of
the stools lay broad-brimmed hat,
and pair of ragged corduroy trousers
hung on wooden peg beside the I'M
join me. In spite of the lines OF weari-
ness In her face the light of the dawn
revealed beauty that caused my
heart TO throb. Her eyes silently ques-
toned me. and explained quickly
what discovery had made.
but the man may return" she said
doubtfully.
"Oi course, although | imagine he
has disappeared for the day. II he
is hiding out he may not dare to re
main here In daylight. Anyway you
can rest safely, for am not In need
of any sleep. mapped In my eel
yesterday, and just short doze will
serve me. But you are terribly tired
II is in your eyes"
YES" she confessed, Il must sleeI
somewhere"
Then come: Wen find bite to ea
and q place for you to lie down."
opened the door noiselessly. al
though took no special precaution
and held II wide, while she stepped
across the threshold. and stood look
Ing curlously about, Then closed 1
behind us, and we we're In q sort o
twilight, amid which objects appeared
rather indistlnct.
"Ah." | said, "the fellows cupboar,
must be over yonder. hope he keep
II we'll stocked"
stepped across in front OF her. witt
no other thought than that of explor
ing the larder. when she gave vent I,
startled cry. and stopped suddenly
sweeping my eyes about to learn tn
cause of alarm. The ragged quilt wa
on the floor. and man leaped acros
the room and grasped the rifle In tn
corner. saw the swift movement
realized the purpose, yet had scarcel
] time to draw revolver from the bel
sbefore he had hand on the weapon
and whirled savagely about, facing vi
| For the instant the gloom disfigure
| his facial knew was that he wa
! a big fellow, with ragged. untrimme
| hair and . scraggly beard, steppe
| forward and flung up my arm.
| Drop it, said shortly. Lift this
| gun and you're deadl"
| AT first thought him crazy enoug
TO take the chance of my fire: the
!. the big fingers relaxed. and the rifl
fell Gathering to the floor To my su
prise. the fellow laughed.
o well. I'll be damned!" be chortie,
] you here?"
II He threw back his head. and | re
e. oguized him--Jem Taylor, old Ne
y Cowan. | drew quick breath. N
| teeth clenched. my arm steady. TIL
lie encounter was going to prove no boy
lie play.
ID Put down yer popgun. boy. an tai
Il II easy-the blame thing mout go O
IN reckon as how we all hav'n't z
~ nuthin' ter fight fer. hav' we? Ho
II. Their Sam Hill did yer ever git we're
ne Now wait. broke in coldly. "Ys
lg stand just where you are. am n
We sure whether you know me or no
be but know you. Ned Cowan-I knc
Oh what you did at Hot Springs. and he