Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1916-02-02

hardened and the jaw angle stiffened
and the lips drew themselves into
their old line of warlike sternness.
She looked again into the face of the
mountaineer, the feudist, of the Wild
creature turning to stand at bay.
For a moment they remained mo-
tionless, and her fingers rested ON
his arms and felt the strain on his
| tautened biceps.
Cod" he muttered almost in
audibly.
What is it?" she whispered, but
he replied only with a warning shake
Of the head.
| Once more be stood listening, then
gently turned her 80 that his body
was between her and the outside
world. He thrust her back into the
open door and followed her inside.
What is it, Anse? What did you
| hear out there?" Her face had gone
pallid and she chung to his arms with
a grip that indicated no intention of
release.
"Nothin' much. Just the crackin' of
a twig or two; Just some steps in the
bush that was too cautious to sound
honest; little noises that wouldn' t
mean much If didn't know what they
/ do mean. They weren't friendly
sounds. They're after me-
Who? What do you mean?"
Her voice came in low panic OF
whispering. and even as she spoke the
man was listening with his head bent
toward the closed door.
He laughed mirthlessly under his
breath
I don't know who they've picked
out to get me. 1t don't matter much,
does it? But l know they've picked
tonight. I've been lookin' for it, but
it seems they might have let me have
tonight" His lips smiled, and for
an instant his eyes softened again 70
tenderness. This was my night
our night
Suddenly he wheeled and caught
her fiercely in his arms holding her
very close, and now her heart was
beating more wildly than before-beat
ing with sudden and sickening ter
ror.
He bent low and covered her tenn.
pies and cheeks and lips and eyes
| with kisses.
God knows, when | came here to-
night" he declared, talking fast and
passionately, Il didn't aim to ever &c
away again without We. Now I've got
to go, but if come through, an there's
| breath or drop of blood left in
me. I'll be back. I'm comm back,
dearest, if live"
Her answer was a low moan.
| He released her at last and went
over to the gun-rack.
Standing before her shrine of guns
in her temple of disarmament, he
said slowly: Dearest, l was about
the last man to leave my rifle here
an / reckon I've got to be the first
to take it out again. I'm sorry. Will
you give it to me Or must take II
without permission?"
She came slowly over, conscious
that her knees we're trembling, and
that ice-water seemed to have taken
the place of hot blood in her veins.
IF you need it," she faltered, take
it. dear-nothing else matters Which
one shall l give you?"
my own," His voice was for the
instant imperious. 1t was almost as
If someone had asked Ulysses what
bow he would draw in battle. J
reckon my own guns good enough fol-
I &060
She withdrew the rifle from the
rack herself, and he took 1t from hel
trembling hands, but when he had
accepted it she threw her arms about
him again and chung to him wildly
her eyes wide with silent suffering
and dread.
The crushing grasp of his arms hurt
her ard she felt wild Joy In the
main. Then she resolutely whispered
go. dearest. go! Time is precious
now. God keep you!"
"Juanita." he said slowly, I have
refused to talk to you in good speech
have clung to the rough phrases anc
the rough manners of the hills, but
want you to know always. mos
dear one. that l have loved you no.
only fiercely, but gently too. NO ten
derer worship lives in your own Woriu
If don't come back, think OF that
God knows love you.
J "Don't. Ansei" she cried with
snotbered sob Don't talk like SOIL
muscled lowlander! Talk 10 me Il
: your own speech. It rings OF strengtn
and Cod knows"-her voice broke, ane
sbe added with fierce tenderness, Goe
knows. dear, eagle-heart, you need al
the strength of wing and talon 10
night" .r,
Then she opened tho back door yer,
cautiously on the shadows that crep
into inky blackness. and saw him Sill
away and melt instantly into tn'
murk.
CHAPTER XIV.