The state herald., 1916-01-07
CHAPTER xvl-contlnued.

lie was pointing ugain, but In very
different direction now. AS her anx-
ious eye sought the place he indicated,
her face flushed crimson with evanes-
cent Joy. Just where the open ground
OF the gully melted again into the for
est, the figure of a man could be seen
moving very quickly. In another mo-
ment 1t had disappeared amid the
foliage.
Straight for the station" an
nounced Mr.. Sloan: and. taking out
his watch, added quickly; ''the train
is not due for 15 minutes. He'll catch
It"
The train south?T
Yes, and the train north. They
pass here"
Mr.. Black turned startled eye
upon the guide. But Reuther's face
was still alight She felt very happy.
Their Journey had not been for
naught He would have six hours
start Of his pursuers; he would be that
much sooner In Shelby; he would hear
the accusation against him and refute
1t before she saw him again.
But Mr.. Blacks thoughts were less
pleasing than hers. He had never had
more than passing hope Of divers
innocence. and now he had none at
all. The young man had fled. not in
response to his fathers telegram. but
under the impulse Of his own fears.
They would not find him in Shelby
when they returned. They might never
nnd him anywhere again. A pretty
story to carry back to the Judge.
As he dwelt upon this thought his
reflections grew more and more
gloomy. and he had little to say till
he reached the turn where the two
men still awaited them.
In 'he encounter which followed NO
attempt was made by either party to
disguise the nature of the business
which thus had brought them to
gether. The man whom Mr.. Black
took to be a Shelby detective nodded
as they met and remarked. with q
quick glance at Reuther:
so you've come without him! In,
sorry for that | was In hopes that
might be spared the long ride up the
mountain"
MIR. Black limited his answer TO one
OF his sour smiles.
Whose horse Is this!" came in per
emptory demand from the other man
with nod toward the animal which
could now be seen Idly grazing by the
wayside. And how came II on the
road aione?"
we can only give you these facts.
rejoincd the lawyer. 1T came from
Tempest lodge 1t started out aheat
of us with the gentleman we had gone
10 visit on Its back. We did not pass
the gentleman on the road. and n hs
has not passed you no must have ief,
the road somewhere on foot He did
not go back to the lodge"
MIR Black"
= am telling you the absolute truth
Make what you will Of t. His father
desires him homo. and sent a mes
sage. This message this young iady
undertook 10 deliver. and she did de
liver IL, witt the consequences have
mentioned II you doubt me take
your ride. II is no; an easy one. and
,ha en,y man remaining AZ the lodg,
IA deaf ns n post"
mir. Black has told the whols
story" averrcd the guide.
They looked at Reuthcr.
4 have polhing to add" said she
4 have been terrified lest the gentle.
man you wish 10 see was thrown from
the horses back over the precipice
Hut perhaps he found some way of
getting down on foot. He 10 q very
strong and daring man"
The tree!" circulated the de.so.
aye's companion. lie wss from a
neighborins locality and remembered
.hia onr natural ladder Up the side of
che gully.
Yes. the tree" Acknowledged Mr..
sloan. That. or . fall Lot us hone
Il was not fall"
As he ceased LONG screech from an
approaching locomotive woke up tn.
echoes Of the forest Il vas answered
ey another from the opposite direction.
Both trains were on time. The relief
s.it by Reuthcr could no, be con.
sealed. The detective noticed H.
I'm wasting time here" said he
Excuse rrc. Mr. Black. n push on
ahead OF you II VIZ don't meet at
th. station. We shall meet In Shelby" ("
Mr.. Blacks mouth twisted gfimly.
iie had no doubt OF the latter fact.
Next minute they we're Jl cantering
In tho one direction. the detective very
much In the advance.
let mo 10 with you 10 the station"
sntrcated Routhef. 81 Mr. Black held
up hin arms TO III her from her horse
Al tho door Of the hotel
but hia refusal vas peremptry
TIL be back In lust 1ve minutes, said
90. And without waiting for u second
pleading look, hc lifted her gently on
and carried bnr In
When he returned. as he I'D In the
time specified. he had but ons word
for her,
atf.ana % said ba