The circle banner., 1916-05-19
CHAPTER xxx.
The Trail to CovInuton,

The Trail to CovinQton.
AS | gripped the horses rein ant
turned him slowly around | heard 6
single shot fired in the gorge below
the sound echoing among the rocks
and spark of fire cleaned through
the darkness. 1t was far enough away
to give me little concern, yet the re
port must have been heard by the cav
airy squad now we'll out in the open
for they wheeled their horses and rode
straight toward the ravine. Their
course would bring them higher up
just to the rear OF the church. yet
with suspicious once aroused, twas
likely they would patrol the banks,
seeking for some passage below. Con-
fident the distance between us was
sufficient to hide my movements so
long as kept we'll back in the shadow
of the trees. l led the horse forward.
advancing as rapidly as ! dared to
travel, using one hand to steady Ray.
mond's body swaying across the sad
mile, or more, to where the forest
spread out from the bank into a dark
tangle of trees, extending half across
the ridge. The winding of the ravine
took me out of sight of the body of
horsemen above, yet knew they had
galloped to the edge of the gorge. and
we're calling to whoever was below.
could hear the shouts. without catch
ing the words, and even imagined
distinguished faint cry in return. By
the lieutenant's belt over the
saddle horn, thus preventing his limp
body from sliding of, urged the AMI
NAL to sharp trot
What was before us In those dark
woods was all conjecture-but ! pos
sessed infinite confidence in Noreen.
The very silence, coupled with the fact
that no sign of the two fugitives had
been met with along the way, con
vinced me that they had safely at
tainad the rendezvous, and were now
here, anxiOusly awaiting my arrival
The time had not been long. and the
girl would never consent to proceed
llone with Nichols. until she had lost
every hope of my joining her. He
night not remain willingly in such
lose proximity Of danger but | could
,ount on her to keep the fellow there
Until the last possible moment. We
vent down into shallow gully, and |
hen climbed the opposite bank. hav-
ng to force passage through thick |
Grub. | pressing the branches aside |
o prevent their scratching Raymond's
ace. He gave utterance to q groan,
nd l lifted his head, supporting ii on
ny shoulder as we topped the rise.
he horse SHE'D. caught glimpse OF
shadow fitting across an open space.
"Noreen!"
rs 1t really you? | could not tell
be horse: the something across the
addle."
She came forward with swift
pring, not satisfied until her hand
ctually touched me.
'Oh, am so glad-you are net even
urtf'
Not seriously; battered up a bit
ichols7" II
Yes. he Is here; there beside the {
ee. Tell me what has happenedl {
hat have you here? Why 1t Is a
an" she shrank back. IA dead 8
ami" '
mo, not dead" | hastened to ex-
ain. unbuckling the belt. and lower Z
g the still limp body to the ground. q
Here. parson. don't let the horse p
ray. We cannot waste many min r
es here; there are cavafrymen scout b
) the edge Of the ravine yonder. and 8
~ may come as far as this. That Fl
Why ! brought the fellow along-to e
ep him from being found. Do you 8
sognixe the face. Noreenr n
I was dark and shadowy whore we n
re and she was compelled to bsad Il