Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-02-25

SuFelys We VIII go togNkher," an@
! gripped her hands tightly in mine.
Whatever happens will do my best.
But we must go at once.
yes, and-and thank you"
We crept forward along the shadow
Of the orchard fence, until we mingled
with the horses fastened at the hitch
ing rail. selected among them, as
best could in the darkness. two that
seemed well adapted to our purpose.
helped her silently into the saddle,
thrusting one Of my revoIvers into the
empty holster. and then mounted my
self.
Which way had we better GOT" |
asked. my face close. our horses
touching.
Along the south road at first;
there is a cutoff just back OF the old
school"
And the pickets you know
where they are posted?"
AT the ford of the Green Briar--
the main ford"
There are none at Benton?"
NO; do not think they even know
the river is fordable there; 1t is not
on the maps"
We rode forward slowly, my hand
on her bride rein, keeping in the
deeper shadows along the side of the
road, until we passed beyond the last
house Of the village. II the camp
was not alarmed for another half hour.
our pursuers would be given a hard
task. Strange that the Federal
scouts had never located the Benton
ford. To be sure it was narrow, and
OF no value in high water, yet an ideal
place for raiding parties to cross, and
all those hills beyond were full OF
guerrilla bands eager to strike quick
and get safely away. That they dared
TO attack small bodies of troops, and.
especially poorly guarded wagon
trains, had been demonstrated more
than once, and this secret ford gave
them easy opportunity The Cowans
certainly knew of its feasibility, and
the wonder was they had never uti.
liked it before.
The longer I thought the more j
began to dread the unknown dangers
ahead-the gauntlet we must run be
fore attaining the Confederate lines.
We could bafie pursuit, but If once we
came into contact with those irregu.
lars Of the mountains-merciIess, IRE,
sponsible-no one could predict the
result. could skulk along through
the night, discard my horse, travel
afoot, and thus avoid encountering
/ NJ thnoa sxyflIotna Z =,
mountaineer, and knew the secret
trails. But with her beside me, the
two Of us mounted. such a feat was
almost impossible. l must find her
food and shelter, and we could not
travel on horseback without leaving
a trail unconcealed. To be sure,
knew her Of old; that she was strong,
resourceful, fearless-yet she was a
woman to be protected from insult, to
be guarded against exposure; more,
she was the woman I loved.
But would she be in any less danger
IL compelled her to return to Lewis
burg? She would be exposed to In
dignities, to almost certain persecu-
tion from Raymond.
''Noreen." / said, turning my face
toward her. "Do you really think It
best to try this ride with met"
you do not wish me to GOT" she
asked, as instantly refining up. You
want me to return?'
mo, not that. / have no thought
but for your own good. Only do you
understand the perils through which
we must pass in those mountainsT'
Yes, do understand" she an
swered soberly, "and Comprehend, as
you cannot, the danger of my return
ing to Lewisburg. will never go
back there; but, If you think It best
for us to part, j Twill endeavor to reach
Charleston alone"
you would rather go on with me?"
81 made that choice, but If you con.
slider me burden"
mo, it is not that, Noreen," l in
terrupted, touched by the regretful
tone of her voice. 1T was Of you
was thinking. not myself. Then we
go on together"
She was silent. her eyes on the
darkness ahead.
1T must be your decision" In
sisted.
81 made my choice an hour ago." she
answered frankly.
waited an. instant. thinking she
might say more, but she sat notion
less in the saddle. Just what her de-
cision signified / could not judge. It
| seemed to me that between two dan.
gers she had simply chosen the one
she deemed to be the lesser. Il ives
not affection fOfsme, but fear Of 9th.
ers, which urged her forward. Grasp.
ing her bride rein, rode ON through
the dark without another word. The
decision had been made; now we must
both Of us abide the consequences.
ITO BE coNT1NUED0