The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-02-03

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 rid
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.
God" he muttered almost in
audibly.
What is it?" she whispered, but
he replied only with warning shake
OF the head.
Once more he stood listening, then
gently turned her so that his body
was between her and the outside
world He thrust her back into the
open door and followed her inside.
What is ii. 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
twig or two: just some steps in the
bush that was too cautious to sound
honest; little noises that wouldn't
mean much II 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.
Il don't know who they've picked
out to get me. 1t don't matter much,
does It? But krow they've picked
tonight. I've been lookin' for Il, but
1t seems they might have let me have
tonight" His lips smiled, and for
an instant his eyes softened again o
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 a sudden and sickening ter
ror.
He bent low and covered her TEN.
pies and cheeks and lips and eyes
with kisses.
God knows, when I came here to-
night" he declared. talking fast and
passionately. Il didn't aim to ever go
away again without ye. Now I've got
to go, but II l come through. an there's
breath or a drop of blood left in
me, Ill be back. I'm a comm back,
dearest. II live"
Her answer was a low moan.
He released her at last and went
over to the gunrack.
Standing before her shrine OF guns,
in her temple of disarmament, he
said slowly: Dearest, | was about
the last man to leave my rife here,
an reckon I've got to be the first
to take it out again. I'm sorry. VIII
you give 1t to me ,r must take 1t
without permission"
She came slowly over, conscious
that her knees were trembling. and
that ice-water seemed to have taken
the place of hot blood in her veins.
IF you need It," she faltered, take
II, dear-nothing else matters Which
cne shall give you?"
MY own!" His voice was for the
instant imperious. 1t was almost as
II someone had asked Ulysses what
bow he would draw In battle. Il
reckon my own guns good enough for
me. It has been till today"
She withdrew the rifle from the
rack herself, and he took II from her
trembling hands, but when he had
accepted II she threw her arms about
him again and clung to him wildly,
her eyes wide with silent suffering
and dread.
The crushing grasp Of his arms hurt
her and she felt a wild Joy in the
pain. Then she resolutely whispered:
Go, dearest, gol Time is precious
now. God keep you!"
/ "Jranfta." he said slowly, II have
refused to talk to you in good speech
have clung to the rough phrases and
the rough manners of the hills, but
want you to know always. most
dear one, that have loved you not
only fiercely. but gently too. No ten
derer worship lives in your own world
II don't come back. think of that
God knows love you"
Don't. Anse!" she cried with a
smothered Sob Don't talk like soft
muscled lowlander! Talk TO me in
your own speech. It rings of strength.
and God knows"-her voice broke. and
she added with fierce tenderness. God
knows, dear. eagle-heart, you need all
the strength OF wing and talon to-
night"
Then she opened the back door very
cautiously on the shadows that crept
into inky blackness. and saw him slip
away and melt instantly into the
murk.
CHAPTER XIV.