The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-02-04
49, G1oSse2-Sv
tcyrsc1tles kou
CHAPTER xxli--c0n,Inued.

F@ApfchhlQn. as though the writer mere
~ performed duty which he consld
cred unpleasant but necessary HI
acknowledged receipt OF communities
sson reaching him at Ramsays head
quarters, apparently an application fol
pardon. and pledge 10 unite with the
Federal forces, and stated that the
writer would be at the Minor house
near Hot Springs at certain date
where ne would be glad To confer fur,
ther regarding the matter. He agreed
70 come unattended. and suggested
that hts visitor use the name OF Tay.
sor 50 aa 70 prevent any suspicion. The
CLOSING paragraph referred to for,
mer Misunderstanding between them
ana expressed kindly desire to blot
our All memory OF what had occurred.
ny hands trembled as read the lines.
ana the girl at my side cried softly.
her eyes so filled With tears / doubt
she could distinguish the words.
scarcely aware OF the action, | held
ner with my arm, the letter crumpled
between my fingers.
It's all clear enough now ma
slrL J whispered. my voice trembling
from sympathy. Your father met his
aeath az the hands of a treacherous
sconndrel Il was plot carefully con.
celved, and now Cowaa has paid the
penalty, ] am glad we have learned
the truth; but Major Harwood would
never wish you 10 mourn here IN the
midst Of all this danger-you are rs.
aening?'' !"
Yes; ! win do Just al you say"
y viii be best to go; safer, think.
her hands chung 10 me, but she was
no longer crying. although unshed
Tears dimmed her eyes.
II thank God" she faltered chat
ne sent you TO me. could moi hear
ALI this alone
am glad you care to have me
mere. answered eagerly n was half
afraid you did not"
ON, but | do; / cannot tell Won ali
= means. i--l think have never felt
more helpless, or-or discouraged"
II u the strain OF SO much occur.
ring AZ once. and you are worn on,
We VII set away from here. some
where back into the hills. where we
can feel safe from discovery. Then
~e can rest all day, and you viii he
MI right again. We need sleep ana
food"
released her hands gently, began
a swift search. and found ali wa 70. /
auirea- left Cowan lying lust as he !
mad fallen. Both OF us we're glad
enough when we closed the door OF !
ths shack and returned to our horses.
we rode on steadily for an hour. only
30 assonaiiy exchanging a word. The
road Eas rough and mountainous az /
rDSky underfoot Our horses left no /
EsASA AZ last we came 10 a narrow
rzsine down which a brook plunved
efsr stony bed. There was no trail
Easii'le. but i was possible 10 advance
some distance BY keeping close 10 the
Bank dismounted. and, holding IA
fhe rein, led my horse carefully for.
sFard
folioA as closely as you can
called back 70 her. aud keep al the
rock edge so as 70 leave no trail"
safer place surely could not have
been found. We were In narrow de.
ME. scarcely hfty feet across. and
guarded ON either side by high rock
walls, precipitous. and exhibiting no
sign 81 trail ! picketed the horses
close 70 the stream and spread blan.
kets for the lady ia ne 90 al the foot
of the bun, where she would be well
screened oy a thicket Of underbrush.
Then came back 10 where she sat
silently against the bole Of large
tree. watching my movements.
No doubt We are safe enough here.
said, opening the pack ~But IN not
risk IRE; you can eat. suppose 2.
hardly know" YEARLY "Perhaps
can choke little food down, but
really am not hungry. How Tar
have we conner"
As mere guess should say near.
y ten miles since leaving the cabin
by the sun II must be nine o'clock
Eat what you can. aud then lie down
On the blankets and rest. We win NOT
leave here until just before dark"
And your"
Oht tuag uokS tater III there il |
40 alarm; ] shall never be far away"
She ate Of the coarse food daintIly
apparently without appetite. but / aid
Iuil Justice to tho meal. satisfied. for
he time being at least, that we were
securely hidden. There was a strange ,
sonstraint between US. and, finally,
hoping TO make her feel more at ease,
yentured 10 breach the subject which
knew must be also uppermosi In her
mind.
IT is an odd situation n which we
Ind ourselves" bega< awkwardiy.
my eyes on the ground. but hope |
VIII not feel embarrassed
,r-or fail to have complete conf
fence in me. I'll have no wish 10
lake any advantage; or--or assume
any authority"
stopped. unable 70 express the
hing ! desired TO say, and the silence
seemed long. lifted my eyes, and
the was looking at me
May ! ask you one question: