The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-08-31
CHAPTER VIII.

w nat contrast, Duduo LIOuSuL, Inc
calm evening of that day presented to
the state of his soul! This third fac
ing of a desperate man had thrown
him off his balance. It had not been
fatal, but it threatened so much.
Despair had seized upon him and was
driving him into a reckless mood when
he thought of Jennie.
He had forgotten her. He had for
gotten that he had promised to save
her. He had forgotten that he meant
to snuff out as many lives as might
stand between her and freedom. The
very remembrance sheered off his
morbid intrOspectiOn. She made a
difference. How strange for him to
realize that! He felt grateful to her.
He had been forced into outlawry; she
had been stolen from her people and
carried into captivity. They had met
in the river fastness he to instill hope
into her despairing life, she to be the
means, perhaps, of keeping him from
sinking:to the level of her captors. He
became conscious of e strong and beat
ing desire to see her, talk with her.
These thoughts hac run through his
mind while on his way to Mrs. BANDS
house. He had let Euchre go on ahead
because he wanted n ore time to COM
pose himself. Darl1nass had about set
in when he reached his destination.
There was no light in the house. Mrs.
Bland YVES waiting f3r him on the
poE:h.
She embraced him. and the sudden,
violent, unfamiliar contact sent such
shock through him that he all but
forgot the deep game he was playing.
She, however, in her agitation did not
notice his shrinking. From her en-
brace and the tender, ineoherent words
that flowed with it he gathered that
Euchre had acquainted her of his ac-
ton with Black.
"He might have killed you!" she
whispered, more clearly; and if Duane
had ever heard love in a voice ne
heard it then. 1t softened him. 1t
was easy, even pleasant, to kiss her;
but Duane resolved that, whatever her
abandonment might become, he would
not go further than the lie she made
him act.
"Buck, you love me?" she whispered.
"Yes-yes," he burst out, eager to
get it over, and even as he spoke he
caught the pale CLEAN of Jennie's face
through the window. He felt shame
he was glad she could not see.
The moon had risen over the eastern
bulge of dark mountain, and now the
valley was flooded with mellow light,
and shadows of cottonwoodS wavered
against the silver.
Suddenly the clip-clop, clip-clop of
hoofs caused Duane to raise his head
and listen. Horses were coming down
the road from the head of the valley.
The hour was unusual for riders to
come in. Presently the narrow, moon
lit lane was crossed at it's far end by
black moving objects. Two horses
Duane discerned.
Its Bland!" whispered the woman,
grasping Duane with shaking hands.
You must runl No, he'd see you.
That d be worse. It's Bland! know
| his horses trot."
Then she dragged Duane to the door,
| pushed him in.
"Euchre, come out with me! Duane,
you stay with the girl! I'll tell Bland
you're in love with her. Jen, if you
give US away I'll wiring your neck"
The swift action and fierce whisper
told Duane that Mrs. Bland was her
self again. Duane stepped close to
Jennie, who stood near the window.
Neither spoke, but her hands were