The Holly chieftain., 1916-04-07
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CHAPTER xxll-continusd.

y performed duty which he consid-
cred unpleasant. but necessary. He
acknowledged receipt Of communica.
tion reaching him at Ramsay's head
quarters. apparently an application for
pardon. and pledge to unite with the
Federal forces, and stated that the
writer would be at the Minor house
near Hot Springs at certain date.
where he would be glad to confer fur
ther regarding the matter. He agreed
to come unattended. and suggested
that his visitor use the pame of Tay-
lor SO as to prevent any suspicion. The
closing paragraph referred to for
mer misunderstanding between them
and expressed . kindly desire to blot
out all memory Of what had occurred.
Ny hands trembled as read the lines,
and the girl at my side cried softly.
her eyes so filled with tears I doubt
II she could distinguish the words.
Scarcely aware Of the action, held
between my fingers.
TITS all clear enough now, little
girl" / whispered. my voice trembling
from sympathy. Your father met his
death at the hands of treacherous
scoundrel. 1t was plot carefully con-
ceived. and now Cowan has paid the
penalty. am glad we have learned
the truth; but Major Harwood would
never wish you to mourn here in the
midst of all this danger-you are lis
tening?"
Yes; will do just as you say"
1T will be best to go; safer, l think.
also"
Her hands clung to me, but she was
no longer crying. although unshed
tears dimmed her eyes.
Il thank God" she faltered, that
he sent you to me. l could not bear
all this alone"
Il am glad you care to have me
here" answered eagerly. II was half
afraid you did not"
"Oh. but do; cannot tell-you all
1t means. IL think have never felt
more helpless. or-or discouraged"
1T is the strain of so much occur
ring at once. and you are worn out.
We will get away from here. some
where back into the hills, where we
can feel safe from discovery. Then
we can rest all day. and you will be
all right again. We need sleep and
food"
l released her hands gently, began
q swift search, and found all we re-
Quired- left Cowan lying Just as he
had fallen. Both of us were glad
enough when we closed the door of
the shack and returned to our horses.
We rode on steadily for an hour, only
occasionally exchanging word. The
road was rough and mountainous. SO
rocky underfoot our horses left no
trail. At last we came to a narrow
ravine down which brook plunged
over stony bed. There was no trail
visible, but 1t was possible to advance
some distance by keeping close to the
bank. dismounted, and, holding to
the rein, led my horse carefully for.
ward
Follow as closely as you can," L
called back to her, "and keep at the
rock edge so as to leave no trail"
A safer place surely could not have
been found. We were in a narrow de-
file. scarcely fifty feet across. and
guarded on either side by high rock
walls. precipitous, and exhibiting no
sign of trail. picketed the horses
close to the stream and spread blan.
kets for the lady to lie on at the foot
OF the bluff, where she would be we'll
screened by thicket of underbrush.
Then l came back to- where she sat
silently against the bole Of a large
tree, watching my movements.
mo doubt we are safe enough here"
said. opening the pack. But I'll not
risk fire; you can eat. suppose?"
81 hardly know" wearily. Perhaps
can choke little food down: but
really ! am not hungry. How far
have we GOMEZ"
"As mere guess should saw near.
ly ten miles since leaving the cabin.
BY the sun 1t must be nine O'Clock.
Eat what you can. and then lie down
on the blankets and rest We will not
leave here until just before dark"
"And you?"
"Oh. l may doze later II there ia
no alarm; shall never be far away"
She ate Of the coarse food daintily,
apparently without appetite, but did
full justice to the meal, satisfied, for
the time being at least. that we were
securely hidden. There was q strange
constraint between US. and. finally.
hoping to make her feel more at ease.