The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-08-17
4eP[DN[IST i! /:
A MLf OF CIVIL STpGT +.
&RANDhLL PARISH "
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the soft CLEAN OF the stars,
! know not how long vs rods o.
how far. for my mind had drifted into
. review Of the nights adventures
and . plaa for the morrow. We me.
with no one. heard no noise except ths
steady pounding OF our horss's hoofs
A little later the sky to the east b.
gan to tighten In the promise of davn.
We climbed . long hill. our horses
slowing to the ascent. and BY the dine
We attained the summit the gray light
revealed our faces. ] looked aeross
st her. and her eyes. upliftsd sud.
denly to mine. smiled.
you are worn out" ! said.
I'll An ured." she confessed. T.
! have been two days and nights With.
out sleep. II could only rest for an
hour"
You shall-all day long. We will
Ind place in which to hide down
there in the valley"
The road led winding down between
rocky banks into Q narrow valley.
hemmed in BY great hills. and watered
BY Q small stream. Al We paused to
let the thirsty animals drink. the In.
creasing daylight gave me glimpse Of
. bride path skirting the edge Of the
stream along the west bank. The
path turned sharply to the right. and
- We mounted to the slightly higher
ground We could sec tho cabin perched
on little knoll. against the black bill
behind.
Surely nothing about the shanty, or
its Immediate surroundings. indicated
present occupancy. Yet when finally
advanced It was with caution, and Q
strange sense of expectation. Noreep
followed closely behind. treadins a.
most in my footsteps. ~ noiseless -
. fawn. her skirts held close about her
limbs. At the edge of the woods she
stood motionless ~ l went crouchins
forward. The cabin was not deserted,
in spite Of its desolate outward ap-
pearance. Opposite me was an open
fireplace. An iron kettle sitting In the
ashes. while = short-barreled rias
stood upright in . corner. On one Of
the stools lay . broad-brimmed hat,
and pair Of ragged corduroy trousers
hung On . wooden peg beside the un.
barred door. motioned to her to
Join me. In spite Of the lines Of weari.
ness In her face the light of the dawn
revealed . beauty that caused my
heart to throb. Her eyes silently ques.
toned me. and explained quickly
what discovery I had made.
But the man may return" she said
doubtfully.
"Of course. although imagine he
has disappeared for the day. II hs
10 hiding out he may not dare to re-
main here in daylight. Anyway you
can rest safely. for I am not in need
OF any sleep. mapped in my cell
yesterday. and just q short doxe will
serve me. But you are terribly tired
1t is in your eyes,"
"Yes." she confessed. "I must sleep
somewhere"
Then come; we'll find a bite to a,
and place for you to lie down."
l opened the door noiselessly, al.
though l took no special precaution.
and held 1t wide, while she steppeo
across the threshold. and stood look.
ing curiously about. Then closed 1t
behind US. and we were in q sort Of
twilight, amid which objects appeared
rather indistinct.
All" l said. the fellows cupboard
must be over yonder. hope he keeps
1t well stocked"
stepped across in front of her. with
no other thought than that of explor.
ing the larder. when she gave vent IN
. startled cry. and stopped suddenly.
sweeping my eyes about to learn the
cause Of alarm. The ragged quilt was
on the floor. and q man leaped across
the room and grasped the rife In the
corner. saw the swift movement
realized the purpose. yet had scarcely
time to draw revolver fro... the belt
before he had hand on the weapon.
and whirled savagely about, facing Us,
For the instant the gloom disfigured
his facial knew was that he was
big fellow. with ragged. untrimmed
hair and scraggly beard. steppeo
forward and flung up my arm.
Drop til" said shortly. Lift that
gun and you're dead!"
At first | thought him crazy enough
to take the chance of my fire: then
the big fingers relaxed, and the rife
fell gathering to the floor. To my sur.
prise. the fellow laughed.
well. I'll be damned!" he chortled.
you here?"
He threw back his head, and l rec.
ognized him-Jem Taylor. old Ned
Cowan. drew quick breath, my
teeth clenched. my arm steady. This
encounter was going to prove no boy.
play.
Put down yer popgun. boy, an take
IT easy-the blame thing mout 20 of.
reckon as how we all hav'n't got
nuthin' ter fight fer. hav' we? How
ther Sam Hill did yer ever gtt we're :"
NOV wait hrCka 4, ,a,a,. uv