The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-04-14
CHAPTER xxII-Continued.

IL was Single sheet, very IOTmaI ii
expression. as though the writer mere
ly performed duty which he consid
cred unpleasant. but necessary He
acknowledged receipt of a communica
ton reaching him at Ramsay's head
quarter apparently an application fol
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
tner regarding the matter He agreed
10 come unattended, and suggested
that his visitor use the name of Tay.
iof SO as to prevent any suspicion. The
closing paragraph referred to a for
mer misunderstanding between them.
and expressed kindly desire to blot
out all memory of what had occurred.
My hands trembled as read the lines.
and the girl at my side cried softly,
her eyes so filled with tears | doubt
II she could distinguish the words.
Scarcely aware of the action. I held
her with my arm, the letter crumpled
between my fingers.
IT'S 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. l 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
tenfng?"
yes; ] will do just as you say"
1T will be best to go; safer, l think,
also"
Her hands chung to me, but she was
no longer crying, although unshed
tears dimmed her eyes.
Il thank Cod" she faltered, that
he sent you to me. | could not bear
all this alone"
II am glad you care to have me
here" l answered eagerly. Il was half
afraid you did not"
"Oh, but do; / cannot tell you all
1t means. II think have never felt
more helpless. or-or discouraged"
1T is the strain of so much occur.
ring at once, end 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"
/ released her hands gently. began
a swift search, and found all we re-
CURED. l 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 a 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 a brook plunged
over stony bed. There was no trail
visible, but it 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 cam"
jailed back to her, land keep at the
'ock edge so as to leave no trail"
A safer place surely could not have
'een founo. We were in narrow de-
lie, scarcely fifty feet across. and
guarded on either side by high rock
walls, precipitous, and exhibiting no
ign of trail. / picketed the horses !
lose to the stream and spread blan.
let's for the lady to lie on at the foot
t the bluff, where she would be we'll
creened by thicket of underbrush
hen / came back to where she sat ,
ilently against the bole of a large :
rec, watching my movements.
mo doubt we are safe enough here" 6
said. opening the pack. But I'll not
SIX fire; you can eat, suppose?"
Il hardly know" YEARLY. Perhaps =
can choke little food down; but
eally | am not hungry. How far q
ave we Gomez" I
"As mere guess should say near
ten miles since leaving the cabin. f
y the sun it must be nine O'Clock. C
at what you can and then lie down
l the blankets and rest We will not X
ave here until just before dark" a
And your"
"Oh, / may doze later If there ia Il
, alarm; shall never be far away" u
She ate of the coarse food daintily, D
'parently without appetite, but | did e
II justice to the meal, satisfied, for d
9 time being at least, that we were q
curely hidden. There was q strange 81
nstraint between us. and, finally,
ping to make her feel more at ease,
ventured to breach the subject which
NEW must be also uppermost in her
nd.
1T is an odd situation in which we fl!
d ourselves" ! began awkwardly, m
/ eyes on the ground, but ! hope ia
u-you will not feel embarrassed tn
OR fail to have complete conf fl
nee In me. IL have no wish to m
re any advantage; or-or assume Sc
Y authority" fis
stopped, unable to express the
ng | desired to say, and the silence tn
med long. | lifted my eyes and trs