The Rice belt journal., 1916-04-14
QlepED MIST
n LALE OF CIVIL STRIFE Y,
A5oRANDLL PARRISH Y
ILLUSTRATIONS ; 4~CDDI0DES
n c0oN0GHT n
AcHeCzuRc kCo ====x=zz=z!zz.-
CHAPTER Xxll-Continued,

" S4A6Is SASSl, very FORMAL In
expression. as though the writer mere
" performed duty which he consid.
ered unpleasant, but necessary He
acknowledged receipt of a communica.
ZION 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 a certain date
"nere lie would be glad to confer fur.
I"eF regarding the matter. He agreed
10 come unattended, and suggested
lnat Ms visitor use the name of Tay.
lot SO as to prevent any suspicion. The
CLOSING paragraph referred to a for.
NIeE misunderstanding between them
anu expressed kindly desire to blot
uut al memory OF what had occurred.
MY Iands trembled as read the lines.
ana the girl at my side cried softly
ner eyes so filled with tears doubt
Il Sne could distinguish the words
ocaEeely aware Of the action, held
her with my arm, the letter crumpled
between my fingers.
It's all clear enough now IittIe
giri' whispered, my voice trembling
from sympathy. Your father met his
death at the hands Of a treacherous
scoundrel II was a plot carefully con.
celVed' 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, / think,
| also"
Her hands clung to me, but she was
no longer crying, although unshed
tears dimmed her eyes.
II thank God" she falte, ed. that
he sent you to me. ! could not bear
all this alone"
Il am glad you care to have me
here" answered eagerly. 81 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"
/ released her hands gently, began
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 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 a 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"
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 we're 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 ban
kets for the lady to lie on at the foot
Of the bluff, where she would be we'll
screened by a thicket Of underbrush
Then j 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?"
Il hardly know" wearily. Perhaps
can choke q little food down; but
really ! am not hungry. How far
have we conner"
"As a mere guess should say near.
" ten miles since leaving the cabin
BY the sun It 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, may doze later If there iR
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 strange
eonstraint between US. and finally,
hoping to make her feel more at ease.
| ventured to broach the subject which
knew must be also uppermost In her
mind