Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-05-04


which she felt more certain than ever
he alone could give. She was glad
when the thought came to her that she
could look herself squarely in the face
and declare to her conscience that it
had not been back. of her action.
which had been purely spontaneous.
The possibility, although faint one,
that Meade might be working on the
dam and that she might see him on
the morrow would have sufficed to give
her wakeful night. Rodney was more
careful observer than Winters, but
even the cattleman noticed that she
looked worn and strained as he helped
her out of the car for their tramp
across the mesa to the dam.
you know" he said, with rough
and-ready sympathy, 1--WE haven't the
least assurance that Meade is there.
It's only a chance, and probably long
one"
81 shall never rest until it is decided
absolutely one way or the other" said
the woman.
''Well I'm not much of a walker"
said the cattleman. Il generally pre-
fer to get over the ground astride of a
broncho, but I guess 1 can keep up
with the party for two miles, if that's
the distance"
1t was dark and damp and wet under
the pines. Although the two men
cleared the way for her, holding
branches back and shaking the water
off the dropping boughs, it was well
Helen was protected from the wet.
She had tranped hills and mountains
many time, camp and forest were IA
miliar to her. She wore a short
Skirted dress, stout boots and leg
gings, and a yellow western slicker.
The eXertiOn of the upward climb,
stumbling over broken branches and
uproOted logs and flOundering through
boggy places on the trail, brought
touch of color to her face and though
damp, the air sweet and fragrant,
clean and pure, refreshed and pleased
her greatly: the men, too. 1t was Il
hard pull. ard she was out of breath
when she reached the broken coulee,
or ravine, which led to the top of the
big red sandstone plateau.
"Tm terribly out of practice" she
said to the two men, 'but 1 don't be-
lieve I'm in any worse state than you
are, Mr.. Winters"
Il told you l wasn't any good on
foot" said Winters, who was blowing
like grampus..
Rodney laughed at the two of them.
Look at me-" he said, "Pm as fresh
as when began"
! "Well, you're used to walking" re-
turned Winters. "It's this plugging
: : along this broken trail that has
l knocked us out. The rich, they ride
on-bronchos, you know"
when we get on top of the mesa
: we will find it easier going" said Rod
: ney encouragingly.
, LET US start" said the girl, sud-
denly serious, as she thought what
might be at the end of the journey.
Before we go any farther" said
Winters. staring up the ravine at the
=, sky which showed about 1T, 'tjust take
: a look at that"
He pointed to the black clouds rap.
: idly rising. apparently against the
:, wind, which swayed rather violently
= the tops of the taIlest pines. although
. they were protected and in compare.
. tive quiet where they stood in the ra.
.. vine.
3 SIT looks as if there were more rain
: there" said Rodney.
!, 'sIt's incredible" answered Winters
o "after what we've had"
= ''But it certainly is coming dowr
h again, and if I'm any judge, it will be
q another cloudburst."
perhaps we'd better go back" sug
g gested Winters to Miss Ilingworth.
$50 back!' exclaimed the girl
4 "When I'm as near as this?"
Il ""But it's only a possibility. yo1
; know"
+ Possibility or not it would takt
" deluge in my path to stop me
- Come"
% 1t was an entirely practicable climb
r. but rather q hard one on the wet
e crumbling rocks. 1t did not take thu
: three young people long to surinoun
70 the difficulties, however, and after ;
II few minutes they stood on top of tn,
If mesa.
Near at hand was the hut of whicl
e the conductor had spoken. 1t stoot
d upon little rise above the genera
,s level, and from it one could see far il
ar every direction. Between the hills an,
- over the lower crest of Baldwin
N knob they could even see dimly tn
far-off plains, a little sickly yellow
I light still lingering there before tn
advance of the storm.
The hut was made of stone and LOGS
They had not any more than reache
it before the storm began. Claps O
= thunder, flashes of lightning unde
WI which the army on the dam were figbt
MI ing, were heard and seen with tenfol
n clearness by the little group on tn
81 huge upland.
III 1t was sight to awe the very SOL
VA of humanity. Miles and miles dow
W the mountain side and among the hill
n the whirling battalions of clouds role
~ and tumbled and tossed and clashe
NJ like aerial armies. The lightnin.
81 while it was not in sheets, was pra,
IIn tically continuous, fash succeedin
IlV flash in uncOuntable and binding su,
m cession. Again they noticed the strane
!HH coruscating, bursting effect as bo
/ after bolt apparently struck some graz
ite ledge and was then thrown back /
M splinters of fire. The heavy, awful 70
of the thunder was continuous and te
rife.
They stood staring through door an
windows in silence, Meade and the
} quest forgot in the appalling ten
pest by all except the woman. 1t w;
she who recalled them.
Let US hasten on" she said, and 81
de had almost to scream to make herse
lgs heard in the wild tumult. ITS ma
be- nificent, wonderful but"
for AS a matter of fact, all the mar
ion festatiOns of nature at its grande
m would not have sufficed to turn h
ate head away from her lovers face if 81
Wo could have seen him.
- ESVO11 can't on now cold