The Ordway new era., 1917-03-02


and the lips drew themselves into
their old line OF warlike sternness.
She looked again into the face OF the
mountaineer. the feudist, of the Wild
creature turning to stand at bay.
For q moment they remained mo-
tionless, and her fingers rested on
his arms and felt the strain on his
tautened biceps.
Cod" he muttered almost in
audibly.
What is it?" she whispered, but
he replied only with a warning shake
OF the head.
Once more he stood listening then
gently turned her so that his body
was between her and the outside
world. He thrust her back into the
open door and followed her inside.
What is 1t. Anse? What did you
hear out there?" Her face had gone
a grip that indicated no intention of
release.
"Nothin' much. Just the crackin' of
a twig or two: just some steps in the
bush that was too cautious to sound
honest: little noises that wouldn't
mean much if l didn't know what they
do mean. They weren't friendly
sounds. They're after me-"
Who? What do you mean?"
Her voice came in low panic OF
| whispering. and even as she spoke the
man was listening with his head bent
toward the closed door.
He laughed mirthlessly under his
breath.
Il don't know who they've picked
out to get me. 1t don't matte. much.
does it? But l know they've picked
| tonight. I've been lookin' for it. but
it seems they might have let me have
tonight" His lips smiled. and for
an instant his eyes softened again %
tenderness. This was my night
our night
Suddenly he wheeled and caught
| her tiercely in his arms holding her
very close, and now her heart was
| beating more wildly than before-beat-
| ing with sudden and sickening ter
ror.
He bent low and covered her tenn
| pies anu CHeehS anu lips anu eyes
with kisses.
God knows when ! came here to-
night" he declared, talking fast and
passionately. Il didn't aim to ever go
away again without ye. Now I've got
to go. but if come through. an there's
a breath or a drop of blood left in
me, I'll be back. I'm a comm back,
dearest, if live
! Her answer was a low moan.
He released her at last and went
! over to the gun-rack.
Standing before her shrine of guns,
in her temple of disarmament, he
| said slowly: Dearest, | was about
the last man to leave my rifle here,
an l reckon I've got to be the first
! to take it out again. I'm sorry. Will
you give it to me or must l take it
without permission"
She came slowly over, conscious
that her knees were trembling, and
that ice-water seemed to have taken
/ the place of hot blood in her veins.
IF you need It," she faltered. take
| it, dear-nOthing else matters Which
one shall I give you?"
My own!" His voice was for the
| instant imperious. 1t was almost as
| IL someone had asked Ulysses what
bow he would draw in battle. Il
reckon my own guns good enough for
me. 1t has been till today"
She withdrew the rifle from the
| rack herself, and he took it from her
trembling hands, but when he had
! accepted it she threw her arms about
| him again and clung to him wildly,
| her eyes wide with silent suffering
| and dread.
The crushing grasp of his arms hurt
| her and she felt a wild Joy in the
| pain. Then she resolutely whispered: !:
Go, dearest, go! Time is precious
now. God keep you."
"Juanita," he said slowly, q have
refused to talk to you in good speech
l have clung to the rough phrases and
the rough manners of the hills, but
| want you to know always, most
dear one, that I have loved you not
only fiercely, but gently too. No ten
derer worohip lives in your own world
If I don't come back. think of that
God knows I love you"
Don't, Anse!" she cried with a
smothered sob. Don't talk like soft
muscled lowlander! Talk to me in
your own speech. It rings of strength.
and God knows"-her voice broke, and
she added with fierce tenderness, God
knows, dear, eagle-heart, you need all
the strength of wing and talon to-
night"
Then she opened the back door very
cautiously on the shadows that crept
into inky blackness, and saw him slip
away and melt instantly into the
murk.
CHAPTER XIV.
Out there the moon was seffipv