The Monticellonian., 1917-05-10
SIXTH EPISODE
Major Brent'S Perfidy.

Adams hesitated a moment. Then he removed the belt from his waist and fastened it on Pearl.
 Its yours by r-rights, anyhow. Promise me t-that you'll do nuthin' un- til you see m-me again, if I ever show up. And if I d-don't ever see you again, waal, jest keep it. D-do you promise that, g-girl?'
 T promise"
 He gave the horses bridle twist, crying: "Go"
 In second she was out of sight and he leaped into clump of bushes. A bullet dipped close to his ears. He took deliberate aim at the moving shadows among the trees and discharged his carbine three times. An uncertain sus- pense ensued. Then he attempted to cross the open space to steal after Pearl.
 He ran a little forward, firing re- peatedly and successfully with each shot at horsemen galloping up and re- treated to the edge of the declivity with a downward glance at the appar- ently sheer drop.
 One loaded shell remained in the carbine. He bided his moment fired and tossing the now useless weapon at his pursuers leaped into the air.
 He fell upon slightly protruding rocky shelf and drew his body into a natural groove, where he was com pletely hidden from sight.
 T heard no fall !" presently exclaim- cd Granadian voice at the top of the precipice.
 You fool! Who could hear? The depth Is at least one thousand feet. Come have no desire to see an- other dead gringo tonight"
 It was Bolero who spoke.
 Adams waited long time in the si- lence after their departure. Then with difficulty he began the ascent. He was out of breath when he regained the summit and began to pick up the threads of Pearls trail.
 cn~o~of hoprs @iofnr hos came =unon the horse tethered in a thicket in the secluded bottom of the ravine and found Pearl not far away seated under a jutting ledge of sandstone. She was wrapped in the troopers blanket.
 She gave little cry of joy, holding out both hands impulsively. T knew you would comel"
 He returned her hand clasp and in spected her. "I'm going tito build you a fire and het you up. You'll be get ting pneumony, if I ain't careful of you"
 She laughed artlessly. "Why, I'm almost dry and" feeling his clothing, "-so are you"
 Its t-the climate" was his simple comment; and he started to build the fire.
 She watched every movement of this mysterious man. He seemed to be able to accomplish anything he at tempted to do. In twinkling warm fire, its blaze prudently concealed, was burning in a crevice.
 "Het yourself up, g-girl, while l rig your tent" he urged in his homely way; and Pearl obediently sat down close to the fire for which she was truly thankful.
 He set up the tent and, indicating that she might retire at any time, as sumed squatting position before the fire.
 "Who really are you?" she asked af ter long silence.
 I'm not m-much of nuthin', girl he ruminated. I'm as ignorant as 2 c-eow."
 You are and you aren't" she quail fled, shrewdly. You're genuine pug gle. For example-this belt" She stopped, watching him covertly.
 "Yes'm?"
 Explain what you meant by saying that this belt properly belongs to me-
 ''That b-belt. man." he replied, soft ly, after long pause, twas the p-prop erty of the-of Captain Payne"
 She was greatly impressed. "SC that's the secret !" she murmured touching the belt reverently with he fingers. And that explains why Ma jor Brent wanted me to have it. Oh I'm so glad for this explanation. Tha sets Thornton right"
 She rose shortly and with con