Tombstone epitaph., 1917-03-11

hardened and the jaw angle stiffene, and the lips drew themselves int their old line of warlike sternness
 She looked again into the face of tn, mountaineer. the feudist, of the si.S creature turning to stand at bay.
 For a moment they remained mo tionless. and her fingers rested O, his arms and felt the strain on hi. tautened biceps.
 "God!" he muttered almost in audibly.
 What is it?" she whispered. .bu, he replied only with 8 warning shake of the head.
 Once more he stood listening, ther 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 pallid and she clung to his arms with a grip that indicated no intention oi release.
 l "Nothin' much. Just the crackin' of a twig or two; just some steps in the susn that was too cautious to sound honest; little noises that wouldn't mean much if 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 a 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.
 T don't know who they've picked out to get me. It don't matte. much, does il? But I krow 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 o tenderness. This was my night our night"
 Suddenly he wheeled and caught her fiercely 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 ples and cheeks and lips and eyes with kisses.
 God knows, when I came here tc- night" he declared, talking fast and passionately. 'I didn't aim to ever go away again without ye. Now I've got to go. but if come through, an there's breath or drop of blood left in me, I'll be back. I'm a comin' back, dearest, if l live.''
 Her answer was a low moan.
 He released her at last and went over to the gunrack
 Standing before her shrine of guns, in her temple of disarmament. he said slowly: Dearest, was about the last man to leave my rife here, an I reckon I've got to be the first to take it out again. I'm sorry. Will you give 1t to me 1r must l take it without permission?"
 She came slowly over. conscious that her knees were trembling, and that icewater seemed to have taken the place of hot blood in her veins.
 If you need it," she faltered. take 1t. dear-nothing else matters Which one shall give your"
 My own," His voice was for the instant imperious. It was almost as if someone had asked Ulysses what bow he would draw in battle. T reckon my own guns good enough for me. It has been till today"
 She withdrew the rife 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: Co, dearest, go! Time is precious now. God keep you!"
 "Juanita," he said slowly, T have refused to talk to you in good speech. I have clung to the rough phrases and the rough manners of the hills, but I want you to know always. most dear one, that I have loved you not only fiercely. but gently too. No ten derer worship lives in your own world. If I don't come back, think of that God knows I love you"
 Don't. AnseI" she cried with a smothered sob. Don't talk like a 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. eagleheart. 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 setting