Catoctin clarion., 1918-05-23

from overhead. she TURNED Us II Vas
followed by distinct groan. Her
heart stood In her mouth as she took
up lamp and went up the loft stairs.
A quick suspicion had come into her
mind. 1t was verified as, seated upon
the floor, she made out Knowlton.
"Oh, | am so glad" she cried spon-
taneousy, and then flushed with con-
fusion. II mean, that you have es-
capped those cruel men,"
KnowltOn was pale, one limb was
bandaged from the knee down, but
he smiled with swift appreciation Of
the kindness of that gentle nature.
II was just trying to find something
that would do for crutch," he ex.
planned. II feared l might compro-
mise your father by remaining here,
where stole in early this morning.
must get to Mayville and get some Of
the buckshot picked out Of my limb.
Ny wounds are not serious, but | can
not stand on the foot unsupported"
"Yes, you must get away, and must
help you" spoke his practical little
friend, meditatingly. "Oh, | have 1t :"
First to see that the bandages we're
in place, then food and water and
then, Nance supporting him, u" was
helped dowA tho back stairs to the
truck. the cover Of a rear-most box
removed, and within he ensconced him
sell.
"You are an angel Of mercy" he said
feelingly. as he kissed the fair hand
that had Succored him. Nance set the
cover lightly on the box, securing only
two nails.
"InSide Of three hours you will be
within the safety zone" she spoke. I'm
eight at Mayville. am so glnd."
She returned to her room, but only
to watch and wait until the hired man
returned In the distance she caught
the echo Of some ribald Grew in the
town engaged In drunken frolic, and
Shuddered She heard the truck
wheels CRATE over the stony road lead
ing to the river ford. ln>enSibly she
drftcd into slumher, her head on the
Nlll''N Sill, W Sltlt Wy NIi'S uii
hour later as the voice OF the hired
man came up to her from the yard
below,
He had two horses, wagonleSS, ana
he was shouting excitedly for her IA
ther, who came hurrying out to him.
whats the trouble? Where's the
wagon" cried Duryea sharply.
Burned up, boxes, truck and all.
met Blair and his crowd, roaring drunk.
They tipped over the wagon, set the
boxes on fire, and are now dancing
about the ashes Ike tiendS and boast.
ing that they have taught you les
son for siding with that stranger,
Knowlton. who escaped them"
With wall of terror unutterable
Nance Duryea sunk to the floor sense
less She was like some crushed flow
rr. when she came downstairs the next
morning. Amid his troubles her IA
thrr failed to notice the haunting ter
ror In her face. She was too stricken
and anguishrd to tell him Of the fate
Of the man she had befricndcd.
"You'rc to get ready to have the
hired man take you to MayNille AT
once" her father told her. 81 shall
follow. It's getting too hot to hold Us
down here"
She WAS like one In dreadful
trance all the way to Mayvillc. Her
aunt noticed the cloud that hung over
frame and spirit like u pail, Nance
for several days was c"ntined to her
room under The cnre of physician.
She came downstairs weak and at
t"uuatrd. The horror of that night at
home, II seemed, would never leave
her.
She was reclining NJ an open win
dow. in an invalid chair. one day, when
a man, aided by n crutch, passed along
the street. II was he,
"Oh il cannot be-" she cried. "Mr.
Knowlton; oh. come intn this house.
"Just ont of the hospital" Bert
Kn0wton told Nance, "and bent on
.nlng r"ck to Crofton 70 thank you, II
fifty Eillers stood in the way.
"Ru, vou were burned up"
"Quitp the reverse. was nearly
drowned" said Knowlton. "The box
was In fell off the load as the wagon
crossed the ford. | hOated for five
miles, managed to get ashore. and
But you have been ill?"
She burst into tears Of relief and
gladneSs. and and then her story, and
then
In the tender eyes of IN" lonely girl
beside him. Bert Knowlton rcnd a
TOKEN OF love that assured him that
tlat there was no shadow of another