The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-11-13


suspense Of the moment she fell limpy
upon the traveller beside the bound one,
her arm thrown across him as though
to further protect him.
Rainface. old and slow Of gait. came
painting into the room. Taking In what
had happened with q glance. he drew
the girl away and seated her upon q
stool. then whipping out his knife freed
Davis and assisted him to arise. Arms
outstretched the freed one staggered
to his rescuer, dropped upon his knees
and took her in his arms, while from
a pocket the ever practical Indian
drew a small flask and rendered 1t.
Placing 1t to the girls lips Davis forced
her to drink a few sp0onfuls. and re-
vived by the stimulant the color came
flowing back to her cheeks. Taking
Johns face between her palms she
looked down to 1t. the tears mounting
to her eyes. while unable to resist the
temptation Of her lips he drew them to
his own. kissing them. With n grunt Of
approval the Indian averted his head.
''You are not hurt1" she gasped. II
was In timer He kissed her again.
"Yes, dearest. You saved me from
a terrible death, and while I do not
know how much my life IL worth to
you. 1t is yours"
II should have died, also. had been
too late" she sobbed.
Within the cabin the Hawk and Bel
Las sat whispering, heads close to-
gether. Suddenly they sprang to their
feet and stood staring like two men
who see a corpse arise. For before
them stood Davis. his head still bleed
ing from the blow Of the billet thrown
by the Spider. Ethel upon his arm and
the old Indian following closely In
their tracks.
'By the Seven Devils, how did you
he" gasped the Hawk as with eyes
protrudlng he gaxed upon them.
Bridget Wegan entering the room at
that moment. seeing the limp form
Of the girl. rushed to her and drew
her to her motheriy bosom, petting
her. crying "Babby. babby." John.
over3oyed BY the knowledge Of Ethel's
love. missed the words that astonish-
ment had forced from the arch plot
ter's lips and held out his hand to him.
Instantly regaining their polse. the
banned pair greeted him heartily.
Boys" beamed the rescued man ~
he slapped them ON the backs. 'Con-
gratulate me. ] am the -happiest man
on earth. Miss Ethel loves me-yes,
loves me. Twice my life has hung
by q thread since l saw you such 4
short time ago; once BY q damnable
deadfall which stumbled beneath,
and the second time when ] was nght-
ing buzz saw for my life. got out
from under the tree unaided. but this
girl saved me from being cut In two
and then 1t happened"
"What happenedr" asked the Spider.
'@The sweetest girl ON earth gave me
her lips and heart. 1t was worth .
thousand times what had gone
through. It has made me 30 happy
that am more than grateful that
everything has happened just AZ 1t
has, but from now ON life means some
thing to me and am going to count
upon you two friends to help me in
my fight against this fur. coated mon
ster who Is ever seeking my life"
Morgan. again grasping the others
hand, wrung 1t warmly.
Depend upon US, John. We must
keep together hereafter. and he will
flnd 1t harder to deal with three than
with one" Ounce for ounce Davis re-
turned the clasp.
Together let 1t be. We will piece
together what we can make out from
the papers, and after we have given
Ethel q chance to rest until. tomorrow
we will 20 to work to ind the mine"
That will give Bellas . chance to 90
to the settlement tomorrow and at
tend to some matters for me. II you
will lend him . horse he will start be-
fore daybreak % a. to be back to-
morrow night"
A. the Hawk and Spider left the
room they met Rainface On the porch.
A0oins to get that storm door mp to-
nightf' the former asked. Rainface
shook his head
'sToo dark to work now. Ne nx him
tomorrow" Leaving the Indian be-
hind, the Spider addressed Morgan.
what do you want me to do In the
village tomorrow" A thin grin crossed
AorRan's dark face.
"You don't 20 to any village tomor-
row. Sabef" With q nod Of under
standing the Spider said no moro.
From within Ethel's room. she and
John watched the pair depart. Slowly
the arm Of the man crept around her
waist and drew her to him. and with
little sigh Of content she let her head
fall upon his shoulder.
'Sweetheart-let us be married
now" he pleaded as he bent his head
and kissed her. Smiling happily up at
him she slowly shook her head.
mo, John, dear, not right away.
We must wait until we have carried
out Uncle Johns plans. Then II you
insist"
"Insist ~ he cried, kissing her again.
sAThen 1 shall NOT only insist but de-