Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-07-17

that to be the case. am afraid to re
trace our steps. The Lord only knows
ghat we might bIunder into"
Il think the only sensible thing 20
do. Mr.. Barnes. II 10 make ourselves
as snug and comfortable as we can
and walt for the first signs Of day
break"
He scowled-and was glad that Il
was too dark for her to see his face.
He wondered II she fully appreciated
what would happen to him II the pur-
suers came upon him In this forbid
ding spot. He could almost picture his
own body lying there among the rocks
and rotting. while she-well, she
would merely 90 back to Green
Fancy.
Il fear you do not reaIize the ex.
IRENE gravity OF the situation. We
must get out OF these woods II I have
to carry you In my arms"
Il shall try to keep going" she said
quickly. Forgive me II / seemed to
falter little. Liam ready to go
on when you say the word"
you poor grit Hang Il all, per-
haps you are right and not !. Sit still
and win reconnoIter a bit. II can
find a place where we can hide among
these rocks. wen stay here til the sky
begins to tighten. Sit"
"Nol shall not let you leave me
for a second. Where you go. / CO."
She struggled to her feet. suppressing
a groan. and thrust n determined arm
through his.
that's worth remembering" said
he, and whether Il was a muscular
necessity or an emotional exaction
that caused his arm to tighten on hers,
none save he would ever know.
After a few minutes prOwling among
the rocks they came to the face of
what subsequently proved to be n
sheer wall of stone. He flashed the
light, and. with an exclamation, start
ed back. Not six feet ahead of them
the earth seemed to end; a yawnIng
black gulf lay beyond. Apparently
they were on the very edge of a cliff.
"Good Lord. that was a close call"
he gasped. He explained in few
| words and then, commanding her to
stand perfectly still. dropped to the
ground and carefully felt his way for.
ward. Again he flashed the light. In
an instant ne understood. They were
on the brink of q shallow quarry.
Lying there, he made swift calcula-
tons. The quarry, no longer OF use to
the builder. was reasonably sure to be
abandoned. In all probability some
sort of a stone-cutter's shed would be
found nearby. II would provide shelter
from the fine rain that was falling and
from the chill night air. Tie remem
bered that ODowd. In discussing the
erection of Green Fancy the night be
fore, had said that the stone came
from n pit two miles away. where a
fine quality Of granite had been found
Two miles. according to Barnes quick
calculations, would bring the pit close
to the northern boundary of the Curtis
property and almost directly on line
with the point where he and Sprouse
entered the meadow ut the beginning
Of their advance upon Green Fancy
That being the case. they were now
quite close to the stake and rider fence
separating the Curtis land from that
Of the farmer on the north.
Good" ne said, more to himself
than to her. II begin TO see light. Are
you afraid to remain here while I 60
down there for a look around7
sha'n't be gone more than n couple of
minutes"
''The way feel at present" she
said. jerkily. 81 shall never, never from
this instant till the hour in which ]
die. let 60 OF your coat-tails, Mr..
Barnes" Suiting the action to the
word, her fingers resolutely fastened,
not upon the tail of his coat but upon
his sturdy arm. 81 wouldn't stay here
alone for anything in the world"
'Heaven bless yOu." he exclaimed.
suddenly exalted. "And. since you put
1t that way. shall always contrive to
be within arms length"
And so. together, they ventured
along the edge of the pit until they
reached the wagon road Mt the bottom.
As he had expected, there was a ram
shackle shed hard by It was not
much of a place. but Ii was deserted
and safe shelter for the moment.
A wOrkman's bench lay on its side In
the middle OF the earthen floor. He
righted It and drew 1t over to the
boarding. She laid her head
auofn0f his chouIdar amd cf~No.s ,aaorI,,
He kept his eyes glued on the
door and listened for the first Ominous
sound outside. A long time afterward
she stirred.
Are you cold? You are wet"
1T was the excitement, the nervous
ness, Mr.. Barnes" she said, drawing
slightly away from him. "Isn't it near.
" daybreakT'
He looked at his watch. three
O'clock" he said.
There ensued another period of ST.
fence. She remained slightly aloof.
You'd better lean against me-" he
said at last. II am softer than the
beastly boards, you know, and quite M
harmless"
Thank yOu," she said, and promptly
settled herself against his shoulder.
ut Is better" she sighed.
would yOu mind telling me some
thing about yourself, Miss Cameron?
should like to know whether / am to
address you as princess, duchess, Or
just plain Miss"
Il am more accustomed to plain
Miss, Mr.. Barnes. than to either of
the titles you would give me-"
Don't you feel that am deserving
OF little enlightenment? he asked. 81
am working literally as well as fig.
uratively In the dark. Who are youi
Why were you a prisoner at Greer
Fancy7 Where and what Is your ma
tive landT'
~Ar. Barnes, cannot answer ans
one OF your questions without jeopar
dizing cause that is dearer to me
than anything else In all the world. J
am sorry. ] pray God n day may soon
some when I can reveal everything to