, 1919-08-21

on a tour of the west, which brought
them to the little resort in the foot
hills of the Rockies.
When Inez regained consciousness
she vas lying on her back, a wet hand
kerchief pressed against her
When the nausea that accompanies a
faint had passed she began to take in
terest in her surroundings and discov-
cred that her head was pillowed In
Chester's lap. They were on the shore
of u small lake, on which the moon
light was dancing.
Don't move,' cautioned that harsh
voice. you'll soon feel better"
Horrorsi Remain passive with her
head in a burglars lap? Never! She
struggled to her feet, where she sway
ed giddily but gradually regaining
strength.
Here" he answered, and took some
thing from his pocket. Mind If ]
smoker" And he began filling the ire
volver" with tobacco. ~ dropped my
real gun In the lake while coming
Overland just when it seemed l need
ed it most"
He rose to his feet, suggesting, IF
you feel better now we'd better hike
to the hotel"
His audacity was actually startling.
vas her thought; but she could not
permit him to place himself in such
danger. He had once been her sweet
heart-had continued to be, though
gone from her life, until now-weli
h still felt, but-no, she must not
think of it! In love with a burglar?
Horrible! And then, he must have de-
ceived her by that talk of tuberculosis,
just as an excuse to get rid of her.
He certainly looked husky enough;
still, she could not be instrumental
in letting the law get it's hands on him.
I'm not afraid to go alone" she
told him. Its just a little way along
the shore" h.
She started away, but after taking u
few steps looked back. He had turned
from her and was looking full across
the lake, standing as motionless as a
statue.
"Good-good night" she called soft
ly.
He turned like a flash and caught
up with her.
when can l see you AGAIN." he said
in that harsh voice. "When? l must
see you again."
She shook her head, her caught
herself. What hurt would it do?
"All right" she agreed. Tomorrow
night, right here, at o."
She walked rapidly toward the no.
tel. When the light of the hosiery
flashed into view through the woods
she stol ped, stepped close to the wa
ter and took a ring from her left hand.
She extended 1t over the water, hest
tated, sighed, and replaced it on her
finger and hurried II.
AT the appointed hour the next
night she e to the rendezvous and
found Chester waiting.
"Hello," he said, and his voice was
not as husky as on the previous night.
He saw that she noticed the differ
ence. and explained:
Been taking cough medicine. My
colds getting better"
She smiled. what was it you
wanted?"
He pointed toward the sky, which
was lighted by Luna, assisted by myr-
lads of stars.
Isn't 1t wOnderful-that sky, the
moon, the stars and-and this air? l
love them-and l love these noun
tains. too. You see, they all helped To
make me well. They helped me to
fight the white death germs, and we
won."
She was looking at him intently,
mystlfied, through the semi-darkness.
wouldn't it be terrible to be shut
up, away from all those things?" he
went on. And think of what l did
this afternoon. ! shut a man up, and
he'll probably stay in prison till he
dies"
Are you out of your mind?" Inez
inquired, ~anxiously.- what are you
raving about? Whom did you shut
up?"
"Why, of course, you don't know.
l mean Slim Sam, the hotel burglar.
I've been after him for three weeks"
Chester answered. ~ forgot to tell you
l vas sheriff of this county,
a0a,aA Dak..