The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-06-12
,emarked as e went back to the


remarked as go went back to The
bushes 4
jean finished her ablutions, and
washing out her handkerchief, filled II
also with berries; and thus provided
with a lunch, they started on thei'
way.
After coming out Of the woods they
climbed first to the highest point Of
ground near them and surveyed the
landscape In every direction, but moth
ing more serene on & summer morninl
could be found anywhere than was be
fore them. Turn which way they
would, there was no sign Of disaster OF
creek. The soft, green hills on every
side hid the secret Of its location, and
the world lay spread before them
without q hint OF rayage or distress
There was absolutely no way to tell
direction except in a general way by
the sun; and where the wreck had
been 1t was impossible eve TO specu'
late, for they could not tell how they
had come in the darkness:
This gave new aspect to their sit
uation. Holt had been thinking dur,
ing tho night that II they could work
their way back to tho wreck they
would probably reach home more
quickly, for surely by this time q re
lief train must have come. But now
he saw that It was useless to consider
that longer. They must just press on
till they camo to a house, where pos.
sibly they could procure horses, and
certainly information as to their
whereabouts. There was a reason why
he wished to get back to the world as
quickly Is possible; yet something
taught him to be glad that necessity
had given him this day or part Of a
day. whichever 1t was to be, with this
girl
He looked down almost tenderiy at
the bright, trusting face that smiled
up at him so bravely. He had a sud.
den comprehending glimpse Of what
it must be to a girl, such as he could
see she was, to be dropped down into
a strange world. far from home and
protection, in company with a man
about whom she knew nothing.
Tough luck" he said, answering
the question in her eyes, but don't
you worry, wen get out sooner or
later" -n
I'm not worrying" she answered
earnestly, "but / was wishing we knew
how to send a wireless to my father.
i wonder IL some day they won't per-
feet the system so that people can
send messages from anywhere without
any instruments, II they just know
how"
THAT would be great" said Holt.
thoughtfully. I'D send one this minute
to the nearest inhabited point for two
good saddle horses. Can you rider"
"a little. I've never had much OPP
portunity. Father used to keep a
horse, but when we moved to our
present home he had to give it up.
There wasn't really any need for it.
But I'm to ride while I'm away visit
ing my sister," Her face frightened
at the thought, and then clouded:
"That is il we ever get there
"oh, we'll get there all right" said
Holt easily, taking his bearings and
deciding which way TO strike out.
you're Mrs. H~arrington's sister, aren't
your" ? E.aa aa 81. ~
why, yes; how did you known
said the girl with a ring Of relief in
her voice. you know my sister, then"
This was almost equivalent to an in
PRODUCTION, and she knew her mother
would be particular about that. {
81 heard you tell the conductor" he
said. "Shall we start? We've got a
good journey to travel judging by the
look of things. This way" and he led
her down the slope out into the open,
where they could Q where they were
going. .sa.a.Er .. '.aa ..",1
"But you wouldn't have remembered
all this time IL you hadn't known who
she was" she flashed back, smiling.
"How pleased Eleanor will be when
she knows one of her own friends took
care of me and saved my life"
Hollis face darkened suddenly and
he did not answer at C. When he
did his voice was cold and hard like
a sudden storm on a sunny day.
81 don't think she'd exactly call. me
her friend!"a . Ea rd q
His eyes we're narrowed, and his
chin was set with a naughty lift.
"Well, acquaintance, them said
Jean brightly. Eleanor is a lot Older
than you, Of course She was married
and went away from home when I was
just a tiny girl. l haven't seen her
all these years, and of course she's
changed a great deal" -
Eyes, I suppose you'd call US ac-
quainted," answered Holt, still in that
queer, hard voice. Jean felt 1t in
tuitively, but talked on. feeling her
way to surer ground.
81 wonder If my sister has ever men
toned you in her letters" she said
brightly. "She tells me about all the
people," &
Possibly" You could have cut ice
with the sharpness Of his tone. Then
he added quietly: b 81
"My name is Holt. Jasper Holt!" e
He watched her with wide, chal-
longing eyes, but although there was