The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-08-15

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 glance, he drew
the girl away and seated her upon a
stool, then whipping out his knife freed
Davis and assisted hinf to arise. Arms
outstretched the freed one staggered
to his rescuer, dropped upon his knees
and took her In his arms, while from
pocket the ever practical Indian
drew a small flask and rendered it.
Placing it to the girls lips Davis forced
her to drink a few spoonfuls, and re-
vived by the stimulant the color came
flowing back to her cheeks. Taking
Johns face between her palms she
to her eyes, while unable to resist the
temptation of her lips he drew them to
his own, kissing them. With grunt Of
approval the Indian averted his head.
you are not hurt" she gasped. Il
was in time?" He kissed her again.
"Yes, dearest. You saved me from
a terrible death, and while 1 do not
know how much my life Is worth to
you, it 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 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
protruding he gazed 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 motherly bosom, petting
her, crying "Babby, babby." John,
overjoyed 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 poise, the
baffied pair greeted him heartily.
Boys" beamed the rescued man as
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 a thread since l saw you such
deadfal which stumbled beneath,
and the second time when / was fight
ing buzz saw for my life. l got out
from under the tree unaided, but this
girl saved me from being cut in two
and then it happened"
"What happened?" asked the Spider.
"The sweetest girl on earth gave me
her lips and heart. 1t was worth a
thousand times what had gone
through. 1t has made me so happy
that l am more than grateful that
everything has happened just as it
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
find 1t harder to deal with three than
with one" Ounce for ounce Davis re-
turned the clasp.
Together let it be. We Will piece
together what we can make out from
the papers, and after we have given
Ethel a chance to rest until tomorrow
we will go to work to find the mine"
"That will give Bellas chance to go
to the settlement tomorrow and at
tend to some matters for me. If you
will lend him a horse he will start be-
fore daybreak so as to be back to-
morrow night"
AS the Hawk and Spider left the
room they met Rainface on the porch.
"Going to get that storm door up to-
night?" the former asked. Rainface
shook his head.
'Too dark to work now. Me fix 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
Morgan's dark face.
"You don't go to any village tomor-
row. Sabe?" With a nod of under
standing the Spider said no more.
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
a 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.
'No, John, dear, not right away.
We must wait until we have carried
out Uncle Johns plans. Then if you
insist"
'tInsist!" he cried, kissing her again.
'Then 1 shall not only insist but de-
mand"
''You will not need to demand" she
said, as her hand patted his cheek.
Rainface, happening to pass the
partly open door, both saw and heard
what was going on within. With a