The Meeker herald., 1919-05-03

cnses on the great hayrack truck,
full load for Mayville. Then the hired
man went to his home nearer the vii.
lage to get his supper and have
lunch put up to last him through his
long trip.
Suddenly Nance bent her ear and
listened. A scraping sound echoed
from overhead. She thrilled as 1t was
followed by distinct groan. Her
heart stood in her mouth Us she took
up lamp and went up the loft stairs.
A quick suspicion had come into her
mind. 1t was verified as, seated upon
the floor, she made out Knowlton.
"Oh. am SO glad,' she cried spon-
tnneously, and then flushed with con-
fusion. II mean, that you have en-
capped those cruel men,"
Knowlton was pale. one limb was
bandaged from the knee down, but
he smiled with swift appreciation of
the kindness Of that gentle nature.
II was just trying to find something
that would do for crutch." he ex-
planned. ~ feared might compro-
mise your father by remaining here,
where stole in early this morning.
I must get to Mayville and get some Of
the buckshot picked out Of my limb.
My wounds are not serious. but can
not stand on the foot unsupported"
Yes, you must get away, and must
help you." spoke his practical little
friend, meditatingly. "Oh, have 1t!
First to see That the bandages were
In place, then food and water, and
then, Nance supporting him. he was
helped down the back stairs to the
truck, the cover of rear-most box
removed, and within he ensconced him
self
"You are an angel of mercy" he said
feelIngly, as he kissed the fair hand
that had succored him. Nance set the
cover lightly on the box, securing only
two nails.
Inside of three hours you will be
within the safety zone" she spoke. "In
eight ut Mayville. l nm so glad!"
She returned to her room. but only
to watch and wait until the hired man
returned. In the distance she caught
the echo Of some ribald crew In the
town engaged In drunken frOlIc, and
shuddered. She heard the truck
wheels CRATE over the stony rond lead
Ing to the river ford. lnsensibly she
drifted into slumber. her head on the
window sill. to start up wildly ah
hour Inter as the voice Of the hired
man came up to her from the yard
below.
He Ind two horses, wagonless. and
he was shouting excitcdly for her fa-
Their. who came hurryIng out to him.
"What's the trouble? Where's the
wagon" cried Duryea sharply.
Burned up. boxes. truck and all. I
met Blair and his crowd, roaring drunk.
They tipped over the wagon. set the
boxes on fire. and nre now dancing
about the ashes like ficnds and boast
ing that they haze taught you n les
son fm siding with that stranger,
Knowlton, who escaped them"
With wnil of terror unutternble
Nance Duryea sank to the floor sense
less. She was like some crushed flow
err. when she came downstairs the next
morning. Amid his troubles her fa-
ther failed to notice the haunting ter
ror in her face. She was too stricken
and nnguIshed to tell him of the fate
of the man she had befriended.
you're to get ready to have the
hired man take you to Mayville Mt
once" her father told her. ~ shall
follow. It's getting too hot to hold us
down here"
She was like one In dreadful
trance all the way to Mnyville. Her
aunt noticed the cloud that hung over
frame and spirit like a pail. Nance
for several days was confined to her
room under the care Of physician.
She came downstairs weak and at
tenuated. The horror Of that night at
home. It seemed. would never leave
her.
She was reclining Mt an open win
dow. In nm invalid chair, one day. when
a man. aided by n crutch, passed along
the street. 1t was he!
"Oh, It cannot be-" she cried. "Mr.
Knowlton; oh, come into this house."
Just out of the hospital" Bert
Knowlton told Nance. "and bent on
going back to Crofton to THINK you, II
nifty Killers stood In the why.
But you were burned up"
"Qnite the reverse. wns nearly
drowned" said Knowlton. 1.-THE box
I was in fell of the lond MS the wagon
crossed the ford. I foated for FIVE
miles, managed to get ashore. and
But You have been ill?"
She burst into tears Of relief md
glaSiness, and md then her story. and
then
In the tender eyes of the lonely girl
beside him. Bert Knowlton rend
token of love that assured him TINT
that there was no shadow Of another
parting.