Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-09-26

Ellt hVpC " Dt6 SuiS anu ~
protect herself from all but the most
ferocious of the enemies that would
beset her way back to the beloved
hearthstone of Bwana and My Dear.
With the thought came determine
ton to return and obtain the coveted
was taking great chances Of recapture.
But without means of defense and of
obtaining meat she felt that she could
never hope to reach safety. And SO
she turned her face back toward the
camp from which she had but just es-
capped.
She thought Malbihn dead, SO ter
rife a blow had she dealt him, and she
hoped to find an opportunity after dark
to enter the camp and search his tent
for the cartridge belt. But scarcely
had she found hiding place in great
tree at the edge of the bona. where
she could watch without danger of be-
ing discovered, than she saw the
Swede emerge from his tent, wiping
blood from his face and hurting a vol
ley Of oaths and questions at his terri
fed followers.
Shortly after the entire camp set
forth in search Of her, and when Me-
rlem was positive that all were gone
she descended from her hiding place
and ran quickly across the clearing to
Malbihn's tent. A hasty survey Of the
interior revealed no ammunition, but
in one corner was box in which were
packed the Swede's personal belong
ings that he had sent along by his
head mun to this westerly camp.
Merlem seized upon the receptacle
as the possible container Of extra an
munitiOn, Quickly she loosed tho cords
that held the canvas covering about
the box and q moment LATER had raised
the lid and was rummaging through
the heterogeneous accumulation Of
odds and ends within.
There were letters and papers and
cuttings from old newspapers, and
among other things the photograph of
little girl upon the back Of which
was pasted a clipping from Paris
daily, clipping that she had no time
to read, yellowed and dimmed by age
and handling. But something about
the photograph Of the little girl which
was also reproduced in the newspaper
clipping held her attention.
Where had she seen that picture be-
fore? And then, quite suddenly, it
came to her that this was a picture
of herself, taken years and years be-
fore!
Where had 1t been taken? How
had 1t come into the possession Of this
man? Why had 1t been reproduced in
newspaper? What was she story
that the faded type told Of 1t?
Meriem was bafiled by the puzzle
that her search for ammunition had re-
vealed. She stood gazing at the faded
photograph for a time and then be-
thought herself Of the ammunition for
which she had come. Turning again to
the box, she rummaged to the bottom,
and there in a corner she came upon n
little box Of cartridges.
A single glance assured her that
they were intended for tho weapon she
had thrust inside the band Of her rid
ing breeches, and, slipping them into
her pocket, she turned once more for
an examination Of the battling likeness
Of herself that She held in her hand.
AS she stood thus In vain endeavor
to fathom this inexplicable mystery the
sound of voices broke upon her ears.
Instantly she was all alert. They were
coming closer. A second later she rec
Swede. Malbihn was returning!
She thrust the photograph into her
waist. Quickly she slipped cartridge
into each Of the chambers of the re-
volver. Then she backed toward the
end Of the tent, keeping the entrance
covered by her weapon.
The men stopped outside, and Me
riem could hear Malbihn profanely Is
suing Instructions. He was long time
about it, and while he talked In his
believing, british voice the girl sought
some avenue of escape.
STOPPING, she raised the bottom OF
the canvas and looked beneath and be-
You'd. There was no one Ia sight upon
that side. Throwing herself upon hel
stomach, she wormed beneath the tent
wall just as Malbihn, with final wore
to his men, entered the tent.
Meriem heard him cross the floor
and then she rose and, STOPPING low
ran to native hut directly behind
Once inside this she turned ant
glanced back. There was no one il
sight. She had not been seen.
And now from Malbihns tent She
heard a great cursing. The Swede hat
discovered the rifling Of his box. HI
was shouting to his men, and as She
heard them reply Meriem darted from
the hut and ran toward the edge o.
the bona farthest from Malblhn's tent
Two minutes start of any pursuers
was all Meriem cared for. Once in the
trees she knew that she could outdis
lance and elude them.
Her hopes were high. They coult
not oyertake her now; she had had toe
good start of theml
There was smile on her lips as she
dropped to the ground to cross little
clearing where once had stood ma
ytl1aun c,,rronnIn1 hyy 70 n1 Is,