The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-06-12
CHAPTER v.

He helped her over rough places ana
up the steep climbs. Hand In hand
they ran down the slopes like two
children out for play; their merry
laughter ringing ont torgctfal q inc
recent dangers through which they
had passed; forgetfal, too, OF pcrilous
possibilities before them. II WAS
enough that the day was fresh. tho
sun was shining. their strength re-
newei, and thcy were together. Each
was occupied most with the TACT OF
the other and the day.
They alto their berries before the
heat OF the noon was fully come, n
hurried on. But Holt could see that
his companion was growing weary, for
the excitement Of the night before a
left her shaken. and more and more
she faltered and leaned heavily upon
him I'D the hills. Then he found a quiet
resting place under some trees and
babe her sleep, and while she slept
he lowered not far away.
He found a pool where by a skill
he had long practiced he could catch
some very small fish; and with due
patience he at last secured enough to
make a meal. Then with infinite pains
and his knowledge of woodcraft he &C
acomplished a fire once more and
cooked the fish, SO that when h
awoke there was dinner spread under
q tree-broiled fish, with clear water
from the brook to drink.
Holt was in a hurry to get on, for
he was growing uneasy about b d.
rection they were taking. 1t seemed
as II they were off the regular line OF
habitation and travel. Was 1t possible
he had turned too much to the north
and was set to enter the desert at tho
most remote and lonely part, where
they might travel for days without
meeting anyone? ..
He changed the direction slightly,
and they started or again, the young
man watching the sun anxiously from
time to time. And now he kept the
girls arm. touching her elbow lightly
to be ready with help when ii was
needed. Often he drew her arm within
his own and fairly lifted her ver hard
Places. and so they came to higher
ground and looked out before them
once more. The sun was lower now.
and growing redder as it went down
with ~premonition Of the night. The man
could see that the girls steps were
slower, and that her face was pale
with WEAKNESS, though she said not
a word and plodded cheerfully on By
his side. He could sec that she looked
a~nxiously about on all sides whenever
they came to the higher ground, and
knew that she was thinking all this
time Of her mother. .-- .
The fair, weary face and bright de-
termined c~ountenance touched his
heart deeply, and brought out all the
latent tenderness in his nature; and
there arose in him a great longing to
help her that made him wonder at
himself. 81 's 49,
AT last as they reached another
slight elevation he looked to the west
and to his relief saw a small house
with horses and cattle moving about
in the fields. He showed it to her and
her eyes lighted with joy.
"Oh, that is so good! I was wor.
ried, for I know I'm a burden. You
would have gone the distance twice
If you had been alone"
His hand touched her arm more rev.
erently close.
81 am glad I was not alone" he said
earnestly. "And I'm glad you were
not alone"
She looked up to meet his eyes and
there leaped from each. to the other
a wonderful realization OF the beauty
of the companionship they had held
that day. VI -.- .g.- -.
Eyes, I am glad l was not Alone"
she said with deep feeling, '.for, oh,
it would have been dreadful! And
this has. besn-beautiful." she fin
ished. and wondered at herself for
speaking 80 freely. Then each was
suddenly silent at the appalling reali-
cation that the free companionship of
the day was almost at an end They
were coming to the world OF conyen-
ton and form again. where words and
actions were weighed and motives
questioned. There had been othing
of that here. for necessity and com.
mon peril had blotted them out Of ex
istence for the time, and 1t had been
blessed. Now the thought came stimuli.
taneously to both: Would they ever
see one another again and be friends?"
The way wound down into a ravine.
and the heavy growth OF trees shad.
owed the path. It was rough and Re
guided her tenderfy, respectfully. as
one might guide q little child n
loved. She felt his care in every step
she took, and her heart responded
gratefully to his gentleness. Her own
father could not have been
thoughtful; and there was nothing fR
miliar or presuming in his touch. He
might have been a mother, the tender.
ness he showed. Perhaps Jean felt II
more because she was Sc very tired,
and realized her lonely position o
that night vas coming on again.
In the valley they came to the bank
OF a stream. deep and turbulent; and
standing upon its brink, looking either
way. there seemed no possible ford.
How deep it was they could not guess.