Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-09-05

in his arms and b0lted across the lit
tie grass plot into the shrubbery. She
did not utter a sound.
Presently he set her down. His
breath was gone, his strength ex-
hausted.
"Can you--manage to-walk little
way?" he gasped. "Give me your hand,
and follow as close to my heels as you
can. Better that / should bump into
things than you.'
Shouts were now heard, and shrill
blasts On a police whistle split the air.
On they stumbled, blindly, reckless
ly. He spared her many an injury by
taking it himself. More than once she
murmured sympathy when he crashed
into q tree or floundered over a log
Utterly at sea, he was now guessing at
the course they were taking. Whether
their frantic dash was leading them
toward the Tavern, or whether they
were circling back to- Green Fancy, he
knew not. Painting, he forged onward.
At last she cried out, quaveringly:
ooh, II can go no farther! Can't
we-is it not safe to stop for a mo-
ment? My breath is"
''God bless you, yes" he exclaimed,
and came to an abrupt stop. She
leaned heavily against him, gasping
for breath. II haven't the faintest
idea where we are, but we must be
some distance from the house. We
will rest a few minutes and then take
it easier, more cautiously, / am sorry,
but it was the only thing to do, rough
as it was.
81 know, [ understand. L am not
complaining, Mr.. Barnes. You will find
me ready and strong and"
"Let me think I must try to get
my bearings. Good Lord, I wish
Spr0use We're here. He can see in the
dark. We are off the path, that's
sure"
edo you think he escaped?"
II am sure of it, Those whistles
were sounding the alarm. He may
come this way. The chances are that
your flight has not been discovered. Do
you feel like going. on? We must beat
them to the Tavern. They"
II an all right now" she said, and
they were off again. Barnes now picked
his way carefully and with the great
est caution. He could only pray that
he was going in the right direction.
An hour--but what seemed thrice as
Iong-passed and they had not come to
the edge of the forest. Her feet were
beginning to drag; he could tell that
by the effort she made to keep up with
him. From time to time he paused to
allow her to rest.
''You are plucky," he once said to
her.
81 am afraid [ could not be so plucky
if you were not so strong" she sighed,
and he loved the tired, whimsical little
twist she put into her reply.
TO his dismay they came abruptly
upon a region Astounding in huge rocks.
This was new territory to him. His
heart sank.
by Joye, II believe we are farther
away from the road than when we
started. We must have been going up
the slope instead of down."
''In any case Mr.. Barnes" she muir
INJURED, eve have found something to
sit down upon"
He chuckleH. eff you can be as
cheerful as al. that, we sha'n't miss
the cushions" he said, and, for the first
time, rislzed flash of the electric
torch. The survey was brief. He led
her forward few PAGES to fiat boul-
der, and there they seated themselves.
Il wonder where we are" she said.
Il am inclined to suspect that we
are above Green Fancy, but a long
way off to the right of it. Admitting
that to be the case, I am afraid to re-
trace our steps. The Lord only knows
what We might blunder into"
* think the only sensible thing 20
do, Mr.. Barnes, is to make ourselves
as snug and comfortable as we can
and wait for the first signs Of day
break"
lie ScOWled--and was glad that 1t
was too dark for her to see his face.
He wondered if she fully appreciated
what would happen to him if the pur-
suers came upon him in this forbid
ding spot. He could almost picture his
own body lying there among the rocks
and rotting, while she-well, she
would merely go back to Green
Fancy.
Il fear you do not realize the ex-
IRENE gravity Of the situation. We
must get out of these woods If have
to carry you in my arms"
81 shall try TO keep going" she said
quickly. Forgive me If seemed to
falter a little. Liam ready to go
on when you say the word"
you poor girl Hang it all, per-
haps you are right and not I. Sit still
and l will feconnoiter q bit. If / can
find a place where we can hide among
these rocks, wen stay here till the sky
begins to tighten. Sit"
"NO / shall not let you leave me
for a second. Where you go, I 60"
= b.