Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-09-03

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. IL can go no farther! Can't
weis it not safe to stop for mo-
ment7 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 1t was the only thing to do, rough
as 1t was.
II know. understand. I am not
complaining, Mr.. Barnes. You win find
me ready and strong and"
let me think. must try to get
my bearings. Good Lord. I wish
Sprouse were here. He can see In the
dark. We are OF the path. that's
sure"
aDo you think he escaped"
II am sure Of II Those whistles
were sounding the alarm. He may
come this way. The chances are that
your flight has not been discovered. Do
Jon feel Ike going on7 We must beat
them to the Tavern. They" 4
r am al right now, she said, and
they were OF again. Barnes now picked
his way carefully and with the great
ct caution. he could only pray that
he WAS going IN the right direction.
An hour but what seemed thrice o.
long passed ana they had not como to
the edss Of the forest. Her feet were
beginning to drag; he could tell that
By the effort che made to keep mp with
him From time to time he paused to
allow her to rest.
'You are plucky," he once said to,
her.
Il am afraid could not be 30 plucky
II you were not 30 strong" she sighed.
and he loved the tired. whimsical little
twist abe 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 Jove, I'll believe we are farther
away from the road than when we
started. We must have been going mp
the slope instead Of down."
'.In any case, Mr.. Barnes" she muir
INJURED, 1--WE have found something to
sit down upon"
He chuckled. III you can BE- %
cheerful q all that, we sha'n't miss
the cushions" he said, and, for the first
time, risked a fash Of the electric
torch. The survey was brief. BE led
her forward . few PAGES to q nat boul-
der, and there they seated themselves.
II wonder where we are" she said.
II am inclined to suspect that we
an above Green Fancy, but q long
way on to the right Of II. Admitting
that to be the case. am afraid to re-
trace our steps. The Lord only knows
what we might blunder into"
II think the only sensible thing to
do, Mr.. Barnes, IL to make ourselves
as snug and comfortable AZ we can
and wait for the first signs OF day
break"
He scowled-and was glad that It
was too dark for her to see his face.
He wondered II she fully appreciated
what would happen to him II 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 80 back to Green
Fancy.
II fear you do not realize the ex.
treme gravity Of the situation. We
must get out Of these woods II ! have
to carry you in my arms"
II shall try to keep going she said
quickly. Forgive me II I seemed to
falter little. Liam ready to go
on when you say the word"
'You poor grill Hang 1t all. per-
haps you are right and not I. Sit still
and will reconnoiter bit. Il can
find place where we can hide among
these rocks, well stay here till the sky
begins to tighten. Sit"
SNoi I shall not let you leave me
for q second. Where you 60, ] 60"
She struggled to her feet. suppressing
groan, and thrust determined arm
through his.
sThat's worth remembering" said
he. and whether It was q muscular
necessity or an emotional exaction
that caused his arm to tighten on hers
none save he would ever know.
After a few minutes providing among
the rocks they came to the face OF
what subsequently proved to be
sheer wall of stone. He flashed the
light, and, with an exclamation, start
ed back. Not six feet ahead OF them
the earth seemed to end; yawning
black gulf lay beyond. Apparently
they were on the very edge OF Gilt.
"Good Lord. that was close call"
he sasped. He explained in . few
words and then. commanding her to
stand perfectly still, dropped to the
ground and carefully felt his way for
ward. Again he flashed tie light In
an instant he understood. They were
on the brink Of q shallow quarry.
Lying there, he made swift calcula'
lions. The quarry, no longer OF use to
the builder, was reasonably sure TO De