The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-05-06


free-he-he loved them both. Della
and Rene had gone down to the Land
ing that night to see If he had re-
turned. We were both OF as afraid to
leave Rene alone-she was so despon-
dent so unstrung. 1t was dark and l
was all alone in the house. Then these
men came. They did not know me
and l did not know them, but l was
sure what they came for. | was ter
ribly frightened, without an idea what
to do-Only l refused to talk. All ]
could do was to pray that the others
might be warned and not return. They
searched the house and then left this
man Tim to guard me. He told me he
was a deputy sheriff from st. Louis,
and-and | encouraged him to explain
all he knew about the case. Then
made up my mind what to do would
pretend to be Rene, and let them carry
ME off instead of her"
"But did you not realize the danger
to Yourself"
mo, suppose / didn't, or, rather, I
did not cure. All thought about was
how to save her. These were law Off
GERS; they would take me to st. Louis
before a court. Then l could make
myself known and would be set free.
They couldn't do anything else, could
they2 There was no law by which I
could be held, but-but, don't you see?
The delay might give Rene time to es-
cape. That was not wrong. was it7"
Wrong! 1t was one of the bravest
things l ever heard of. And l know
the rest-yOur encounter with kirby
in the library. | overheard all of that
through the open window, and how
you learned from him that certain
legal papers would have to be served
on Elolse Beaucaire before any of the
slaves could be touched, or removed
from the estate. That knowledge only
brought you new courage TO play out
your part. But why did you trust me
enough to go with me? And, after
trusting me so fully, why did you re-
fuse to tell me who you really wereT
Her eyes fell before mine, and her
cheeks were flushed.
you think that strange? did trust
you, Lieutenant Knox, and l trusted
you more completely the longer we
were together. But-but l did not
wholly understand. You were endeav-
oring to rescue Rene from slavery. |
| could not conceive what interest you
might feel If l should confess myself
ElOise You were strange to me; we
were there alone with the negro. and
and somehow it seemed protection
to me to claim q drop of black blood.
Twice thought to tell you-the words
were on my lips-but something
stopped them. Possibly, just little,
was afraid of you"
"Then-but not nowT
mo, not now-not even q little; you
have proven yourself all l ever hoped
you would be. am glad-so glad-tC
say to you now, am Eloise Beau
She stopped suddenly, the word
half uttered, the smile fading from heT
lips. my God !" she burst forth.
But l am mott l am not Why,
never felt the horror of it all before
am not Eloise Beaucaire"
n lllOulGbl L sAOOh lAONAOlllNoSt btNlll
ing to hold my breath, my eyes open
struck silent by the intense bitterness
of that cry. Then the reaction came
the knowledge that l must turn hel
thoughts elsewhere.
DO not say that, or even think It,
l urged. scarcely able to restrain my
self from grasping her in my arms
Even II 1t shall prove true-legall.
true-some way of escape will b,
found. The others are safe, and yol
are going to need oil your courage
Pledge me to forget, to ignore thl
thing. l need you"
Her hands fell nerveless and he
questioning eyes sought my face.
"You are right. Lieutenant Knox,
she said frankly. 81 owe my Ioyalt
now TO you. l shall not yield again t,
despair; you may trust me-m
friend"
The day was not ended when w
finally retraced our way across tn
narrow dixie to the mainland. Drt
pared to resume our journey. Tn
passage was slow and dangerous, an
we made It on foot, leading the horses
The woods were already beginning t
darken as we fOrded the north branc
of the creek and came forth through
fringe of forest trees into cOuntr
of rolling hills and narrow valleys
The two girls were already mounted
and Tim and l were busily tightenin
| Al.