The Arizona copper camp., 1920-02-21
CHAPTER Viii.

Mduge ana Allen were Sitting on
the very rock from which the two girls
had been kidnapped. For a long time
they held each others eyes. Without
self-consciousness they looked at each
other in admiration. It was Allen who
broke the sweet silence.
"Madge, | cannot help telling you
that I have enjoyed this trip to the
Rockies far more than anything I
have done, and this visit to the mine
and the Lonesome Trail as you call
it, gives me the happiest moments Of
my life"
AS he finished speaking Madge
looked down and deep flush made
her more beautiful than ever. 81, too,
have enjoyed it," came the reply. Then
almost in the same breath she con-
tinued, ''But won't you please tell me
about the green veil?" AS she con-
cluded Madge looked up with appeal
ing eyes Of bewilderment.
"That's what seems to perplex you,
is ft?" asked Allen as the last echo
of his silvery laugh sounded far off
down the mountain. "Well, as the old
saying goes" he continued, 'there is
nothing like making a clean breast Of
it, so here goes. You see, Scott league
and were out hunting old Silver King
"a man-killing grizzly bear. AS you
know, Morrison creek is up close to
the divide and there is deep snow on
this side of the mountain until late in
the summer. A heavy crust freezes
over it at night and the bear being a
wise animal, stays around his den all
day waiting for the crust to form,
then he travels. The sun beats down
on the snow and the reflection is not
only binding but it burns the flesh.
Hence the green veil. And as for that
hold-up, there was no frame-up about
it. While following large timber
wolf and trying to get a shot at him
we turned the bend at Finger rock.
You know the rest"
AS Allen finished speaking he noted
a smile steal over Madge's face, and
like the great boy that he was, he
burst out in another one of those ring
ing laughs.
"But, do you think going about the
mountains holding up stage coaches
the conduct Of gentleman" queried
Madge in doubtful tone, as she gave
him look of reproach.
''The witness declines to incriminate
himself" Allen replied.
Then they locked at each other and
the whole world seemed to smile.
"Your father will arrive tomorrow,
Madge, and then suppose your time
will all be given to him."
"Well, not all my time to dear old
daddy, for you see Mr.. Fancher,
friend, is coming with him."
She cast furtive glance out Of the
corner of her eye. For the first time
In his life Allen felt pang of jeal-
ousy. He tried to speak, but gave
1t up.
Reaching into his. pocket, Allen
drew forth something shining and
held it out to Madge. "Oh, my re-
volver" was her exclamation of de-
light. Then a change came over her
face
"Tm sorry I cannot return your re-
volver," she said, "as it was taken
from me when I was captured"
"Dont let that worry you, Madge."
Allen then produced the little blue
steel pistol that Madge had looked
upon with so much interest. "Scott
league" he explained, "found it on
Mexican Mike, all properly loaded"
"That is the way I carried it," re-
piled Madge. "But," she continued,
sit does seem as though the revolver
hasn't accomplished much for me. And
yet 1 would feel lost without it."
A pistol shot rang out as a small
rock went flying off the ground.
"Good shotw exclaimed Allen; "you
certainly do know how to shoot. Guess
it was a good thing for me when I re-
moved those cartridges from that old
gun of mine before exchanging with
you"
With a fascinating smile Madge
said: Perhaps 1 am more dangerous
than I look"
"What! You dangerous?" exclaimed
Allen as he grasped her little hand in
his. "Why, Madge dear, you are the
most kindly woman in the world. I
love you! I have loved you from the
first moment l looked into your soul
stirring eyes. 1t was love at first
sight Since then l have done nothing
but dream of you night and day. Tell
me, Madge, there is hope!"
With downcast eyes Madge sat in
silence-her soul being thrilled as she
felt his hand tremble. Such was the
true love she had dreamed of-tWin
souls that speak as one.
Quietly she withdrew her hand and
gently she took his arm and silently
placed it about her slender waist. The
two forms thrilled like an electric
flash Allen held her against him and
kissed her passionately.
Ion por mo