The Dolores star., 1920-04-09

filed with mingllng Of wonderment
and pain.
"Why. of course. We thought II
best not to go until after we could see
the lawyer. l could not believe my
father had neglected to set those two
free-he-he loved them both. Deiia
and Rene had gone down to the Land
Ing that night to see II he had re-
turned. We were both of us 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 / did not know them, but was
sure what they came for. ! was ter
ribly frightened. without an Idea what
to do-only I refused to talk. All 1
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 lie
was deputy sheriff from st. Louis,
and-and I encouraged him to explain
all he knew about the case. linen
made up my mind what to do would
" Dt Nth'r hhu ''A 'hNh
me OF instead of her.
"But did you not realize the danger
to yourselff"
mo, suppose | didn't. or, rather. l
did not care. All l thought about was
how to save her. These were law ofii-
GERS; they would take me to st. Louis
before court. Then l could make
myself known and would be set free.
They couldn't do anything else, could
they? There was no law by which
could be held but-but. don't you seef
The delay might give Rene time to es-
cape. That was not wrong was IT."
"Wrong. 1t was one OF the bravest
things | ever heard of. And / know
the rest-your encounter with Kirby
in the library. I overheard all Of that
through the open window. and how
you learned from him that certain
legal papers would have to be served
on Eloise 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 were?'
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
I,tt b,,t a ,nt
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 ii seemed protection
TO me to claim n drop Of black blood.
Twice thought to tell you-the words
We're on my lips-but something
stopped them. Possibly, just little. l
was afraid Of you"
"Then-but not now?"
mo, not now-not even n little: Won
have proven yourself all ever hoped
you would be. l nm glad-so glad-to
say to you now. l am Eloise Beau"
She stopped suddenly. the word
half uttered, the smile fading from her
lips. MY Cod" she burst forth
But l am not. l am not! Why, 1
never felt the horror of 1t all before-I
am not Eloise Beaucaire!"
moment stood motionless, SEEM
ing to hold my breath. my eyes open,
struck silent by the intense bitterness
Of that cry. Then the reaction came,
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-legally
true-some way of escape will be
found. The others are safe, and you
are going to need ull your courage.
Pledge me to forget, to ignore this
thing. / need you"
Her hands fell nerveless and her
questioning eyes sought my face.
you are right. Lieutenant Knox"
she said frankly. Il owe nv LOYALTY
now to you. shall not yield again to
despair; you may trust me-my
friend"
The day was not ended when we
hnally retraCed our way across the
narrow dixie to the mainland. pre.
pared to resume our journey. The
passage was slow and dangerous. and
we made 1t on foot. leading the horses.
The woods were already beginning to
darken as we forded the north branch
OF the creek and came forth through a
fringe Of forest trees into a country
or rolling hills and narrow valleys.
The two girls were already mounted.
and Tim and I were busily tightening
the straps for nights ride, when,
from behind us. back In the direction
or the peninsula we had Just Quilted.
there sounded the sharp report of
rifle. We Strengthened up. startled, and
our eyes met. There could be but one
conclusion-0ur pursuers had found
the trail.