The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-02-05

q hard climb yet, but we viii have II
easier. I'll be all right presently;
we'll cut some stakes, and make a
litter.
Il don't know what is the matter
with me-" he apOlOgized, ashamed Of
his weakness, hungry, and over
strained, guess. Maybe l ought to
have left the fellow there"
''Oh. no. Tom! We couldn't do that.
The poor thing Is nearly craZed."
Pamela? Yes, l know; but she'd
he a heap sight better Off with the
guy dead"
But she will not believe that. She
thinks 1t is all her fault, and-and
she is such n wild, passionate little
thing. would do anything to save
him for her"
There is about one chance in a
thousand. Still he's just about Ornary
enough to make It, We sure don't
owe him anything"
II am not so certain of that" she
said softly. Il wonder when | would
| doubt If you half believe ali | con
fessed TO you now"
II can scarcely realize IT Is true, but
belief is not absent"
The mOtiOnleSs girl at the end Of
the rock suddenly turned her head
and glanced back at them with heI
piercing black eyes.
"Senur, is 1t true that you love her
your wife?"
True: of course, Pancha. I told
you so even before told her"
AN she love your"
81 am Senior Shelby's wife. Pan
cha" spoke up Olga quickly, a fash
burning red on her cheeks. Il have
no other ambition"
but the money! You rich, he say
that, Senior Macklin. You not even
care for that?"
mot very much-no. I know moth
ing about II, and am perfectly con-
tent IL II never comes. You must
know what | mean--you have loved"
"Yes, sonora; have loved. and
would still love; money is nothing.
Senior"
YES Pancha."
II think as lie here what Il was
best to do. They stir down there.
cannot see yet for the fog, but hear
sounds. Pretty soon they will know
perhaps. They hunt the burned cabin
an find no bone, no flesh. What will
they dor
"Laud will suspect the truth"
TITS so. perhaps; yet / believe we
left no trail, senior. 1t was all rock
an water; even the Sioux cannot fol-
low that. You know the way now?"
ITO the cave-yes"
1T is safe. But If the senior lives he
must have a doctor. You tell me that,
and there is but one way; must
ride"
Shelby Strengthened up. instantly
grasping her purpose.
You mean you will leave us here
to go on alOneT
"Yes, senior; eet Is best. They will
not stop me; they will not know. Un-
less l meet Senior Laud there is no
danger; perhaps even he will not sus-
pect. or interfere. There are horses
there, and | ride Often-sOmetimes
even up onto the mesa no one will
care
"YOn are sure you can pass"
81 am sure I will pass" she said
firmly. 81 ride for hees life, senior"
1t was the better plan. nor could
Shelby deny the probability of It's sue
cess. No one, unless possibly 1t might
be Laud. or Hanley, had any reason
to suspect her now. II was a long
journey to Gerlasche. too long 10 he
made on foot, and If the girl went
with them up the trail, every effort at
rescue would be delayed.
You are right. Pancha." he admit
ted. "WeIl get him up there some
way. But you better go now. before
the fog rises"
Eyes, senior" ..
She came over and knelt beside
Macklin. who was moaning slightly,
his head resting on a pillow made by
Shelby's coat. AS she bent over him
his eyes partially opened, but with no
light of intelligence In them: they
were dull. lusterless.
''SenOr, senOr," she sobbed pressing
HIS hand between both her own. 81 am
going TO ride for you.'
Some angel of mercy must have put
the words on his lips. for certainly he
knew her not yet faint. fitful. there
came from his lips the cry:
Pamela! want you, Pancha,"
She must have understood, known.
and yet the comfort of that call was
hers.
She looked at him dry-eyed. motion
less; then bent and kissed his lips.
Slowly, regretfuIly she arose TO her
feet. and faced them, her cheeks
white.
"'Tis ALL" she said simply, nov |
CO."
She vanished without a sound, Gid
ing through the fringe of bushes and
down the steep bank to the protection
of the creek. They were alone, hut
with their own work TO do. Shelby
went at his with quiet efficiency. Sc
lecting two stout limbs. similar in size
and length, he ran these through the
arms Of his strong corduroy jacket,
binding them into nOSitfon hv fwo