The Raymer enterprise., 1921-07-14

strongly, inasmuch as he felt he was
nearing the end Of bis strength and
realized what the strain must be on
her.
The events Of the next hour re-
malned In Shelby's mind more like
some terrible dream than q remem-
brance. He was conscious Of being
excessively worn. hungry. tired. His
mind did not function. yet be clung
doggedly to his task. with teeth
clinched. and every muscle aching
from the effort Macklin moaned once
Or twice. but without regaining con-
sciousness, and twice Shelby felt COM
PEELED to lay the wounded man on the
ground. while he regained sufficient
strength to proceed. Once they en-
deavored to shift the burden, Olga In
sisting on helping him to bear the
man. But this proved impracticable,
and again Shelby shouldered the body
and staggered blindly up stream.
The sky was gray. 4 heavy mist
shrouding the valley below, when they
finally attained the opening into the
trail sought. Nothing could be seen Of
their enemies. and, convinced that, as
yet. there was no pursuit. the three
crept breathlessly into the shadow Of
the bushes, dragging the unconscious
Macklln with them. For some min.
utes Shelby lay motionless. struggling
for breath, feeling that all strength
had deserted him. he scarcely real
lied that Olga had lifted bis head
into her lap, and was wiping the
beads Of perspiration from his face.
At last, however, his eyes opened. and
he saw her bending over him. The
mans lips broke into an effort to
smile.
Some soft. amt I, little girlr' he
muttered, but gee! That was q pull,
and was about all in. Where's Pan
char
Back there, where she can look
out. ID II much fartherT
ITO the cave, you mean, Yes. It is
a hard climb yet, but we will have 1t
easier. I'll be all right presently;
Wen cut some stakes and make a
litter.
II 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."
"Pancha1 Yes, l know; but she'd
be a heap sight better of with the
guy dead"
But she will not believe that. She
thinks II Is all her fault and-and
she Is such q wild, passionate little
thing. l would do anything to save
him for her"
'There Is about one chance In q
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. II wonder when I would
have known my husband. but for himl
! doubt II you half believe all ! 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 her
piercing black eyes.
"Senor. Is It true that you love her
your wife7"
True; Of course. Pancha. I told
you so even before ! told her"
"An' she love your
~ am Senior Shelby's wife, Pan
cha" spoke up Olga quickly, q flash
burning red on her cheeks. II have
no other ambition"
But the money! You rich. he say
that, Senior Macklin. You not even
care for thatf'
mot very much-no. know moth
Ing about 1t, and am perfectly con.
tent II II never comes. You must
know what l mean-you have loved"
q "Yes, sonora; have loved, and
would still love; money u nothing.
Senor."
"Yes, Pancha."
Il think as / lie here what II 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 do7"
"Laud will suspect the truth"
"'Tis So perhaps; yet I believe We
left no trail. senior. It was all rock
an water; even the Sioux cannot fol-
low that. You know the way nowr
ITO the cave-yes."
ut is safe. But II the senior lives he
must have q doctor. You tell me that,
and there ID but one way; I must
ride"
Shelby Strengthened up. instantly
grasplng her purpose.
"You mean you will leave us here
to 90 on aloner
"Yes, senor; eet 10 best. They will
not stop me; they will not know. On.
less meet Senior Laud there Ii no
danger; perhaps even he will not sus-
pect, or interfere. There are horses
there, and I ride often-sometimes
even up onto the mesa; no one will