Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1921-02-17
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so | thought. Then we must get
under cover before daylight. Dawn is
not far off from the looks of the sky"
He paused suddenly. what kind of a
looking guy is Hanley?"
"Hc tall, scrawny, red w~hiskers."
"Then 1 got him; plugged the fellow
through the arm. He won't want any
more for awhile. Come, let's move
on" he added impatiently. Its do
ing no good to remain here and stare
at that fire, and it is no light load
I've got on my back"
The way was a rough one, strewn
with stones, but we'll protected by
high banks, on either side. Pamela
seemingly knew every inch of it, for
she advanced confidently, selecting the
easier path. So they came to the end
of the cleft, where it terminated at
the bank of the creek.
The light from the slowly CRAVING
sky overhead scarcely penetrated the
depths Of the ravine, and to the bur
den Of carrying the heavy body of
Macklin was added the WEAKNESS of
the frequent stumbling over the stones
with which the path was strewn. Olga,
j fighting off the deadly faintness which
threatened every moment to overcome
her, bore her share Of the burden with
! a courage that moved her husband
! strongly, inaSmuch as he felt he was
nearing the end of his strength and
| fn1livn1 what tho Strpip y,,y-t 1n rp
i her.
: The events of the neXt hour re-
manned in Shelby's mind more like
some terrible dream than n remem-
brance. He was conscious of being
excessively worm, hungry, tired. His
{ mind did not function, yet he chung
~doggedly to his task, with teeth
| clinched, and every muscle aching
from the effort. Macklin moaned once
or twice, but without regaining con-
seriousness, 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, Il heavy mist
shrouding the valley below, when they
finally attained the opening into the
trail sought. Nothing could be seer of
their enemies, and, convinced that, as
yet, there was no pursuit. the three
crept b~reathlessly into the shadow Of
the bushes, dragging the unconscious
Macklin 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 his 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 1. little grip he
muttered, but gee! That was a pull,
and I was about all in. Where's Pan
chap
Back there, where she can look
out. Is it much farther?"
"To the ave, you mean? Yes, it is
easier. I'll be all right presently (;
We'll cut some stakes. and make a
litter.
81 don't know what is the matter
with me- he HpOlO~iZeu. ashamed OF
his weakness. hungry, and over
strained. | @,lr>~. Maybe I ought 70
nave left the fellow %tl!err.'
"Oh, no. Tom. We r"urltln', do that.
The poor thing is nearly claZeI."
"Pnncha? Yes, | Enow: but she'd
he IL heap sight better off with the
guy dead"
Put she VII! not believe that. She
thinks it is AL her fault. and-and
she is such y Wild. passionate little
thing. | wonld 10 anything to save
him for her"
There is about one chance il a
thousand. Still he's just about ornary
enough to make it. We sure don't
w him anything"
L uliI ilti 81 ttIitlll VI tlldl. she
said softly. Il wonder when | would
have known my husband. but for him?
| doubt if You half believe all l 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 wife?'
"True; of course, Pancha. I told
you so even before l told her"
AN she love you?
81 am Senior Shelby's wife, Pan
Cha" spoke up Olga quickly, Il 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 that?"
"Not, very much-no. I know moth
ing about it, and am perfectly con-
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