The Holbrook news., 1921-07-15

out. Is it much farther?"
 ''To the cave, you mean? Yes, 1t is a hard climb yet, but we will have it easier. I'll be all right presently i; we'll cut some stakes, and make litter.
 'I don't know what is the matter with me-" he apologized, ashamed of his weakness, "hungry, and over strained, guess. Maybe I ought to have left the fellow there."
 "Oh, no, TomI We couldn't do that The poor thing is nearly crazed."
 "Pancha? Yes, know: but she'd be 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 a wild, passionate little thing. I would do anything to save him for her"
 "There is about one chance in thousand. Still he's just about ornary enough to make it. We sure don't owe him anything"
 'I am not so certain of that" she said softly. q wonder when would have known my husband, but for him? I doubt if you half believe all I con- fessed to you now"
 q 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 1t true that you love her your wife?"
 True; of course, Pancha. I told you so even before told her."
 "An' she love youF
 "T am Senor Shelby's wife, Pan- cha" spoke up Olga quickly, a flash burning red on her cheeks. q have no other ambition"
 But the moneyI You rich, he say that, Senor Macklin. You not even care for that?'
 ''Not very much-no. know noth- ing about 1t, and am perfectly con- tent if 1t never comes. You must know what I mean-you have loved"
 "Yes, senora; I have loved, and would still love; money is nothing. Senor."
 "Yes, Pancha."
 'I think as I lie here what it 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 do?"
 "Laud will suspect the truth"
 "'Tis so, perhaps; yet believe we left no trail, senor. It was all rock an water; even the Sioux cannot fol- low that. You know the way now?"
 ITO the cave-yes."
 'It is safe. But if the senor lives he must have a doctor. You tell me that, and there is but one way; I must ride"
 Shelby strengthened up, instantly grasping her purpose.
 You mean you will leave us here to go on alone"
 "Yes, senor; eet Is best. They will not stop me; they will not know. Un- less I meet Senor Laud there is 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 care"
 You are sure you can pass"
 q am sure I will pass" she said firmly. "I ride for hees life, senor."
 It was the better plan, nor could Shelby deny the probability of its sue cess. No one, unless possibly 1t might be Laud, or Hanley, had any reason to suspect her now. It was a long journey to Gerlasche, too long to be 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. "We1l get him up there some way. But you better go now, before | the fog rises"
 ''Yes, senor."
 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, q 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:
 "Panchal I want you, PanchaI',
 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, respectfully she arose to her feet, and faced them, her cheeks white.
 "'Tis all." she said simply, "now I go."
 She vanished without a sound, glid- ing through the fringe of bushes and down the steep bank to the protection of the creek. They were alone, but with their own work to do. Shelby went at his with quiet efficiency. Se- lecting two stout limbs, similar in size and length, he ran these through the arms of his strong corduroy jacket, binding them into position by two cross-pieces, hastily prepared, and lashed firmly with strips torn from his neckerchief. Macklin, now once again r.g-