The Clio messenger., 1921-07-14


realized what the strain must be on
her.
The events OF the next hour re-
mained In Shelby's mind more like
some terrible dream than a remem-
brance. He was conscious of being
excessively worn, hungry, tired. His
mind did not function, yet he 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 shoudered the body
and staggered blindy up, stream.
The sky was gray, heavy mist
shrouding the valley below, when they
finally attained the openiog into the
Trail sought. Nothing could be seen of
their enemies, and, convinced that. as
yet, there was no pursuit. H., three
crept breathlessly into the shaaC :. nf
the bushes, dragging the unconscious
Macklin with iitem. cor 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 /, little glrl?" he
muttered, "but geel That was a pull,
and l was about all In. Where's Pan
char"
Back there, where she can look
out Is 1t much farther?"
'To the cave, you mean? Yes, it Is
hard climb yet, but we will have it
easier. I'll be all right presently;
Wen cut some stakes, and make a
litter.
81 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."
"Pancha? Yes, l know; but she'd
be heap sight better off with the
guy dead"
"But she will not believe that. She
thinks II is all her fault, and-and
she is such wild, passionate little
thing. l 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. "I wonder when / would
have known my husband, but for him?
l doubt If you half believe all l con-
fessed to you now"
81 can scarcely realize 1t 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. l told
you so even before told her."
"An' she love your
"I am Senior Shelby's wife, Pan
cha" spoke up Olga quickly, 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. l know moth
ing about 1t, 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
Senor."
"Yes, Pancha."
'T think as ] lie here what X was
best to do. They stir down there. l
cannot sec yet for the fog, but l hear
perhaps. They hunt the burned cabin
an ma no bone, no HeSh. Wnat VIII
they do?'
"Laud will suspect the truth"
,"'Tis so, perhaps; yet I 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."
'It is safe. But II the senior lives he
must have doctor You tell me that,
and there is but one way; l must
ride"
Shelby straishtened up, instantly
grasping her purpose.
You mean you will leave us here
TO go on alone2"
'Yes, senior; eet Is best. They will
not stop me; they will not know. Un-
less I meet Senior Laud there is no