The St. Johns herald., 1921-08-25

lSdplnS JelS OI Hume, or nerce StruS- gles hand to hand, of Indians seeking to escape. Sharp-vOiced rifles an. swered the carbines, and a dead sOl- dier hung dangling over the edge of rock; another nursed a bleeding arm in the shelter of a cedar. But the unhurt came on. Some among them had stumbled onto the trail. for soon a squad appeared just below. They stopped and turned over the body of Laud, so as to see the mans face; then tramped forward, paying no heed to the dead Indians. Shelby recognized the major among them, and arose to his feet with difficulty, sup porting himself with one arm about Olga'S shoulder. The major was pant. ing from the exertion of the climb, never glancing up until brought to a halt by the rock, its foot filtered with the dead bodies of savages.
 Good God; look here," he exciaIm- ed excltedly. ''Those devils were pay ing the price," he choked and coughed. "Whew! that sort of thing winds me. Must be getting old, sergeant, yet. by love! I passed the test two weeks ago." He cast his eyes upward, and saw the two standing just above him. 'HullO, Shelby! we are here In time. then. Some good fighting, my boy. Here, a couple of you, give me a lift. I'll never make 1t alone"
 He was hoiSted over the stone con. ing, instantly strengthening up and warmly grasping Shelby's Outstretched hand.
 "NOt badly hurt, I judge, ladi"
 "No, sir; clipped here and there is all, and have lost some blood"
 Mighty glad of that. By God, you are an honor to the regiment" He turned about, and stared down the bluff, his eyes brightening with appre- citation. "Talk about your Alpine cnas- seurs; those fellows of mine could give pointers to a mountain goat. Just look at them come up there. By the way, Shelby, we've got surgeon back there somewhere. If you don't need him yourself, you've got a wounded man here, I understand"
 "No, sir; his name was Macklin, and he's dead. He died before the fight began. Who told youT"
 "A little Mexican girl; seemed to think lot of the fellow. Meeting up with her Is what brought us in here"
 "Pancha-yes; where Is she?"
 The major removed his hat sOberly.
 'I am sorry to say she got hurt wonder by the waterfall"
 Hurt! Not killed"
 "Yes, instantly"
 Shelby drew long breath, and his eyes and those of his wife's met.
 "She is happier that way, Tom," she said understandingly. "Now she will never know. dreaded so to tell her"
 Hays caught the words, his eyes seeking the speakers face.
 "WhO was the man?" he asked short ly. "One of the outfitT"
 "Yes; in no way worthy"
 q thought likely; and you, take 1t, madam, you are Tom Shelby's wifeT
 "Yes," she answered quietly, her clasp tightening on her husbands arm. q am, and also Colonel Carlyn's daughter. We both belong to the Sixth"
 "Carlyn's daughter! Great Scott do you actually mean that? Do you know they have been hunting you from one end of the border to the other? There was a lawyer in my quarters a week ago questioning me about what had become of Sergeant Calkins. Lord, didn't know"
 Tt is true, then, that I am wantedY'
 "They've been trying to strike your trail for years. the lawyer told me. Some money down East which was left to your mother; let's see, she was a-a-"
 Churchill"
 That's it. The first thing you bet ter do, young woman, is to take trip to old Virginia"
 She smiled, wistful look in the depths of her eyes, as they sought the face of her husband.
 Ut is just as Tom says" she an- swered quietly. q am very content now"
 The firing had ceased, and soldiers crowded the trail below the play was ended.
 THE END.l