Washington telegraph., 1921-03-04


strongly, inasmuch as he felt he was
nearing the end of his strength and
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 remem-
brance. He was conscious of being
excessively worn, hungry, tired. His
mind did not function. yet he cung
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 bllndly up stream.
The sky was gray, 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
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 I, little girl?" he
muttered, but gee That was a pull.
and | was about all In. Where's Pan
cha?"
Back there, where she can look
out. Is it much farther?"
"To the cave, you mean? Yes, It is
a hard climb yet but we will nave 1t
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 apOlOglzed, 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 a heap sight better Off with the
guy dead"
But she will not believe that. She
thinks It is all her fault, and-and
she Is such n wild, passionate little
thing. | would do anything to save
him for her"
''There is about one chance in a
thousand. Still he's just about ornary
enough to make It, We sure don't
owe him anything"
81 am not so certain of that" she
said softly. ~ wonder when | would
have known my husband, but for him7
I doubt II you half believe all con
fessed TO you now"
II can scarcely realize It is tru<. 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. l told
you so even before I told her"
"An' she love your
81 am Senior Shelby's wife, Pan
cha" spoke up Olga quickly, flash
burning red on her cheeks 81 have
no other ambition"
But the money You rich, he say
that. Senior Macklln. You not even
care for thatT'
mot very much-nO. | know moth
ing about it, and am perfectly con
tent IL It never comes. You must
know what | mean-you have loved"
"Yes, sonora; | have loved, and
would still love; money is nothing.
Senior"
"Yes, Pancha."
'I think as I lie here what II was
best 10 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 I believe we
left no trail, senior. IT was all rock
an water; even the Sioux cannot fol-
low that. You know the way now?"
ITO the cave-yes."
at is safe. But If the senior lives he
must have a doctor. You tell me that, |
and there is but one, way; | 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 win not sus-
pect. or interfere. There are horses |
there, and ride often-sometimes |
even I'D onto the mesa; no one will |