The Adair County news., 1922-04-18

its outer entrance. they could scarcely
be exposed. Even If one or two found
their way in, this barrier Of earth
would block them, and, If necessary,
form the best possible defense. Con-
fident that they had perished, and that
their charred bodies were lying in the
midst of the still smoking embers Of
the cabin, there would be no guard
watching for an attempt at escape. He
reached out and grasped her hand,
drawing her down beside him.
"What is it?" she asked in a whis-
per.
"a fall of earth nearly blocking the
passage" he explained. II have no
idea where the tunnel leads to, and,
If l did, we would never dare creep
out into the open at present"
"You-you think we had better re-
main here?" doubtfully.
until the fire dies down; perhaps
even longer. Let them believe we died
in the cabin; then there may be some
chance for us to get away"
"But they will search the ruins%
mot for some time; those logs will
be glowing embers for hours. That
sounded like the roof falling in then.
It was-see! 1t has crushed its way
down through the floor. There is a
caldron of fire in that hole we just
left. but it can't reach US here-only
the smoke"
"Wil it not show them where we
have goneY'
II hope not; probably the smoking,
blazing timbers will choke up the
opening, leaving it so filled with part
ly burned wood as to conceal it entire
ly. Anyhow, this is our one chance.
We would be shot down mercilessly
outside"
The glare from the burning rubbish
revealed their faces, and the smoke
began to swirl past them In clouds,
yet did not choke the tunnel, showing
there must be an opening somewhere
beyond to the outside. Shelby fast
ened his neckerchief over the girls
nose and mouth, and protected her, as
well as himself, by means Of his coat.
Scarcely conscious of the action they
sat thus, their hands clasped, gazing
at the leaping figures Of flame, and
listening to the variety Of noises
reaching their ears. The position,
while one of brooding horror, did not
apparently involve immediate peril.
The flames could not reach them, and
it was already evident that those
dense volumes of smoke, while dis
agreeable and suffocating, could still
be endured. But being cooped up
there, in that hole underground, un-
able to venture forth, chOked by the
fumes, their faces smarting from the
heat, the earth walls holding them in
prison, death waiting for them which
ever way they turned, brought a
strain to Olga she could no longer
combat. Impulsively she clutched the
man beside her, her head touching his
shoulder, her slender form trembling
to a sudden outburst.
Don't lose your nerve" he whis-
pered, startled by her action, nothing
can hurt US here"
"Oh, 1 know; it is not that" the
words almost a sob. Il do not think
am really frightened; only II want
to feel you near me-"
"Mew he questioned surprised; ;
"why, 1 haven't been much good so
far"
"Oh, but you have; you have been
splendid. No woman could ever ask
fO how Oratn-
full 1 am"
"Well, I don't just like that" he
protested. "There amt no cause for
you to be grateful, so far as can see.
A man who wouldn't stick with his
wife wouldn't be much"
"Are you here just because Of thatY'
"Well, maybe not altogether. Of
course, I'd be here anyhow. 1 wouldn't
90 back on no woman who belonged
to me. But you amt just that exact
Iy. I've somehow got to thinkin' lot
about you lately"
"Truly?"
Sure: there's heap O. things hap
pened since we was lined up against
the wall of that shack down at Ponca
I've found out more what you are
than knew then; an, reckon, you
got a better line on me-"
II chose you even then"
He laughed awkwardly.
"Out O. that bunch! l don't take
that as no great compliment. Say,
that was the Ornariest lot o. cattle
! ever rode herd over"
"Oh. don't know" her mood chang
ing into new interest "There were
some among them not SO bad. Any
how, l chose you"
Maybe you're sorry SINGER
81 am not" firmly. 81 never have been.
See here, Tom Shelby, 1 pretty near
knew what sort of man you was when I
selected you; your face told me that.
You thought 1 just took you so
as to get away. Well, maybe I did
in sense, for l would have done al
most anything to escape from that
life. But 1 never would have gone
with you, if l hadn't honestly liked
| you just the same. You said in the
cabin there that you didn't marry me