The Adair County news., 1922-04-25

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 girl?" he
muttered, "but gee! That was a pull,
and was about all in. Where's Pan
char
Back there, where she can look
out. Is 1t much fartherT
ITO 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, 1 guess. Maybe I ought to
have left the fellow there"
"Oh, no, Toni 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 it is all her fault, and-and
she is such wild, passionate little
thing. I would do anything to save
him for her."
~There is about one chance in q
thousand. Still he's just about ornary
enough to make 1t. We sure don't
owe him anything"
81 am not so certain Of that" she
said softly. II wonder when 1 would
have known my husband, but for him? :?
I doubt if you half believe all con-
fessed to you nOw."
81 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 it true that you love her
your wife?"
'True; Of course, Pancha. 1 told
you so even before told her."
"An' she love your
Il am Senor Shelby's wife, Pan
Cha" spoke up Olga quickly, a 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?"
mot very much-no. 1 know moth
Ing about it, and am perfectly con-
tent if 1t never comes. You must
"Yes, sonora; 1 have loved, and
would still love; money is nothing
SenOr."
Eyes, Pancha."
81 think as 1 lie here what it was
best to do. They stir down there.
cannot see yet for the fog, but hear
sounds Pretty soon they win know,
perhaps. They hunt the burned cabin
an find no bone, no flesh. What will
they dOp
"Laud will suspect the truth"
"'Tis so, perhaps; yet 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 If the senor lives he
must have a doctor You tell me that,
and there is but one way; 1 must
ride"
Shelby Strengthened up, instantly
grasping her purpose.
"YOu mean you will leave US here
to go on alone"
'Yes, senior; 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 l ride often-sometimes
even up onto the mesa; no one will
care"
you are sure you can pass"
81 am sure 1 will pass" she said
firmly. II ride for hees life, senor."
1t 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
" SuSpCNl IlCL IL was AOuS
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. Wen 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 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, 81 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, ftful, there
came from his lips the cry:
"Pancha want you, Pancha!"
+ She must have understood, known,
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