The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-11-30


knife on me got hurt, I guess. Then
the rebels after the room was dark"
Mercedes pressed close to him,
touched his hands. looked up into his
face with wonderful eyes. He thought
he would not soon forget their beauty
the shadow Of pain that had been,
the hope dawning so fugitively.
dear lady," said Gale. with voice
not wholly steady, "Itojns himself
VIII hound you no more tonight, nor
for many nights"
She seemed to shake. to thrill, to
rise with the intelligence. She pressed
his hand close over her heavlng breast.
Gale felt the quick throb Of her heart.
"Senor! Scnor Dicl" she cried.
Then her voice fpilnd. But her
hands flew up; quick Us flash she
raised her facc-kissed him. Then
she turned and with Il sob fell into
Thornes arms.
There cnsucd silence broken only
by Mercedes sobbing. Gale walked
some pnceS away. If he were not
stunned, he certainly was ngitnted
The strange, sweet fire OF that girls
lips remained With him. On the spur
OF the moment he Imagined he had
jealousy of Thornc But presently
this passed. What remained with him
was the splendid glow Of glndncSs
that he had been Of service to Thornc.
Dick. Dick, come hcrc!" called
Thornc softly. Lets pull ourselves
together now. We've got n problem
yet. What to do? Whore to go? flow
to got any place? We're on good old
L. 5. ground this minute, but we're
not out of danger"
AS he paused, evidently hoping for
Il suggestion from Gale. the silence
was broken by the clean, ringing peal
Of buglc. Thorne gave violent
start
ITS call, Dick! It's CALI" he
cried.
Gale had no answer to make. Nor.
codes stood as If stricken. The bugIc
call cndc'l. From Il distance another
family pealcd. There were other
sounds too remote to recognize Then
scattering shots ratified out.
dick, the rebels are fighting some
body" burst out Thorne cxcitc,ly.
"rhc little federal garrison still holds
lis stand. Perhaps it is attacked
again. Anyway. there's something do.
ing over tho line. Maybe the crazy
Grcnscrs arc firing on our camp.
We've feared lt--in the dark.
And here | am, away without leave
practically Il dcScrtrr!"
Go back! Go back, before you're
too late!' cried Mercedes.
"Bcttcr make tracks, Thornc, /"
added Gale. "It can't help our pre-.
dcamcnt for you to hc arrested. III
take care Of Mercedes"
mo, no, no." replied Thornr. az
can get nway--avoid arrest"
Mercedes embraced l.nr lover.
begged him to 20. Thornc wavcrcd.
"Dick, I'm up against it," he said.
you're right If only ! can run back
in time. But, oh, ! hate to leave her
Old fclow, you've saved ger. M.
,rra!y owe YOU everlasting gratitude.
Keep ont Of CnSitn. Dick. The u. s.
side might be safe. but I'm afraid to
trust il at night Go out in the dos
"t. up In the mountains, in some safe
place Then como to mo i'm camp
Wen plan. III have to confilc in
Colonel Wccdc. Maybe he'll hclp us
Hide her from the rcbclS-t that's nn"
He wrung Dicks hand, clnSpcd Mcr-
rrdrs tightly in his arms, Kissed her
and murmurcd low over her, then re.
leased her to rush off into the dark.
ness, lie disappeared In the gloom.
The sound Of his dun footballs grndu.
ally died away.
Gale realized that he was between
the edge Of an unknown desert and
the edge Of q hostile town. He had
to choose the desert because, though
he had no doubt that III Cnsltn there
were many Americans who might he
friend him, he could not chance the
RISKS of seeking them ut night.
ne FELT slight touch on his arm,
felt 1t move down. felt Mercedes slip n
trembling cold little hand into his.
DICK looked nt her. If the loneliness,
the silence, The desert, The unknown
dangers of the night affected him.
what must they be to this hunted.
driven girl? Gales heart swcllcd. He
was alone with her. Ic had no wcnp.
on, no money. no food, no drink, no
covering, nothing except his two
hands. He did not know where to
flnd the railroad. or pny road or trail,
or whether or not there were towns
near or far. 1t was 81 critical dcS-
Eer'''r situation. lie thought first OF
thr girl, and groancd I'm spirit, prayed
mat 1t would be given him to save
hcr. When he remembered himself II
was with the stunning consciousness
that he could conceive Of no situation
which he would have exchanged for
1hiS where fortune had set him
Il DprilOuS task Of lovnIiy RI a fr;o,,,