Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-06
CHAPTER III.

They had planned to drive across the
Cold Greek Mountains and get married
in Walker City, then to motor south
for their honeymoon. Ethel had OBJ
jected little to that long mountain
drive. The road was bad any she hated
the mountains anyway. There was a
storm threatening, and It would be dis
agreeable trip in the rain. 1t was cold
enough to snow.
But Ravenal finally persuaded her.
They left the hotel in the early after
noon with the announced intention Of
going to the nearby mountain village
for the evening.
On the road. climbing the steep sum,
NIT grade. Ethel felt a return Of the
vague doubts brought on by her fathers
seemingly careless attitude toward her ;
Of course, he had detectives watching
her. But still It seemed strange for him
10 go about his business without a lot
Of fuss over her comfort or enjoyment
Her anxiety was in no manner Gained
when the blue rosdster's motor. which
had been running smoothly during the
month she had known it. suddenly sput
tered to a gasping silence while they
were crossing the wooded summit fat
Ethel's nervousness increased It was
getting dark.
whats the matter7" she demanded
impatiently.
II don't know" Ravenal appeared
quite put out Must be the Ignition
III take a look"
But his tinkering failed to produce
a spark.
Gee, It looks bad-and there isn't
one machine q day on this road"
Ethel had ban examining the imme-
diate landscape.
why. there's a house.' she exclaimed,
and sprang ont Of the car.
Rather doubtfuIly Ravenal followed the
girl toward battered log cabin almost
hidden among the frs.
Nobody lives there" said the yorne
man with a queer droop to his heavy
lips. 81 remember noticing that shack
the last time we were over. I'm afraid
we're stuck for the night"
That's impossible!" EtheTs tone
caused the young man to give her 8
quick, sidelong glance. I'VE must go
on-now" With a desperate eagerness
she searched the tiny clearing for a
sign Of life why. there's horses
somebody must live there"
At the sight Of several animals pick
eted in the tiny clearing Rsvenal stopped
short; then he made a movement as II
to return to the car.
And there's a manv cried Ethel
Wen get him to take US down. We
we must get to Walker City"
RaFenal seemed reluctant to advance.
but Ethel did not notice She hurried
to intercept the roughly dressed man
who was approaching the cabin door
with an armful Of wood.
Plainly he was a mountaineer. a lean.
why man, only a few inches taller than
Ethel and fifty pounds lighter than the
stalwsrt Rayenal. His thin face was
covered with a short black beard
touched with gray His eyes raised
in calm questioning were a strange gray
blue
oh" exclaimed Ethel. in rather fus-
tered RreeuDg. "YOu-we-I wonder IL
We could get you to take MS down to
Walker City. I've broke down"
The mans bluish-g eyes swe-;
from the girls face to that Of RaS email
and darted on to the half hidden blue
Of the roadster Then he shook his head
and turned toward the cabin door.
Sorry" he said shortly. f"T haven't
anything here but saddle animals"
Hes q cold proposition grumbIed
Ravenal Let's go back to the car
I've got lot of robes and I've been col
Iecting the makings Of a lunch for sew
eral days"
Ethel gave him q quick glance that
held a hint of scorn and followed the
mountaineer into the cabin
The place had been abandoned for
years. There were big, holes between
the logs. and leaks from the roof had
rotted the rough board floor. Built
against one Will we're two wide hunks
one above the other There were sew
eral rickety cahirs and puncheon table
In one end was n fireplace Piled be-
side the fireplace were several saddles
and a miniature mountain of sacks and
boxes
1--WE can make out with the horses
said Ethel eagerly. "I--weu make out
all right. Will--cap you saddle them
right away, please"
The man deposited his load Of wood
beside the fireplace end brushed the
bark from his sleeves. Very deliher-
atoIy he selected a handful of dry
splnters and produced r match.
sorry he said quietly, 81 can't Ie,
you take the animals''
To Vga Il