The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-28

direction, I should look for your friends" he asked.
 .eNo, No! I have walked a long way, a very long way she sighed | wearily, her soft lips quivering.
 His gaze went to her little high heeled slippers of which the satin | showed fresh and unmarred. 'Not very far. think. Yet his glance quested across the eempty l distances in which they stood. She moved nearer him, shiver shaking her delicate frame. "But you will take me where should be? It, is cold here.'' | He uttered an exclamation of self reproach, and wheeled to his horse, ! taking from the saddle a roll of bright-hued cloth. 1 "Please wear this" he urged. | May show you how to put it on?'' | She allowed him to fold her in the | and caught the fringe in her fingers.
 "A serape," she identified trium- phantly. 'I bought one, once to- night? ?'
 "Where?" he seized the thread of recollection.
 She hesitated. and shook her head, her brown eyes interrogating his, as he stood over her. l 'I have forgotten. Does it mat ter much? Have I forgotten who you are, too?"
 'I am Lucian Carril, an officer of the rurales."
 "A soldier? And you will take care of me? You will not leave me here aIone?"
 There was deep trouble in his ex- pression, profound anxiety amount ing to anguish.
 "I will accept the trust you give me- he said quietly. ''There is only one thing to do, and only one way to do it. Will you ride with me to the nearest town?'
 "Yes," she consented readily. "Oh, yes,'
 'It will be bare village, but there will be a station and a telegraph and I can make inquiries. Your friends will be searching for you. surely. I think, "Yes?"
 His steady eyes met hers. 'I think that if you can sleep on the way you will remember better I am going to giva you a lit tie brandy. You have been
 badly frightened. perhaps by rebels r in some attack. It is time or war in Mexico"
 "I do not know-I will do all you
 bid. am sorry I cannot tell you my name.''
 CarrfM had busted himself in ar
 ranging a blanket on the saddle be- ; fore him.
 ? 'If you will wrap the serape around . you we will start,' he advised She obeyed as he mounted. Stoop- , ing, he lifted her to the place before
 him with an effortless strength not
 promised by his slight proportions.
 She had put out her left hand to
 grasp his arm. and the gIeam of a
 diamond in the moonlight caught his . | attention.
 !, You are engaged to be married, ,'' , he said slowly. . "Yes-to Billy" I The familiar name slipped readily = from her tongue.
 'Billy who?'' he asked, carefully | casual.
 : But the care was in vain; the gates !. | of memory had swung shut at once. t ''I do not remember" she regretted. |? Gan you tell whether Billy was
 with you tonight? Can you remember e his face, or where you Iert hin1?' }, She struggled to construct the de
 sired picture, but shook her head r hopelessly.
 V Never mirtd; we will find him. 2, he consoled. l. He did not start at once, however 1T restraining his eager horse. There II was strange intensity in his surve,
 
 y. Der determination in the movemen o with which he finally turned tn sr animals head toward the south. a Though the burden was double, tn,
 riders were light. The fine cava1r. d horse settled into a steady, sw1ngin, e stride and held it, unfatigued. e Nestled in the curve of the man W arm, her head lying against his shou1 - der. Beatrice Arden rested with tn 1t absolute tranquility of a child. Gu re off by lack of memory from fear, con Id ventionality, or even shyness, she la, To in dazed contentment with the mo
 ment. But she did not sleep, as h lg had hinted. m After time she turned her hea, Id so that she might watch his race, in y. nocently and without concealment Tn When at last he glanced down an 7y found her eyes hxe- upon him, sh It. It. smiled up at him serenely. so The character of the country ha ic changed in that two-hour ride. The pps p were nearing the edge of the fla e sands.
 a When Carril halted and set Beat '1 rice on her feet, a small, clear sprin rt lr bubbled from a mass of rock befor ' them. He filled a cup or water fo
 her before letting the eager hors
 drink.
 "We will wait five minutes" he e1
 plained. 'We must not tire out - Alado." I She sighed with fatigue. surveyin o- the horse. In the white light she lool t ed like a creature rashioned of son . | pearly substance, her auburn ha ar burned copper-bronze above the vivi ad serape. ,o+ Have we much farther to go'
 she wondered. st ''No. In short time, we will ,ts where I mean to take you.'
 "He does not look tired. yo, +1a horse."
 Agan the dark shadow of anxie ere crossed, his face. and he allowed h Tor eyes to glance back over the spa ,t :? they had traversed.
 ne must cover many miles pero on morning, if I am to ride him agai
 Do not ask me why,'' as she wou