The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-03-13
CHAPTER TX.
Sheila's Secret.

OF them was a woman He watche,
the pair with apathy he felt too i'll t.
be interested in anything very much.
But IN a momen he was upon hi
8 feet, staring incredulously at the girl
t The blaze Of moonlight upon her fac,
+, revealed to him-SheilaI
The other man was a Hottentot. A
first he thought it was Bottlejobn
Then he perceived it was a shorter
younger man. He was evidently
Sheila's escort.
But 1t vas Sheila's appearance ever
more than her presence there that as.
tonished Winton. She wore a ragged
suit of khaki, with tail hoots taat
reached to the edge Of her knicker-
bockers, in ner hair was a wreath of
the pungent yellow flowers of the arid
lands, her bare throat was encircled
with a necklace of blue beads, and
there were bracelets of hammered cop
per upon her wrists.
She leaped from her horse and ran
to Winton. did he hurt your" she
cried.
Then, seeing the blood upon his face.
she uttered IN exclamation of fear and
began to wipe it with a handkerchief
that she drew from her pocket.
"You are woundedl !"
ga slight hit on the head-like that
other" said Winton. I'm all right, /
think. Shei!a-"
I'll tell you how 1 came here. 1
heard of the conspiracy. IT was
| planned by De Witt. He meaBf to get
the diamond so that you should not sell
it and raise money. You would have
to go to the syndicate"
"Well, Van Worst has it all right"
answered Winton.
He was still looking in wonder at
the girl. Her whole demeanor had
changed. She seemed freer, more con-
fdent, holder, drawer.
"Tll tell you how l came here" the
girl repeated. 81 learned of the scheme.
Judge Davis Matched it through De
Witt. They employed Van Worst, prom
Using him the diamond. Van Worst
wanted to get d~owncountry. He
agreed. My father knew. They wished
him to have a hand in it, but he was
afraid. Oh, don't think it was loyalty
to you" she cried.
81 warned you from the beginning"
the girl went on. "You should nave
left US alone. 1t was not for me to tell
you that in his fear of De Witt my
father would do anything, betray any
trust rather than risk his life. That
man has bounded us, and some day he
will meet his deserts. But when l
heard of the plan l rode in to warn
you. And l have met you That's ALL"
mo, Sheila," said Winton, looking
at her and feeling the old mad infatu-
alton for her again, mingled with the
old doubts and uncertainties. There
is one thing you have not told me-:
how you came here, or from where
you have come"
eff / tell you, | must tell you What
| do not want to tell you," she an
swered quietly. g" have asked you,
in memory of the honor you did me
In the coach at Taungs to leave me,
and to let me keep the truth from
you. Isn't that enough?"
at would be enough if / did not be-
.ieve that you are the victim of a
Authorization, Sheila," Winton an
"Then you shall know" cried the
girl. In any event, you cannot ride
back to Malopo tonight, wounded as
are. 1t is eight miles away, and
t is only five to my-my home"
There was a bitterness in her voice as
he spoke. IF you can ride, and will
ide with me tonight, you shall know
everything that you want to know be-
ore we part for the last time"
81 can ride" answered Winton. "And
wish to know, to prove to you that
What seems so dreadful to you is a
rifle, something that we can laugh at,
The girls attitude was expressive of
intense excitement as she listened. :
he made nc reply, but, turning to the
Tottentot, addressed him in his own
1ngue. The man clicked in answer,
from his horse, led it to
vinton, and, placing the reins in his
ands, set off at an even jog across
ne desert in the direction from which
had come.
Winton would have helped SheiIa
to the saddle, but she vaulted in
ithout touching the stirrup, and sat
pright On her mount, waiting for him.
e clambered up, and they set off side
side.
The fresh breeze, blowing on Win
ms face, drove the last traces of
lie c%hloroform away. The scalp
ound had ceased to bleed. Winton
TO feel stronger. And he watched
neila, riding gracefully at his side
e perceived that her saddle was Of
e thinnest and most pliable leather,
sr feet hardly touched the stirrups;
le ode like one of the centauresque =
sures upon the Elgin marbles. Who
id what was she? He could not be- /