The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-21

one just ahead in that patch of timber and there is another just above us."
 Dona did not reply for . mo- ment. "T'll get down and walk out into the open" she said firmly.
 q have something to say to you" Stan interrupted.
 Mot now!" Dona was suddenly afraid of what he was about. to tell her.
 T have to get it off my chest" |" he insisted.
 "But you are literally surround ed and may be shot at any minute.' Dona was on the verge of nervous collapse again.
 "I'm used to tight pinches. This isn't half bad" Ball smiled evenly.
 "Take the horse and make a break back up the trail,' Dona al- most pleaded.
 "Not until I tell you" He held her in the saddle when she started to slide to the ground. | Please go!" she begged. Visions of the last few hours, of Swergin's gang and the narrow escape this man had made from lynching were ] flaming before her eyes. She did 1 not care what he was or what he had done, she wanted him to live. With an unreasinong urge Dona wanted him to escape unharmed.
 "I couldn't get a 100 yards on horseback" Ball spoke calmly, looking up at her.
 Hurry! Tell me-" she cried. | 1T give you my promise on oath to leave this country and not to re- turn" he said, holding her eyes. l Then go!" she urged. | 'I'll send you down to the camp on the mare but I'll have to have her to get away" He hesitated a second then hurried on. "I'1l come down to the patch of timber behind the main building tonight at g Can you have the mare there?" | Dona met his questioning gaze squarely. II can't take her. will walk" she insisted.
 "You must take her! It's my only chance. If we wait here much long CT I won't need her." :! "I'll meet you," Dona said simply.
 Stan slapped the mare across her flank. Hike. lady!" he called soft ly to the horse.
 The black mare laid back her ears and whirled. Dona had to hang on to keep from being tossed off. Down through the timber and into the open they sped. Men appeared l from hiding and watched her go. When they saw that she was alone .iey turned their attention to the cover she had just quilted and be- gan to circle around it. | Dona pulled up and watched them hemming in the spot where she had left Stan Ball. With wildly beating her she waited. At that moment she realized that had Ball asked her to ride away with him she would have gone. | A rider burst from the timber and galloped toward her. It was Dudley and he was disheveled and dusty, the first time she had seen him so since coming to Three Rivers.
 ''Dona!' he shouted. | The girl faced him mecahnically and Leaded the black mare in his l direction. At her side, Dudley leaped from his saddle. | Are you hurt?" he cried. l She looked into his eyes and sud denly Dona became repentant. Dud- ley had suffered during her ab- sence, that was certain.
 'I'm all right. How is Dad?" She s-oke rapidly.
 Hes running around like a wild nan. We'd better get right in be- fore he burns down the camp" Dudley was beginning to regain his | composure now that he saw she was not harmed.
 Has he been riding" Dona asked contritely.
 All over the mountain! You'll never know how glad I am to see you. I could no more handle him than I could a wounded tiger!" Dudley was plainly relieved to have Asper off his hands.
 Well gallop right in," Dona said. She cast a last glance up the slope where the posse was forming around the dense growth in which she had left Stan Ball. The circle had tightehed and the men now were crawling forward with the greatest caution. | Dudley mopped his face with silk handkerchief as he jolted along at her side.
 Has Swergin been in with any neWs?" Dona asked.
 We haven't had a word about you. This is the first news" Dud- ley shouted to make her hear above the ratle of the horses flying hofs. Dona's lips pulled tight and her eyes flashed. She would have some thing to say to the big timber boss when they met and she realized al- so that she would have some ex- plainins to do on her own account. >Her father might not be easily con- vinced when she told him of her