The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-15

istence."
"Well," said Dave, things have
a way of comm to light. Some
day we'll know. You sure had
a tough break, not even KNOWN
who yore dad was, and livin' up
in these mountains. Did yuh ever
figure on what yuh were goin' to
do in life?"
'I never figured on getting a.
way, Dave, till Mr.. Hooker died.
! Nor till you came" said Lois. Il
hated the men who used to come
around me when I was in Mescal,
or over at the Cross-Bar."
Dave tried to keep back the
words, but they seemed to come
spontaneously from his lips:
Gust before Mr.. Hooker died he
made me promise that I'd look
out for yuh. I told him OF course
would. When I first see yuh,
Lois, all worked up over Black
Dawn, and madden at me than a
hornet, I knew just the same you
were the only girl I'd ever want
ed.
" wanted to ride away with
you and have you with me for the
rest of our lives. Do yuh think
do yuh think yuh'd take chance
on me when we get away from
here?"
Then, suddenly, looking into the
girls luminous eyes, Dave knew
that she loved him, and that
everything was going to be we'll
with them, no matter what trials
might still lie ahead of them.
He drew her into his arms, and
she laid her head upon his Shout
der, face upturned to his.
"Yuh ain't-ain't cryin', girl?"
81 reckon I am" she answered.
I'm so happy, Dave, didn't
know I could be happy like this.
I never cried for anybody else,
and I've cried twice for you"
''Twice? I made you cry?"
"The first time was when I was
sure you hadn't killed Mr.. Hooker.
And both times have made me
happy. I don't want to leave you
ever"
After a while he heard her
breathing deeply and regularly,
and found that she had fallen
asleep. He sat there, holding her
lightly, till the pale light of dawn
came creeping into the cave.
"There's a mesa in the noun
tains about mile away, that I
don't think anyone except myself
has ever SEEN" said Lois that
afternoon. 81 think we'll take the
horses there. The grass is pretty
we'll gone from here, and they'll
need some good grazing before
we start"
you'll be able to ride in about
coupla days more, honey" said
Dave. els there a trail through
the mountains to the cher side?"
Lois nodded. Il found it, toe"
she said. 1T runs right through
across the border, Dave. Well
never have to 60 back to Mescal,
and nobody will dream we've
come through the mountains"
Dave didn't relish the idea OF
flight. But for Lois, he would
probably have secuted about the
Mescal district by night, in the
hope of unearthing the clue in
Hooker's murderer. He was pretty
we'll convinced that whoever kill
ed the old man would return to
the cabin or betray himself in
some manner. And he had more
than suspicion that Sheriff Cog
gswell was convinced of his own
innocence.
But Lois welfare came first,
and Dave realized that the chief
task which lay before him was to
get her through the mountains to
some place of safety. So he said
nothing to the girls suggestion,
and they mounted the two horses,
riding bareback and guiding them
with their halters. Lois led the
way along the trail beyond the
cave. Finally it ran uphill to a
long stretch of grass-covered land
b e ween the ravine and the
heights.
Releasing the horses, they
watched them start grazing eager
ly, seated side by side in the warm
sunlight.
"What yuh say to our startln'
the day after tomorrow, honey?"
asked Dave.
''I'm ready, Dave, answered the
girl shyly.