Part 28 (2/2)

”What is it?” Sylvia asked of Harley. She knew by their manner that something strange and terrifying had happened, and in such a situation it was now an involuntary act with her to turn to Harley.

”Sylvia,” he said--the others had followed ”King” Plummer to the door ”you ought to know.”

He noticed that, though pale, she was quiet and firm.

”If it is danger, I have faced it before,” she said, proudly.

”As you will face it now, like the bravest woman in the West. 'Red'

Perkins's gang of outlaws are out there, and they mean to take Mr.

Grayson to hold for ransom, and you--”

Her eyes looked straight into his, and suddenly they shone with all the fulness of love and confidence.

”They will not take me while you are here,” she said.

”Not if we have to die together. Sylvia, I believed that your heart was mine, and in this moment of danger I know it.”

He spoke truly. In the crisis their souls were bare to each other. He seized her hands, and the brilliant color flamed into her cheeks.

”Sylvia!” he exclaimed, in a thrilling whisper.

”Hus.h.!.+” she said. ”The others are about to come back.”

She gently withdrew her hands from his, and when ”King” Plummer turned away from the door he saw nothing.

”There's not a shot to be fired,” said Jimmy Grayson, ”because I've a better plan. How long do you think it will be before they come for me, Harley?”

”About fifteen minutes, I should say; at least that is what I gathered from their talk.”

”And they have not examined the building or the town?”

”No; they merely came down the trail behind us and slipped into that room, waiting their chance.”

”Very good. Jim, you told me a while ago that the Governor of Montana once spoke to two hundred people in this room; it was a fortunate remark of yours, because I shall speak to as many people to-night in this same room. Shut the door there, put the saddles before it, and then build the fire as high as possible.”

The candidate's voice was sharp, decisive, and full of command. The born leader of men was a.s.serting himself, and the guide, without pausing to reason, hastened to obey. He shut the door, put the saddles before it, and heaped upon the fire all the remaining wood except a stump reserved by Jimmy Grayson's express command. The fire leaped higher, and the room was brilliantly lighted.

Jimmy Grayson stood by, erect, calm, and grave.

”Now, gentlemen,” he said, ”you are a crowd come from Crow's Wing to meet me here, and to hear what I have to say. I trust that you will like it, and indicate your liking by your applause.”

The stump was placed in the middle of the floor, and Jimmy Grayson stepped upon it. His face at that height was visible through the window to any one outside, although the others would be hidden. Just as he took his place Harley thought he heard the soft crunch of a footstep on the snow beneath the window. He felt a burning curiosity to rise and look out, but he restrained it and did not move. The guide was staring at the candidate in open-mouthed amazement, but he, too, did not speak. A few big white flakes drove in at the open window, but they did not reach the men before the fire that blazed so brightly. Harley again thought he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps on the snow outside, but then the burning wood crackled merrily, and Jimmy Grayson was about to speak.

Sylvia stood erect against the wall, her glowing eyes full of admiration. Her quick mind had grasped the whole plan.

”Gentlemen of Crow's Wing,” said the candidate, in his full, penetrating voice, which the empty old building gave back in many an echo, ”it is, indeed, a pleasure to me to meet you here. The circ.u.mstances, the situation, are such as to inspire any one who has been so honored. I should like to have seen your little town, the home of brave and honest men, nestling as it does among these mighty mountains, and far from the rest of the world, but strong and self-reliant. I appreciate, too, your kindness and your thought for me.

Seeing the advance of the storm, and knowing its dangers, you have come to meet me in this place, once so full of life. I find something singularly appealing and pathetic in this. Once again, if only for a brief s.p.a.ce, Queen City shall ring with human voices and the human tread.”

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