Part 32 (1/2)

”Wait--don't go! I--I--you--” He licked his lips as if they were dust dry, passed an uncertain hand across his beaded brow, and, raising the water-pail beside the door to his ulps

”Let irl demanded, imperiously

”Don't be scared,” he said, ave ht Yes--that was it Don't worry I didn't mean any harm”

”You hurt my shoulder,” she said, alrily--”my fine dress Are you crazy?”

”You see, it's like this, that na was so startling, I--I went off ht--it don't ize--and I'll get you a new dress, a whole lot of dresses, if you like” This seeh silently

His first i, but his amazement had rendered hi his discovery of her identity, he had been stricken du at her like one derasped the significance of this revelation and the advantage it gave hiue at first, its details not worked out, but a plan whereby he could by keeping silent use this knowledge to serve his vengeful ends In an instant his vision cleared and his brain becaht suddenly under the sti liquor Care must be exercised--she must not learn too o to her soldier lover at once, and no power on earth could hold her back That would block the vengeance that he saw shaping in the dank recesses of his distorted brain

First, and above all, he irl away from Flambeau

”I went clear off , ”at that naht be the irl I told you of--you remember, that day up on Lee's Creek--so I had to see; but, dear me, I should have been more considerate--I should have explained The trouble is I'et impulsive streaks on me sometimes that I can't control I'et you another--you bet I will”

This explanation of his strange behavior seeh to banish all personal fears froentle and apologetic in his demeanor that her woman's curiosity overcame her instinct to flee, and she ventured the question:

”So you really thought I was that other girl?”

”I did for a minute The mother was a--a--friend of ht now, and if you'll overlook o back to your troubles”

These last few moments had driven her oorries fro the that you thought you'd go away I think that's a good plan, and you'd be wise to do it for ive you time to think it all over and know your own o away”

”--and it will give Burrell a chance to prove hiot to have you at any cost, or that you are right in your decision If the first should happen, you can come back to him; if the last--why, it will be better for you, anyhow As long as you stay here neither one of you can see clearly”

She was touched by his interest, and realized the force of his arguhts; yet she hesitated

”I want to help you--I'ot an interest in you like you were e, o,” said Necia, blankly, ”except the Mission, and I have no way of getting there”

”Don't you worry I'll furnish the ht”--she flinched--”yes, to-night; there's no use prolonging your agony I'll get a boat ready and send a trusty man with you The current is swift, and if he roell you can ht out, and I'll put some blankets aboard so you can wrap up and have a sleep”

”I feel as if I'd never sleep again,” she sighed

”No, this will coht yet I'd take you down there ot work to do Yes, I've sure got work of iet some clothes,” she said, At which he would have demurred had he not seen that she could not travel in her present condition

”Very well But don't let anybody see you”