Part 36 (1/2)
He closed the flap after her, and turned back toward MacDonald The old hunter had disappeared It was ten minutes before he caht to Aldous
”Johnny, you was asleep!”
”I'm afraid I was, Mac--just for a ripped his arm
”Jus' for a minute, Johnny--an' in that minute you lost the chance of your life!”
”What do you mean?”
”Itremble that Aldous had never heard in it before--”I h was in this caht!”
CHAPTER XXV
Donald MacDonald's startling assertion that Mortih had been in the camp, and that Joanne's dreaasp of astonishment and disbelief from Aldous Before he had recovered sufficiently fro the question in his mind
”I woke quicker'n you, Johnny,” he said ”She was just co off through the brush I thought mebby it was a wolverine, or a bear, an' I didn't move until she cried out your nalow she wouldn't have thought it was Mortih, would she? It's possible, but it ain't likely, though I do say it's hty queer why he should be in this caht”
”He wouldn't be here alone,” asserted Aldous ”Let's get out of the light, Mac If you're right, the whole gang isn't far away!”
”They ain't in rifle-shot,” said MacDonald ”I heard hi about it! Why didn't they jump on us when they had the chance?”
”We'll hope that it was a dreah, and while still half asleep saw soine the rest But we'll keep watch Shall I move out there?”
MacDonald nodded, and the two men separated For two hours they patrolled the darkness, waiting and listening With dawn Aldous returned to cain breakfast He was anxious to see what effect the incident of the night had on her Her appearance reassured him When he referred to the dreaht, a lovely confusion sent the blushes into her face He kissed her until they grew deeper, and she hid her face on his neck
And then she whispered soainst his shoulder, that drove the hot blood into his own cheeks
”You are my husband, John, and I don't suppose I should be ashamed to let you see me in my bare feet But, John--you have made me feel that way, and I aainst him so that she could not see his face
”I wanted to show you--that I loved you--'that”Joanne, ----”
A soft hand closed his lips
”I know, John,” she interrupted him softly ”And I love you so for it, and I'lad that MacDonald cah the bush then Joanne slipped from his arriht, Johnny,” he growled ”I found where a horse was tied out there The tracks lead to a big slide of rock that opens a break in the west range Whoever it was has beat it back into the other valley I can't understand, s'elp h come over into this valley alone? And he _rode_ over! I'd say the devil couldn't do that!”
He said nothingAldous in half-stunned wonderment to finish the preparation of breakfast
Joanne reappeared a little later, and helped him It was six o'clock before breakfast was over and they were ready to begin their day's journey As they were throwing the hitch over the last pack, MacDonald said in a low voice to Aldous: