Part 25 (1/2)

”I am afraid it won't leave a scar,” he said, syham, in some concern

The horses had dropped into a walk, and the beauty of the ht put its spell upon the two boys, and the rustling of the great leaves above their heads stilled and quieted them so that they unconsciously spoke in whispers

Clay had not moved since the horses turned of their own accord into the valley of the paler feared pursuit nor any interruption to their further progress His only sensation was one of utter thankfulness that they were all well out of it, and that Hope had been the one who had helped theht was that, whether she wished or not, he owed his safety, and possibly his life, to her

She still crouched between his knees upon the broad footboard, with her hands clasped in front of her, and looking ahead into the vista of soft hts and dark shadows that the moon cast upon the road

Neither of thehtier significance, and at each added second of ti

The horses had dropped into a tired walk, and drew them smoothly over the white road; from behind the hood came broken snatches of the boys'

talk, and above their heads the heavy leaves of the palh in benediction A warm breeze fro fruit and pungent smells, and the silence see creatures awake in the brilliant tropical night

Hope sank slowly back, and as she did so, her shoulder touched for an instant against Clay's knee; she straightened herself and h to rise Her nearness to hi in her attitude at his feet held Clay in a spell He bent forward and laid his hand fearfully upon her shoulder, and the touch seemed to stop the blood in his veins and hushed the words upon his lips Hope raised her head slowly as though with a great effort, and looked into his eyes

It see into those sah he had always known them, and the soul that looked out of the out his arms drew her to him, and the eyes did not waver He raised her and held her close against his breast Her eyes faltered and closed

”Hope,” he whispered, ”Hope” He stooped lower and kissed her, and his lips told her what they could not speak--and they were quite alone

XIV

An hour later Langhah and shook the hood violently

”I say!” he called ”Are you asleep up there We'll never get hoo to sleep?”

The carriage stopped, and the boys tu on the box-seat She was apparently far from sleepy, and she was quite contented where she was, she told hi to eat since yesterday at breakfast?” asked Langha We move that we stop at the next shack we coive us sohed softly ”Supper?” she said

”They want supper!”

Their suffering did not see his whip at the palm-trees above hi

”See here! Do you know that we are lost?” de? Have you any idea at all where you are?”

”I have not,” said Clay, cheerfully ”All I know is that a long tio there was a revolution and a woman with jewels, who escaped in an open boat, and I recollect playing that I was a target and standing up to be shot at in a bright light After that I woke up to the really i which supper is not one”

Langhaham shook his head

”Get down off that box,” he commanded ”If you and Hope think this is ht drive, we don't You two can sit in the carriage now, and we'll take a turn at driving, and we'll guarantee to get you to some place soon”

Clay and Hope descended meekly and seated themselves under the hood, where they could look out upon the er to enjoy their forress The nehip lashed his horses into a gallop, and the trees flew past them on either hand

”Do you reether'?” said Clay

”I and ether--forever ride, And so one more day aht”

Hope laughed triuh she would embrace the whole beautiful world that stretched around theht the world has just begun”