Winifred's Sacrifice

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1900, Page 6

Winifred's Sacrifice

By MBS GEORGIE SHELDON. rAuthor of "The Magic Cameo," "Little Sliss Whirlwind," "Brownie's Triumph," "Stella Ilosevelt," "Queen Bess," "The Golden Key," "A Girl in n Thousand," etc

CHAPTER XXVIJ (Continued.)

After Koger had partaken of his din- | ncr he appeared so much brighter and j stronger that Mr Hawkins told him he j might try to sit up for a few minutes if he wished. He eagerly signified his desire to do so, whereupon the man. arranged a comforter npon the one rocker which the house afforded and then assisted [his patient into it, so easily and dexterously that the effort did not weary him in the least. He avouM not allow 'him to remain up long, but promised him a repetition of the experiment on the morrow if no ill eeffcts followed this experience. Thns several clays slipped by, every one showing marked improvement, and then Roger, whose. «n?nd had become proportionately active, began to get uneasy and anxious to .communicate with the outer world. He knew that his commander and comrades must believe that he had fallen a victim to the craftiness and cruelty of the Indians; while, too, he was greatly disturbed in view of what he knew Winifred and other home friends must be suffering if the report of his supposed tragic fate had reached them, as he felt sure must be the case. One morning he asked his new friend—for between himself and Mr Hawkins a strong feeling of friendship had sprung, tip—-if it would be possible to get a letter conveyed to his post. The man thought a moment and then gravely replied: "Yes; I will, manage it for you. You can write your letter--—or letters—tell your friends that you are safe and doing well, and.—as I think you will be strong enough by the end of another week—if they will send an ambulance for you to Farlow Kanch on the tenth —this is the first — you will report yourself in camp." "Farlow Eanch! That is the place we were ordered out to protect; how far is it from here?" Koger inquired. "About five miles?as the crow flies." "But how am I to get there?" exclaimed the young man in a tone of dismay. "Cannot the ambulance come here for me?"Mr Hawkins smiled with secret amusement. "Hardly," he replied, "and you will realise why when I take you out to •new the landscape o'er. There is but one way by which our hermit home can be reached, and that is only known to my partner and myself; no team could ever come near it. But that j need not trouble you, for I will see that/you get to the ranch all rig-ht; only be explicit about the date—the tenth—for if they should send for you before they would not find you " The man sighed as he concluded and shot a regretful glance at his patient, for he realized that very much that Ayas pleasant would be taken out of his Me when the young man returned Io his duties, for he had grown deeply interested in and very fond of him while nursing him back to health and strength. ■

So Roger at once set about writing co his commander and also to Winifred, telling them of his narrow escape and his. strange experience with Ms hermit friend, who, in all probability, had saved his life.

His communication to his superior officer was as brief as he could make it, but he indited a. long, loving letter to his betrothed, and telling her that Hie would doubtless see her in the near future, as he felt assured that he would be allowed a furlough in order that he might recruit his wasted energies. -

This was the letter which had given Mrs Williams such a shock when she visited the valley' postoffice on that memorable afternoon to pay for the lock box which she thought she would no longer need; and we know how Mr JBeresford discovered its existence and demanded its surrender to him, together with the woman's solemn promise that she would preserve utter silence regarding the matter. ® - When his letters were finished, Mr Hawkins informed Roger that .he would be obliged to leave him alone for several hours while he went to Farlow Ranch to" find a messenger to take them to the postoffiee, and also to; make arrangements for the rendezvous on the tenth. "That .will not trouble- me in the least," Roger replied. "I am only disturbed because you have ten weary miles or more to travel for me." "That is nothing," the recluse responded with a careless smile. "I often tramp more than that while looking after my snares, for in this country, with so many of the redskins about, it does not do to set them too near together or they might get wind of our retreat\here.. So do not feel at all concerned; amuse yourself as well as you can, with whatever you can find in my limited quarters, and I will be back before sundown." When Roger passed him his letters he also handed him a ten-dollar note. "It is to pay the messenger and any other expense you may have to incur," he explained. His companion shook his head. "You will pay the messenger when lie' has done his work and the ambu- , lance comes for you," he observed as he took the letters, but rejected with j a gesture the proffered ■bill; then, with s, word of farewell, left the place. Roger sought a book and tried to Tead when he found himself alone; but, failing j to get interested in it, •threw himself on his bed and ere longwas sound asleep. . \ • He slept for a couple of hours, then arose and.began to wander about the1 room, which was lighted by three win-! dows, rudely made, although -theyj looked out only upon rocks and from .■which no view was obtainable. He never had been outside its,four walls, and had not the slightest idea -regarding the situation of the queer ( abode. Mr Hawkins had only that morning promised that he should soon go outside, but .did not quite dare

'enture the experiment for a day or ;wo longer. However, a feeling of curiosity now possessed him and he tpld himself that he might at least explore the interior of the strange hermitage. Opening the only door leading' from L3ie room he was in, he passed into ane beyond and found himself, as he i had. supposed he should, in the kitchen, i It was lower than the adjoining apartmenfc, and had but one window, vvhic'h also looked ont npon great boulrlers that effectually obstructed a view of the outer world. It had a rude floor of unpinned boards, and its furniture consisted of a table built against the wall and which could be raised and lowered, a couple of boxes that were j evidently used in place of chairs and a small stove. There were some shelves on one side, and upon these there, was a limited supply of iron and tinware, also a few dishes. • Near the one window there was a door which led ont among" the boulders. Directly opposite this there was another one—a smaller or half door. "Pi-obably there is a closet or a place for fuel there," Roger muttered io himself. Nevertheless he walked over to it and tried to open it. It did not yield to his touch. lie was about to turn away indifferently, when he caught sight of an iron hoof: ;(>■;! ring dose to the beam at ■: ■■• i;l it. swung the door ■ •■■ . -. ■■■ enough, at the first .• pi ..-■; seivmed to be intendi ' ■■ '. iioi. for it was almost full :-;■)!it wood that had been i ■•■ . ii) ill;;'most methodical manner. ; ■■( o\n\ look, however, showed hint :\ ).>■■() on one side just wide enough to admit of a person crowding by, and The 'suspicion flashed upon him that tSie place, after all, was of more importance than it at first appeared to be. Me stepped into this aperture and was surprised to find that the supply of wood consisted of only two or three layers neatly arranged, and then he knew that it was only a blind, for beyond there was a long black tunnel which led — inclining downward— directly into the bowels of the earth. "Aha!" exclaimed the young man in a tone of surprise, "this must be the entrance to a mine!" This conviction was strengthened upon observing, as he became somewhat accustomed to the darkness, a couple of picks, together with other paraphernalia belonging to a miner's outfit, leaning against the wall of the tunnel behind the woodpile. He felt considerable curiosity to ascertain what kind of a mine it might be. but began to realize that he was trespassing upon territory where he had no right to be, and had perhaps discovered a secret which his good friend, Mr Hawkins, would not care to have known. Accordingly he beat a retreat into the kitchen, closed and fastened the door, and, feeling wearied from the unusual effort which he had made, returned to the other room, where he settled himself to his book again and soon became deeply interested in its contents. A couple of hours later Mr Hawkins reappeared, qnd, bearing in his hands a large basket which evidently contained a store of good things, for, through its crevices Itoger caught sight of oranges, apples, eggs and vegetables of various kinds. "Well, Lieutenant , Woodman," he observed, greeting him with a friendly nod and smile, "your letters will be on their way to-morrow, and now you may look forward to an early release from your confinement here." "Of course, I shall be glad to get out again, although I have had no occasion to complain of my place of refuge; and I assure you that you will have my everlasting- gratitude for your kind care of me," Roger heartily returned. "I have had ample competisation, my young friend, in the consciousness of having won quite a victory against heavy odds, and in the enjoyment of your companionship since you began to mend," said the recluse. "And now," —with a glance at the basket — "we will have a feast of good things. I confess I am hungry after my walk in the crisp November air." t He at once began to prepare the meal, and in less than an hour set before his companion an appetizing repast of broiled chicken, vegetables and fruit, with delicious coffee, all of which he prepared with the skill and dispatch of an experienced.cook.

The following morning- Roger begged that he mig-ht be allowed to go outside, saying- that lie longed Cor a sight of the sky and a breath of the outer air. He was much stronger, his arm and shoulder were fast getting back to their normal condition* while he was conscious of a vigour coursingthrough his veins such as he had seldom experienced in his life. Mr Hawkins reg-ardecl him gravely for a moment; then he observed: "Lieutenant Woodman, my habit-ir tion here is a secret to all the world, except to my partner and myself, and we have sworn to each other that we will never divnlg-e it until we are ready to abandon it forever. Now, I am conscious that you want and need air and sunshine, but, while I am assured that I can rely upon your honour as a gentleman and a soldier, I feel obliged to ask you to give me your word that yoxi will never reveal to anyone the locality of this our mountain eerie; for, when T take you out and let you look, you will see that it could be located, although"—-with a quiet smile —"to the casual observer it might seem a difficult point to attain." "My good friend, I most cheerfully , accede to your request.-1 should be nn- ! grateful, indeed, if I could betray ! your confidence in the slightest degree," Eoger earnestly responded. "That is just what I expected of you, young man, and.had it not been for a feeling of loyalty to my partner, I should never have asked the assurance from you; and now," the recluse : added as he arose, "I will take 3 rou out and show you a,view such as I will 1 warrant you have seldom, if ever, seen." He led the way through the kitchen and out of the door which Roger had observed the day before, first, however having taken the precaution to protect him from the keen November air. (To be Continued.)