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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH. UTAH uite Obviously That Vas the Wrong Question News CLARK MCMEEKIN THE STORY THUS FAR: While voy-agin- g from England to America Lark Shannons ship goes down. She. Is cast upon an Island, and Galt Withe, a bound servant, rescues her. Lark Is made prisoner at the Inn by Cony and Mag, who are holding her for ransom. - She escapes and Is found by David North, her sweetheart, disguised as a gipsy to get a line on the activities of one Dr. Mat-soGalt arrives on the scene and agrees to get Lark to Norfolk, but on entering the boat find Cony concealed in it. The two men fight, while the boat drifts back to the inn. Dr. Matson spares Galts life at Larks pleading, and later, while in a gypsy camp, Dr. Matson endeavors to Identify David. n, CHAPTER XIV , His face fell. Your thoughts be ever on him, Lark, he said glumly, and his but on his business. No, I dont think we can overtake him. Not tonight. Twill be all we can do to save our own skins. ForHes right, Ginko said. get about David and get a quick start before the alarm goes out. .Take the downhill path and WQrk toward the beach. Matson, like as not, will think youve taken the highway to Norfolk and search that first. t For hours they raced their horses along the shore where the beach was firmed by the creeping tide. Red Raskall was by far the swifter of the two horses, and Galt had to shorten his stride so that the smaller black Dosta might keep by his side. As the sun reddened the eastern sky, they reached Cockle Creek and the Black Narrows. Galt said he had fished all up and down this coast and knew every little bay and inlet. Here was a good place, .he told Lark, to water their horses and rest till noon. Gratefully they curled up in the sand and were soon fast asleep. Lark wakened first and, rising on her elbow, lay watching Galt. How long he looked, lying there, how relaxed . . . how beautiful. What latent strength he possessed, what manliness,' she thought. , In a moment he opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Im hungry, he said, simply starving. Looks like well have to find us some oysters, Lark, do you mind? Anything would taste good. She sat up and shook the sand out of her hair. Oh, Galt, its so good to be alive, to be free. Do you think those men will come back? Do you think Matson will send out others? I doubt theyll find us, Galt said sturdily. We can make a race for it, if they do. Our horses are swifter than any of his, and now . that weve found our freedom, both you and I, by God. were going to keep it." Lark thought, he said that not like- swearing, but almost like a crept deep into the hay and found step back out of the light. Do I speak like a bound boy? what warmth they could. Lark awoke next morning with he said haughtily. My wife and I of us. If you are both flushed and hot a teeth gentlefolk, chattering face. Her legs were cramped and her shoulders ached unbearably. It took all the strength she could muster to suck one of the handful of eggs which Galt found in the hay and to allow him to help her mount Dosta in the early gray of the bleak autumnal morning. The long days riding was complete misery and, except for Galts kindly consideration, would have been unendurable. That night they were lucky enough to come on a hunters lean-t- o in the woods. Galt lifted Lark from the saddle and carried her tenderly inside the little shelter, piling what dry boughs and leaves he could find,, for a couch. He laid a snare in the undergrowth and was fortunate enough to catch a wild rabbit. He slivered and whittled a' branch into fine shavings with his cobby-knifand, when he had started a fire with his flint and tinder, nursed it along with infinite care until it would take hold of a sizeable dry log he had been able to find in a comer of the lean-tFor a time the hot strengthening meat seemed to put fresh life into Lark, but toward midnight her fever rose and the chills gripped her once more. Galt sat helplessly by, chaf-e, o. - ... tethered. Galt said, Wed best be off, Lark. The stars are clouding over and it looks as if we might have a smart shower of rain. Ill feel better if we put this place behind us soon. He deposited the knife and the coins safely in the pouch at his waist. The rain caught them before they had gone many miles and forced them to seek shelter in a barn on the far side of Longboat Creek. They were drenched and shivering, but slow-witte- . new-bor- . folk. ' Darkness found them skirting westward behind Gargathy Inlet. Once during the afternoon, they had seen a lone horseman and crept into the tangle of undergrowth till he was safely past them. Theres a cottage yonder, Lark said. Maybe we can get into it. It would be fine to make a fire in a fireplace and curl up on a dry floor in front of it. ' Galt nodded and they circled the ' darkened cottage. A shout from within stopped them. Whos there? A sleepy voice called roughly, and a man came out and stood under the gabled roof which protected the colonade, peering out into the night. Lark and Galt crouched low in the tangled undergrowth, thankful that they had left the horses tied some little way off in the woods. The fanner stood for a moment' listening intently as they clung close together, scarcely daring to breathe. T heerd un, he shouted, I heerd un plain, poachin and thievin, try-i- n' to find thet ole treasure thet aint here. Ill get un, swear to God, I will. Ill blast .un sure I He turned back into the house. Wed better make a run for it, If he gets his Galt whispered. gun, hell tramp about till daylight and find us sure. They got to their feet carefully, pulling their woolen clothes from the thorn bushes, shaking the dried leaves from their hair. They crept out through the broken-dow- n iron gate and ran across the patch of open ground that lay between them and the copse where the horses were ex-tr- - - prayer. have food and a blanket to sell . . What price un give me? the man asked, his face lighting up with greed, his suspicions now evidently allayed. Ill pay you fair," Galt said. The woman said, Ive got an y homespun blanket and plenty meal an larded fowl, Tom. We could use a bit of cash money with the taxes coming due. . . - I could add a bottle of my root tonic. Its mighty good for sick folks. She smiled at Galt. When Tom didnt answer her, but just stood there considering, she fetched the things and tied them in a bundle which she held out wittysome eagerness to Galt. d When the man, more than his wife, still didnt say anything, Galt held out one of his coins. The woman smiled contentedly and passed .him the bundle as Tom, suddenly coming to life, snatched the coin and slammed the door in Galts face. Her chills and fever ran their course for ten full days, and she n kitten was weaker than a by that time. Anxiously, Galt guarded her for another three or four days until he felt her now returning strength would make it possible for them to continue their journey. At last, on the fifteenth day, she said, Galt,, I can make it now. Really, I think I can. Let me try. She stood up and took a few wobbly steps. His arm was around her, supporting her and giving her courage. He swung her up and into.Dostas saddle, steadying her for a moment as she swayed weakly and clung to him. He patted her knee and spoke as if he were talking to a small child. Youre all right, Lark. You can make it, darling. It wont be very long now. Tonight will see us at the ferry. Tomorrow well be in Norfolk. David will be there, waiting for yoii. David! Lark repeated the name David will be slowly,- stupidly. there waiting for me. David isnt here? He hasnt been here? Lark asked anxiously. Oh, Im so dreadfully worried. She sat on the very edge of Mara Hastings horsehair sofa in the prim parlor of the house set a little way back d from the street in Nortree-line- Carried her tenderly inside the little shelter. ing her cold hands and calling her name over and over again as she tossed and raved about the shipwreck, and about that first dreadful night on Ghost Island, when she had found Clink Swalters and had been unable to save him. Next morning there could be no thought of their continuing their journey. Lark was dreadfully ill, that was plain to be seen, and Galt was in a frenzy of anxiety. His nursing was awkward, but tenderly It comforted him considloving. in her raving she made that erably no mention of David Norths name. When night came he knew he would havq to have help if he were to save Larks life. She seemed asleep for the time being, or else she was sunk in a dreadful, deep unconsciousness. He wasnt sure, but he had to leave her for awhile. He had scarcely thought what story he would tell when the man of the house confronted him with the suspicious surliness accorded strangers in this section of the country. My wife is sick. Galt heard his own hurried voice mumbling those words, and knew in that instant that he wished they were the truth. Were headed north from Norfolk toward Snow Hill Landing where her folks live. Can I buy a blanket and some food from you? Un dont look old enough to have a wife, the man said consideringly. Bring her here, now do. A ced small woman pushed up behind him and peered out at Galt. Now do! Listen to the woman!" The man grumbled. How in land sakes do we know this boy aint a thief? How do we know he aint that very chap Sheriff told us to be on the lookout for, who stole a horse up Horntown-way- ? Fellow in town tother day tole me to be on the watch. Come inside now, an let us get a good look at un. He held the door wide open. Galt felt the red blood mounting into his unshaven cheeks.. He took a kindly-fa- David . . . Captain North is not here. Mara pursed her lips and tranquilly continued to net a small I thought I made mysilk purse. self quite clear on that point a few moments ago. I did not say he had not been here. You did not ask me that. I would have thought, Miss, Galt said, with obvious irritation, that you would have volunteered the information when Lark first sked you. Captain North was here last wek, Mara said. He has gone back up the coast now. Looking for us, of course. Lark smiled at Galt. Poor, dear David, Im sure he was frantic with worry. I was ill, you see; Miss Hastings, and that delaye4 our arrival. ' Mara smiled patiently, as if she were humoring an excitable child. You neednt worry, she said with a slight edge to her tone. Captain North did not go back to look for you, Miss Shannon. He went to Baltimore to attend to important business tor the Cargoe Riske Company. Important business . . . Oh, I see, Lark said flatly. She glanced down dejectedly at her hands which she was twisting in her lap. She felt suddenly very tired and very weak. You will both want baths, she said, with her hand on the painted china door-knoI will have warm water sent to your rooms and will find some more suitable garments for you, Miss Shannon. Lark glanced down in quick confusion at her tattered gipsy finery. Oh, she said, Im so dreadfully sorry. Weve disgraced you by coming here like this, havent we? We didnt stop for a minute to think. We were so tired. . , . Ive been so sick. "I hope that no one saw you enter. Mara led the way up the narrow carpeted stairs. I believe all the children were engaged in their classes and there are not many of my friends on the streets at this early morning hour. One does have to be careful of appearances when their school has as select a reputation as mine. You understand that, of course. Miss Shannon? ' Galt stopped stock-sti- ll a few feet below them on the landing. Lark, he said, since David isnt here; Id say we tell Mistress Hastings good-b- y and take our foot in hand. ... . b. (TO BE CONTINUED) . Behini N W.N.U. SERVICE Two G.I.s on a day off were strolling along a suburban poad outside London when they saw on a hillside a building which said over its archway Hall of Rethe British phrase membrance With usual G.I. crematorium. ;:or of them went in to one curiosity, see what it was. Moments later, he came flying out. To the others question as o why the haste, the investigating G.I. replied: Darned if I know. I walked in and there were a lot of people in slack standing around a pit from which flames seemed to be coming. All I said was: Hi, folks, whats cooking? thb'Ni By PaulMaiion Released by, Western Newspaper Union, EISENHOWER TO REPORT WHEN PEACE COMES The peace ruWASHINGTON. mors have been coming from nearly every place except the spot that matters inside Germany. The widest spread expectation can be traced to a misunderstanding of newsmen from a White House order. Word was passed to them from those august portals to stand by for an important announcement. The newsmen figured it must be a peace offer. When no announcement was issued they deduced the warnRund-steing might have related to the of out offer (reported peace Paris by INS) upon which the White House decided not to comment in the end. When the peace news does break eventually it is not likely to come from the White House but from General Eisenhowers headquarters, and there will be no possibility of doubting its authenticity. Arrangements to that effect have been made. The surrender will be military in all probability and made to him, rather than through political channels, and he is empowered to announce it. As for the Rundstedt peace offer, it was simply a bid to get us to sell out the Russians and therefore could not be seriously considered. The other rumors in general have sprung from financial authorities in New York and were largely inquiries designed to sound out the administration. dt Berlin-Wash-ingt- FACING DESTRUCTION The Germans, of course, ing complete destruction of fAade from ' Premium Grains! ) on Kellogg Cora Flakes bring you nearly all the protective food element of the whole grain declared cwcntial to human nutrition. are factheir en- If anyone with any common sense could get into authority, the Germans would decide to save themselves the rest of the fight. But all our inner reports from Germany suggest the people are phlegmatic and in a mood to take whatever comes from anyone. They have been beaten into complete docility by years under Hitler. The soldiers have shown an increasing aptitude for surrender- -' ing since their bulge in Belgium was broken. After the professional soldiers retired behind the Rhine to prepare for the spring campaign, the Volksturmers, left alone at the front, have not fought well. But no collapse in morale has been apparent yet, and the army as a whole is still tough. Events up to the Rhine and across the Remagen bridgehead have, of course, merely been leading towarc a greater full scale assault. Even the brilliant Patton-Patc- h encirclement of the rich industrial Saar is merely preliminary, Neither was the collapse of the Ludendorf bridge an impediment to our further advance. We had three other bridges set up and workinj actually before the announcement o: the collapse was given out, EARLY NEED SHOWN For our offensive, however, we will need at least two or three other bridgeheads established in the north. The best fighting route to Berlin is across the northern plains. Ahead of us in the Remagen area is difficult hilly country of volcanic origin and of little use except for Nazi defense. But ahead of us in the north i$ the industrial Ruhr anc thickly settled communities, vital to sustenance of the German effort. It is being commonly reported our strategy will be to effect a junction with the Russians, south of Berlin, rather thaw heading directly toward the capital. To do that, we will have to break through the Nazi defenses with a roving armored ' column. Our immediate strategy no doubt will be to develop spearheads across the Rhine, switching our power from one to the other, as the Russians do, to find the weaker resistance, rather than taking a fixed route. It will not be necessary to take Hamburg and the northern coastline, although, if we could land a force there in the rear of the German defense line, they could be dealt a crushing blow. 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