The Border Legion

"Joan, I guess it'll turn out all right," he said, clasping her hand

as it rested upon the table. Suddenly he looked bright-eyed and shy.

He leaned toward her. "Do you remember--we are married?" he

whispered.

Joan was startled. "Of course," she replied hastily. But had she

forgotten?

"You're my wife."

Joan looked at him and felt her nerves begin to tingle. A soft, warm

wave stole over her.

Like a boy he laughed. "This was our first meal together--on our

honeymoon!"

"Jim!" The blood burned in Joan's face.

"There you sit--you beautiful ... But you're not a girl now. You're

Dandy Dale."

"Don't call me that!" exclaimed Joan.

"But I shall--always. We'll keep that bandit suit always. You can

dress up sometimes to show off--to make me remember--to scare the--

the kids--"

"Jim Cleve!"

"Oh, Joan, I'm afraid to be happy. But I can't help it. We're going

to get away. You belong to me. And I've sacks and sacks of gold-

dust. Lord! I've no idea how much! But you can never spend all the

money. Isn't it just like a dream?"

Joan smiled through tears, and failed trying to look severe.

"Get me and the gold away--safe--before you crow," she said.

That sobered him. He led her out again into the dark street with its

dark forms crossing to and fro before the lights.

"It's a long time before morning. Where can I take you--so you can

sleep a little?" he muttered.

"Find a place where we can sit down and wait," she suggested.

"No." He pondered a moment. "I guess there's no risk."

Then he led her up the street and through that end of camp out upon

the rough, open slope. They began to climb. The stars were bright,

but even so Joan stumbled often over the stones. She wondered how

Jim could get along so well in the dark and she clung to his arm.

They did not speak often, and then only in whispers. Jim halted

occasionally to listen or to look up at the bold, black bluff for

his bearings. Presently he led her among broken fragments of cliff,

and half carried her over rougher ground, into a kind of shadowy

pocket or niche.

"Here's where I slept," he whispered.

He wrapped a blanket round her, and then they sat down against the

rock, and she leaned upon his shoulder.

"I have your coat and the blanket, too," she said. "Won't you be

cold?"