"Rescue!" he breathed; "Ridgar and Dupre. We carry our friend of the
fort here. Follow."
He loosed her and bent to lift McElroy.
With all her courage leaping at the turn, Maren quietly raised the flap
and in a moment they were all outside among the sleeping camp.
With measured tread Dupre came up to them, walked with them as they
moved silently back, and was on the turn when Maren touched his arm.
"This way," she whispered; "straight ahead."
One more step,--two,--the youth took beside her. It seemed that the
heart within him was breaking in his agony. The shadows of the wood
were drawing very near, the chances of escape multiplying with every
step.
Another sweet moment of nearness and the misty white figure beside him
would fade into the darkness forever, pass forever out of his sight.
Dearer than all the joys of Paradise was that black head, that wondrous
face with its strength and its tenderness so adoringly mingled. The one
supreme thing in all the universe was this woman,--and she was passing.
With an involuntary motion he touched her softly and she stopped
instantly, even at that great moment. It thrilled through him, that quick
perception of his desire.
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