thus swinging in the void between heaven and earth,
felt, nevertheless, the thrill of passionate adoration. She was even
more beautiful than he remembered her.

The shelf, though narrowing, ran toward him. Soon, his feet touched
it. At the relief from his weight, the rope was no longer paid out,
though held taut. With its aid he traversed the ledge, and reached the
shelf where the girl knelt. He knelt beside her, and, without a word,
their lips met and clung. There, amid the perils of the precipice,
they were in heaven.

For that matter, little speech passed between them afterward. They
needed none. Zeke adjusted the rope about her, kissed her, and gave
the signal to haul away.

With his heart in his eyes, he watched the swaying form rise, and was
inexpressibly relieved when he saw her clear the brim safely. There
was a short interval. Then the rope came dangling down, and drew him
back to safety. Again the lovers were in each other's arms. The terror
and the agony were forgotten. The bliss remained.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Marshal Stone and Brant were to return together to North Wilkesboro'
where the latter would take the train for home. Uncle Dick had offered
them horses for the ride. The two men, somewhat in advance of the
remainder of the party after the descent of Stone Mountain, had come
near the Higgins' cabin, when the marshal spoke with a display of
embarrassment:

"I've got to go a little out of our way. It's a chore I oughtn't ever
to have put off for a minute, but I plumb forgot it."

"What is it?" Brant asked indifferently.

But his interest was aroused as the marshal hesitated before
answering, and exhibited an increasing confusion.

"I'm right ashamed to tell of it," Stone said, finally. "There's no
excuse for such carelessness. Plutina got into all this mess because
she was afraid something dreadful might happen, and it might have--on
account of my forgetfulness."

"What's it all about?" Brant demanded, now distinctly curious.

"It's bear-traps!" was the morose answer.

"Bear-traps?"

The marshal nodded.

"Those infernal traps Hodges set along Thunder Branch--that made
Plutina turn informer.... Well, I just naturally forgot all about
'em."

Brant uttered an ejaculation of dismay.

"You mean, they're still there, and set?"

Stone nodded.

"Just that. I took Hodges and York down another way. I've never
thought of the traps since, till to-day."

"Risky, of course," Brant admitte