The latter turned to the
man and placed a hand upon his arm. "Why don't you
leave us," he asked. "You have done nothing. No one is
looking for you. Why don't you go your way and save
yourself from suspicion."
Bridge did not reply.
"I believe," the youth went on, "that you are doing
it for me; but why I can't guess."
"Maybe I am," Bridge half acknowledged. "You're a
good little kid, but you need someone to look after you.
It would be easier though if you'd tell me the truth
about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to now."
"Please don't ask me," begged the boy. "I can't; hon-
estly I can't."
"Is it as bad as that?" asked the man.
"Oh, its worse," cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "It's a thou-
sand times worse. Don't make me tell you, for if I do
tell I shall have to leave you, and--and, oh, Bridge, I
don't want to leave you--ever!"
They had reached the door of the cabin now and
were looking in past the girl who had halted there as
Giova entered. Before them was a small room in which
a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained.
"Behold our ghost of last night!" exclaimed Bridge.
"By George! though, I'd as soon have hunted a real
ghost in the dark as to have run into this fellow.
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