Page 158 (2/2)

appear This was the third tiotten or

avoided her or had been prevented fro The issue for Kells was growing

from trouble to disaster

Early in the afternoon she heard Kells returning from camp He had

men with him They conversed in low, earnest tones Joan was about

to spy up on them when Kells's step approached her door He rapped

and spoke: "Put on Dandy Dale's suit and mask, and come out here," he said

The tone of his voice as much as the content of his words startled

Joan so that she did not at once reply

"Do you hear?" he called, sharply

"Yes," replied Joan

Then he went back to his men, and the low, earnest conversation was

renewed

Reluctantly Joan took down Dandy Dale's things fro shame she divested herself of part of her clothes

and donned the suit and boots and ht that this would be a disguise calculated to

aid her in the escape with Cleve But why had Kells ordered the

change? Was he in danger and did he mean to flee from Alder Creek?

Joan found the speculation a relief froht of Jier to learn, still she

hesitated at the door It was just as hard as ever to face those

men