The evening world. Newspaper, January 29, 1914, Page 17

@TNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHA‘ ford teaves the COR erorbach ei fy FS i abn, or her, father's ‘o yours. And if you do not already know it, I want to tell you that be David Langford is not my fath my real father died a long time ago, and Langford is only my stepfath ‘nacbe. "An" itineral A sudden molsture was in her eyes Sep that pigit at Pakotes and sho did not see Dakota start, did ores ry ry hin, om aa handoff Rect eat tay’ she Lee pool nies que Fier ant oe wito > one spread over his face, 10 detec! j ae eee ag with Bakes, ie ie ines the odd light in his eyes. However, she a ‘ie. inwofsDaata and te thresied heard his volce—sharp in tone and teh, Lene Mrveined filled with genuine astonishment. ele Dasste 61.000 gat Fag nate Hie Sieremere one spurcet her’ 4 js pon} je hers and ing up she b Mites @ rifle shot they have iw that hin face had suddenly grown uy — as astern and grim. “Do you mean that?” CHAPTER IX. any 18 rhe some emotion mt he demanded half angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me that before? Why. didn’t (Contimued.) P| tell me when—the night I mar- s 4 rh you?" i‘ A Meeting. “Would it have made any difforence 'y?" she questioned, de- for one thing, fasci- “Does it to you?” she said bitterly. make any difference now? treated me like @ savage; treating haven't W ’e came to eons. over the divide. ere's another reason why I ex- to wee you on the river trail You forgot to thank me for you, out,’ Geserved thanks for tha’ jut there were in his voice the same subtle mockery had marked his manner that time, and as before she ex- a fooling of deep resent it. Why could he not have some evidence of remorse tor sis erime against her? ,She believed ‘ had he done so new she might jave found it in her ners 6" Gh 8 distance toward forgiving him, ut there was only mockery in his and words and her resentment nst him grew. Mingling with it, over, was the bitterness which settied over her within the few days. It found expression her voice when a! et that when we've lace we like to come her father, and the man y beside her. A sob er hands went to her face, covering her eyes. She vat there for a time shudder- ing, and watching her closely, Dako- ta’s face grew slowly pale, And grim, eas of Duncan, who sat on his shook her, and hard lines came into bis lips, “I know what Duncan's friendship amounts to,” he said harshly. “But fun't your stepfather your friend? “My friend?” She echoed his words with hopeless intonation that closed Dakota's teeth lik vise, “I don't know what has come over him, continued, looking up at Dakota, her eyes filled with wonder for the sym- pathy which she saw in his face and 9 has changed since he came he is so selfish and heart- ‘What's he been doing? Hurting you?” She did not detect the er in his voice, for he had kept it so low that she scarcely heard the word: . “Hurting me? No; he bas mot dor anything to me. Don't you know she, auld, acornfully, certain that he was mocking her agsin—for how led could his interest be genuine when ber with he was a party to the plot to murder x Yet perhaps pot—maybe mean white savages! Duncan had been lying. Determin: d spitefully. Pe he to get to the bottom of the effair as prate grew broader, and then oak * possible, oe ears led and he sat quiet, study. rapidly, ber scorn f oe face. : eagerness. “Don't you know?” And ailence grew painful; she moved this time her voice was almost a plea. under his direct gase and a “What did father visit you for. h of color swept into her cheeks, Wasn't it about Doubler? Didn't he in he spoke quietly. Lire you to—to kill him?” ou been seeing white savages?” ‘She saw his lips tighten strangely, "Yea!" venomously. his face grow pale, his eyes flash with f “Not around here?” ‘The hateful some mysterious emotion, she re ‘ean orem a knew in an instant, that he was hp am Ing to one,” she said, her guilty—gullty as her father C7qy basing with impotent anger. “Oh!” she sald, and the scorn came thought you was meaning me,” into her voice again. “Then it is enid, ‘out resentment. “Treckon true. You and my father have con- got it coming to me, But at the spired to murder an inoffensive old me time that isn't exactly the way man!. You—you cowards!" to your"—— He hesitated He winced, as though he had re- ‘and smiled oddly, apparently aware ceived an unexpected: blow in the that he had made a mistake in refer- to his crime against her. He hg but alaoge fmmediately ane i—a hard, cold, sneering 6 Dastened to repair it. ~ Sy ‘pal “Your rescuer, she saw through the arti- which chilled ber. suataa ! However, fies, and the bitterness In her voice € you mean, I reckon? |, no, there Sasa ‘Who has been te! question came slighest trace Ree wre 7 more pronowneed. “It is need- ‘Duncan told mi yee for you to remind me of our re- “Duncan?” There wes much con- onship.” she said; “Zam not likely tempt in bis voice. “Not your father?” it” She shook her head negatively, ‘ ive you told your father hh is "wolce was ¢ eee atl while I Bim he kept bis rifle beside him all the time, He must have heard from some one that I was ginning for he much experience why men, hi able to see through Langford's dim." “Th "t been ‘an pen zoe haven't hired to He omiled at her but 1 ew an aS tot nat Sap ten counties o¢ 10 doorway, his body twisted into a THE TRAIL TO YESTERDAY aa ] “Adventures of a Real Man and a Real Girl | in a Real Country” By Charles Alden Seltzer: Author of “The Two- 1@OOQODDOOOOOOHOOOOND D000 “You are like a lot of other people ia this country,” he added, cAURe 1 put Blanca away they think 1 am @ profesbional gunman. But J} want you"——he placed @ significant em- phasis on the word—"to unde that there wasn't any other deal with Blanca. By coming bac here after selling me that stolen Star stock and refusing to admit the deed in the presence of other people—even denying it and © accusing me—he forced me to take the step I did with him, Even then, 1 ve him his chance, That he didn’t my fault. “I suppose I look pretty black to Nike 1 did. B you, because I treated you like I did. But it was partly your fault, too, y i be that's m, cage to YOM, ONT bei May! it will have to stay a mystery. an idea in my head that night—and something else. I've found something out since that makes me feel a lot sorry. If I had known what I knew now, that wouldn't have haphened to ‘thelr pontes Ww gether, and leant placed both hands on her shou! and gazed into her eyes, his own flash- ing with a strange light. She did not try to escape his hands, for she felt that his sincerity warranted the ac- tion, fe treated you mean, Sheila,” he ‘about as mean as a man could Bal treat a woman. Iam sorry. I want you to belteve that. And maybe some day—when this business i —you'll itand and forgive mi ‘his business?” Shetla drew back and looked at him wonderingly. “What do you mean?” There was no mirth in his laugh as he dropped his hands to his sides. Her question had brought about a return of that mocking reserve which she could not penetrate. Apparently he would let her no farther into the mystery whose existence his words had betrayed. He had allowed her to get a glimpse of his inner self; had shown her that he was not the des picable creature she had thought him; had apparently been about to take her into his confidence. And she had felt a growing sympathy for him and had been prepared to meet him half way in an effort to settle their dif- ferences, but she saw that the oppor- tunity was gone—was hidden under e cloak of mystery which had been bout him frorh the beginning of their acquaintance, a “This Doubler business,” he an- swered, and she nibbled impatiently at her lips, Laer ad that he had meant something else. “That's. evasion,” she said, looking straight at him, hoping that he would In his unwavering eyes glint of grim humor, etnat T am not that’s the answer. she “Well, going to kill Doubler—if it will do you any good to know. I dén't kill my friends.” bd “Then,” she said eagerly, catching the hope which he held out to her, father didn't hire you to kill him?, ‘You didn’t talk to her about that?” His lps curled. don't you ask your father hat? 4 ‘The hope died wit . TDakota’s words and manner implied that her him to (Bak taae he ad refused, wrong aaven had not been wrong in his suspicion that her father was pee: ning the death of the -rester. n- can’s only gine wap in including Dakota in the acheme. : She had hoped against hope that she might discover that Duncan had been wrong altogether; that she had done her father an injury in believ- je of deliberately plan- She looked again at estness, sbe thought, was no evidence of deceit or knavery in his face, nor in the eyes that were steadily watching her. She put her hands to her face and shivered, now thoroughly convinced of her father’s guilt; feeling a sud- den repugnance for him, for ° body and everything in the country, excepting Doubler. She had done all she could, how- ever, to prevent them killing Doubler —all she could do except to warn Doubler of his danger, and she would go to him immediately. Without looking again at Dakota she turned, dry-eyed and pale, urging pony up the trail toward the nester’s cabin, leaving Dakota sitting silent in his waddle, watching her. She lingered on tl trail, riding slowly, halting when she came to a which offered a particularly view of the country surrounding r, for in spite of her lonesomences she could not help appreciating the beauty of the land, with its towering mountains, ite blue sky, its vast, yawning distances, and the peaceful- ness which seemed to be everywhere except in her heart. She presently reached the Two Forks and urged her pony through the shallow water of its crossing, rid- ing up the slight intervening slope and upon a stretch of plain beside a timber grove. A little later she camo to the corral gates, where she dis- mounted and hitched hér pony to a rall, smiling to herself as she thought of how surprised Doubler would be to see her. Then sho stole softly det and peered around. \w Doubler lying in the open cullarly odd position, face down, Bie arma outstretched, bis lege doubled under him, CHAPTER X. The Shot in the Back. R an instant after discover- ing Doubler lying in the doorway, Shetla stood mo- tlonless at the corner of the cabin, looking down won- Geringly at him. She thought at first that he was merely resting, but his body was doubled up so oddly that a bt rose in id happened to Doubler! ve take it ten’'t a ew eee) nde eeeeiig = — foday. Janu 00 00 090 SOA » No pg A blade, and it seemed that of steel had been suddenly pressed down over her forehead. Something ha The world reeled, objects around her danced fantastically, the trees in the grove near her seemed to dip toward her in derision, her knees sagged and she held tightly to the corner of the cabin for support in her weakness, She saw it all in a flash. Dakota been to visit Doubler and had him. She had heard the shot. been right, and Dal pace, cavorting rises and pullli the reins on the levels, showing desire to run. She held it in, though, realizing that during the forty mile ride the epimal would have plenty of oppor- ie up the to get the doctor mighty sudden, whether you think | ought to or not!” “You won't!" she declared, atamp- ing a foot furiously. “You shot him and now you want to disarm sus- picton by going after the doctor for id tungin: ioe ‘weakness gripping her, consideration of his rights and nester lying on his own threshold, murdered. An anger against him, which arose at the thought, did much to help her regein control of Bhe must be brave now, for there might atill be life in Doubler's body, ‘and she went slowly ‘toward him. Cringing and shrinking along the wall of the cabin, ning with the sure regularity of a over on C hine, and was on a level which led into some hille directly ahead, when the pony stumbled. Bhe tried to jerk it erect with the reins, but in spite of the effort she felt it sink under her, and with a sensation of dismay clutching at her heart she elid out of the saddle, ino Creek, taking care of nd'e wife, who is down 1 saw Dave yesterday, and he Dak was telling me about her doctor is to stay there until ahe of danger, You don't know where Moreland’s: place ia, Be sensible, now,” he sald grufly. “I'll talk to you later about-you suspecting me. 3 ota’a! ered the evil intent of the very of thi th A awift examination showed her “You-shan’t go,” she protested; ths, touched is fret, It Ry saftiy that the pony's right foreleg was #t® Kothe wyself. I will find More- though she bad. been partielly: pre- ian a gueneem ese OPE arbi neat 'hraatseed vga barNoranst! YO" SH Bed ion, fe a ete id of him instantly tha ad steppe repa: to have it thrust so quic! ing more bold, she took hold o' into @ prairie dog hole. When she . For anawer he swung quickly down Sha convincin . if by the left shoulder and shook him aitghtly, and her heart seemed to leap within her when @ faint moan escay is lips. Her fear fied in- stantly as she realised that he w: alive, that she had not to deal wit! man. * supine @ quivering sob she took hold of him again, tugging and pulling at him, trying to turn him over #0 that she might see his face. She observed that the red patch on his shquider grew larger with the effort, and her face grew paler with appre- hension, but convinced that she must ely before her. from the saddle, seized her by the How long @ waist, disengaged her hands from the bridle rein, und picking her up bodily carried her, struggling and fighting and strihing blindly his face, to the side of the trail. en he set her down he pinned her urme to her sides. He did not speak, anid she was en- tirely helpless in his grasp, but when he released his grasp her arms and tried to leave her she seized the collar of his vest. With a grim laugh he slipped out of the garment, lei ing it dangling from her went to it and raised its head it looked appealingly at her, and she stified a groan of sympathy and be- gan looking about for some means to extricate it. She found this no easy task, for the Pony’s leg was deep in the sand, and when she finally dug a apace around it with @ branch of tree which she procured from @ nearby «rové, animal straggied ou outy)ta limp badly. The teg, Shella decided after a quick examination, # not broken, but badly sprained, and she knew worrihine. n'the try. every in country. people intorested her only coe dreary apace which, if she e would bring the mom in she could leave. few minutes she seemed to ha’ made existence ‘ary 29, 1914 Complete Novel Each We Begins Next Monday in ‘Tne Evening ———10 00 ho 0 0 0 00 S00 mor 00: “One month from to-day"’—ran the words—"l promise to pay to Dakvta the sum of six thousand dollars in est in the Star brand, provided that tunity to prove its meitie, him. But you won't! I won't let within one month from date he per- jeopised him now!—-was he reached und passed the quick- you!” ont It Suades Ben Doubler to leave Union ‘on now picturing in bis sand crossing from which she had "You'll ha he wald 3 ination the scene of her discov- been pulled by Dakota, the pony run- “The doctor ten't at Lazett paper ro- T moved the last lingering ‘doubt, and e sat on the doorstep ihe did not know, or care, for at a lost all interest loatht were wiur. n her father” Time. rep eented to her nothing now except’ ve robbed of all the things which here endurable a <== 000 00 00 OES 0m0 ===! MA ID Ss Oo iF The adventures of an exiled American, Bis - thrown on his own resources in war-time France; and the roles two wonderful women PA RA D I Ss E played in his life drama. This is one of Gun Man,” Ete. ‘ so ae Ww. yogi best ee at ee G stalment is fil with action and wi este pgp bee By Robert W. Chambers _the reader's breathless interest. ha mwanaa fe om 0 R000 ——=0 SOOO O MOO right side just below the shoulder “Hello!” he said cordially. ere back, I ace. And tired, added, noting her position. walked over and laid @ hand on forehead and she tnvoluni shrank from his touch, for the hand which he inter. with which he bi t Langford.” x jusive, damnin: evidence of her father’s guilt—and oi How cleverly that last clauge cov- document! with and again with jorror and grief t for tears. She felt’ cerned over her Greatly satisfied over wondered if he had seen to “pera Doubler to cousty,’ ‘Ride far?” he questioned, ‘and faving her, hia voice casual. in mn ite, to the ndured, which For within the last been had ce: “Keep it for me, ma'am,” he sald She was determined to end it persist she shut her eyes and tugged enough about horses to be certain ‘with cata chat a’ sald Shien Anell t Wp and pened Sesperai him, finally succeeding that the injured pory would never Chloe h cauckte. 4, But wet back jtoue her she saw that the bah ged be able to.carry her to Lasette. She would be forcedto go, to the Double R now, there was nothing glae that she could do, Standing beside the pony, debating whether she had not better walk than try to ride him, ven to the Double R, she heard a clat- ter of hoofs and turned to see Dakota riding the trail toward travelling in the direction sh travelling when the accident had hap- to Doubler's cabin und see what: you can do for him. You'll be able to do a lot, T'll be back with the doctor before sundown.” In gn instant he was at his side, mounting with the animal him over on his back. 1 moe again, though his face wan ashen and lifeless, and with hope traveled quite a sky. face as she watched it. away, and befo another circle s and finally succeeded in drt ase Soe hun inside the cabin, out of t gun, where he lay inert, with wide stretched arms, @ gruesome figure to the girl. Panting and exhausted, some stray wisps of hair sweeping her temples, the friends who could be No plan of action formed * Lg mind; she could not_ think pened, and apparently had left thé For @ long time Sheila stood be- Test of it threatening to Siders, she trail somewhere back in the distance, sid the truil, looking at the Seek “woe beneted “ee coetehiet bling downinet one of the door jambs, OF she would have seen him. Perhaps Where he had disappe holding ed of complicity attempted murdor, Would she be able to father again? To bid him ‘She thought not. for both if being awa his vest with an unconsc! grasp. Looking down she saw it and with an exclamation of rage threw it from her, watching it fall Into the sand, But after an instant she went over and took It up, recovering, at the same time, a black leather pocket memoranda which had ailipped out Of it. She put the memoranda back into one of the pockets, handling both the book and the vest gingerly, for she felt an aversion to touchin; them. She conquered this feeling Jong enough to tuck tho vest into the she speculated, with a flash of dull anger, he had followed her near to Doubl cabin, perhaps had been near when she had dragged the wound- ed_nester into it. His first word showed her that there was ground for this suspicion. He -Sraw.up. beside her Jooked at her with @ queer smile, she, aware of his It, wondered at his composure. “You didn't stay long at Doubler’s shack,” he said. was on a ridge, back on the trail a ways, and I saw you hitting the breeze away from there some rapid. 1 was thinking to inter- wept you, but you went tearing by so fast that I didn't get a chance, inking rapidly. She ought to have hel 5 ‘of course, ‘and her thoughts went to ota, riding unconcernedly away ‘on the river trail. to him for assistance, such @ course was not to be considered—she would rather let Doubler die than to go to his murderer; she’ could never have endured the frony of such an action. Hesides, she was certain that, even were she to to him, he would find some ¢: use 10 refuse her, for, having shot the neater, he certainly would do nothing toward bringing the help bo ai might possibly restore him to ife. of hor going. lately he had withheld from those It which al bad he would even be he could continue his achemes without fear of dling” with them. There was a fascination in ‘She, put aside the thought with a ts * “She found Doubler where. ghe had Per on which was written the shudder of horror, yet conscious that eroners an awful hurry, What's io him, and he waa sill uncon. aareement. Sbo read it ca something must be done for Doubler Wilk | ought to know that,” scious. Tho water pall was empty amain, and then concealed it he said, bitterly angry because of his pretend- ed serenity, “You—you murderer!” His face paled instantly, but his voice was clear and sharp. “Murderer?” he said sternly. “Who has been murdered?” ' a “You don't .know, of course,” she sajd scornfully, her face flaming, her eyes alight with loathing and con- fempt.. “You-shot. him and then let me ride on alone—to find him shot— shot in the back! Oh!" She shuddeted at the recollection, held her hands over her eyes for an instant to keep from looking at the expression of amazement in his eyes, and while she stood thus she heard & movement, and withdrew her hands from her eyes to see him standing beside her, so close that his body touched , hid eyes) ablase at once if he was to live. Perhaps it was already too late to go for assist- ance; there seemed to be but very little life in his body, and trembling with anxiety she decided that must render bim whatever ald could, There was not much that sl could do, to be sure, but if she could do:something she might keep him aliye until other help would come. ‘She todd beside the door jamb and watched him for seme time, for she dreaded the idea of touching bim again, but after a while her courage returned, and sho again went to him, kneeling down beside him, laying her head on his breast and listenin, His heart was beating, faintly, but still it was beating, and she rose from him, determined. She, found.a sheath knife in one of his pockets, and with this she cut the bodice, pinning it there so would not become lost. rose and went into the cabin, the memoranda on a shelf and she went down to the river and refilled it, returning to the cabin and again bathing and bandaging Doub- ler'a wound, and placing a fresh cloth on his forehead. For w time she sat watching the lanes man, revolving the incident o discovery of him in her mind, ta! going over and over again the grue- some details, She did not dwell long on the latter, for ahq Could not pre- vent her mind reviewing Dakota's words and actions—his satanic cley- ernoss in pretending to be on the verge of taking her into hia confi- dence, his prediction that she would understand when this “business” was over. She did not need to walt, she underatood now! , Finding the silence in the cabin irksome, sha rone,.placed Doubler’s head ina more comfortable position, in it. iT blow to her, in her mind wonder as to how 0 to con: evidence of hia Hit, would not show him the pa she finally became convinced ¢ must tall him tn some manver his con on the d, diacover- With curiosity and interest and re- The wah Grow te pices of city Premed ania”. © pho lcraged and snac"0r Guartgnton™” ght naka toe, ou take, Har blone away, that there was a large, round cried with pain ag he seized her arm tura around the corral, abstractediy feF ars for tne ete leaving and twisted her forcibly around so that she faced him. “Stop this fooling una tell me what has happesied!” he anid, with short, incisive accents, “Who did you find shot? hole in his breast. She came near to swooning when she thought of the red patch on his back, for that seemed to prove that the bullet had gone clear through him. It had missed a watched the awkward antics of sev- eral yearlings which were penned ina corner, and then returned to the cabin je door, where sho sat on the cdge of the atep. reached Stealing into the cabin, , though, she thought, for it Who has been murdered?” 4 more fixed the bandages on the cite pot co crather high on the Oh, {t was admirable. act Near tho side of the cabin door, wounded man. Then she went out, shoulder. told herself as she tore harself leaning against the wall, she saw & mounted her pony, and rode through She got some water from a pail from him and stood back a little, her Me. She started, not remembering the shallow water of the crossing to- that stood just inside the door, and yes flushing with scorn and horror, ‘? have noon It there before, but pres- ward the Double R ranch. with this and some white oloth which “You don't know, of course,” 6! tly she found courage to take it up — ahe tore from one of her skirts she flared. “You shot him—shot him in erly, turning it over and over in her hands, CHAPTER XI. Some initials had been carved on the stock, and she examined them, making them out finally as “B. D."—Doubler's. Examining the weapon, she found an empty shell in the chamber, the back and dent-me on to find him. You gloried in the thought of mo finding him dead, But he isn't dead, thank God, and will live, if J can get @ doctor, to accuse you!" She point- and banda the wound and inde wet cloth aes forehead. She tried to force some of the water down his throat, but he could not swallow, lying there with closed eyes and above the’ horlzon T drawing bis breath in short, painful ad 2 fager ‘at him, but he ignored omy Meta a amet yent ane Shella rode up to the corral ‘After she had worked with him eyes cold and boring Into hers,’ '” thought struck her that perhaps saddic and bridle from her for @ quarter of an hour or more she “Who?” he deman: Doubler had been shot with it. She pony she noted with satisfaction that net it down quickly, shuddering, and for diversion walked to her pony, ex: amining the injured leg and rubbing it, ihe gry Meme d st gratefully. Re- emcee 2 turning to the cabin, she sat for a tong neue BR te Glia yecktine time on the step, but she did not again the oinches tighter, Bho oicMlNE take up the rifle. Several times while hie Beeman ee een she sat on the step she heard Doubler energy of his movements, ai moan, and once she got up and went came so interested that she started {0 him, again bathing bis wound, hut when he suddenly looked up ‘at her. returning Instantly to the door step, Me tant desde thea ie ert for whe could not bear the allence of rapidly, sharply, the words coming ‘Me !ntertor. with short, metallle snaps. "You _ Suddenly remembering Dakota's vent Were going to Lazette for n doctor, and the black leather memoranda I'm glad 1 happened along—glad i Which had dropped from ono of tho “Ben Doubler, Oh! an excess of rage and horror, think that I should have to tell you But if he heard her last words he stood up, convinced that she had done all she ould for him and that the next move would be to get a doctor. She had heard Duncan say that it was fitty miles to Dry Bottom, and she knew that it was at least forty to Lazctte. She had never heard any one mention that there was a doctor nearer, and so of course she would have to go to Lagette-—-ten miles would make @ great difference. She might ride to the Double R ranch house, and she thought of go- ing there, but it was at least ten miles off the Lazette tra d even accustomed to ride was inal corral, somewhere about. Hanging the saddle and brid! a rail of the corral fence sh: was not there. Duncan's 4 few minutes before down stables, which was @ lean-to addition desk picked up old copy of a magazi: tried to read. though at the Double R she might gay yo.) pockets, she got up again and went to , Finding that she could not cone killed him? she asked get a cowboy to make the ride to °*1.,7' be able to mako better time the bench where she had laid the gar- trate he. thoug' she dropped P Lanette, would be losing much gan you, ment, taking out the book and regard- ‘m4gazine into lap and le 'y dear.” valuable time. She drew a deep where are you going?” she de- Kit with some curiosity, back with @ sigh. From where She pronounced breath over the contemplation of the long ride—at best it would take four hours—but did not he jong and with a ler she was out of the door and walk- ing to the corral, where she un- hitehed her pon: the animal ov: cromping at a ver the crossing where the riding was bet- eld the pony to an One mile, two mi ‘There was nothing on the cover to suggest what might be the nature of its contents—time had worn away any printing that might have been on it. She hesitated, debating the pro- priety of an examination, hut her curtostty got the better of her and with 4 sharp glance at Doubler she turned her back and opened the book. Almont the first object that caught her gaze was a piece of paper, de- tached from the leaves, with some writing on it, The writing seemed unimportant, but as she turned it, intending to replace it between the leavi of the book, she saw her father's name, and she read, holding her breath with dread, for fresh in manded, scarcely having heard hie words, though aware that he was pre- Paring to leave, She took a step for- ward and geized his pony's bridle rein, her eyes blazing with wrath over the thought that he puld at. tempt to deceive her with so buld a till watched, sh out of une of the doors and walk toward tho She felt absolutely no emotion mounted, he level For the doctor,” he said shortly. in is no time for melodramatics, will “Do you think,” she demanded, her cheeks aflame, @ sort of detached interest, t! looked twice at her as ho passed th he surmised. that from har ride, nd an of except for centre of each—which excitement under which and then he opened the door tered. goodb: It would be bet! @ departed without him He would not care, she told herself bitterly; evidences of affection to grown acoust and it would not be hard for er ot mine her, perhaps woul jad of her absence, f ‘Then Dakota would be sure to find it when We returned with the doctor, br Not care to read anything ¢on- fathor would front him with Perhaps per, hat she to him, must learn from with the attempted murder of Doub- Then, after receiving from hint e align which would con¥ince her, saw that @ to travel the mountains, she once Langford Lays Off the Mask. HE sun was still an hour the horse which her father had been Therefore her father into the house, to find that Lanford ster curtly Informed her that she had seen him Sheila went into the office, and seating herself at over over his coming; there was only @ mild curiosity in her mind ag to: the manner in which he would take the news of her intended departure from the Double R, She observed, with idle and bridle ye had cone in For & moment she lost sight of him behind some bulldings, tance down A sorrowful smile reached Tt was goin; it could complete Ld back to the East from which she had come, where there were at least some led upon to commit no atrocious crimes, in her lucidly her father in ao her iy? ter her all tt news?" without lookin, “About Doul the pa- ually in her that it she placing where at Doubler’s cabin; sbe the surrounding country after leaving the viciaity crossing and had no any on jong time—it seemed to not tell why she felt Wee certain that he nad not word recently—within an at any rate—unless he had seen ater ® hota. trail, the more fully she vinced that Langford had Rer'of the tank of riding ° of for the doctor had been had merely wanted to. be the carry the news of Doubler's Langford, and after leaving had undoubtedly taken a trail for the Double R, this tine he had settled with ford and was on his way out country. i ‘Dead? ahe said, turning In bor tary excitement sho had come nection to to es and him to ford. “Who"—— His flently he had ex; that she been about to car win neater, He looked at her when been ide the you heard wus Doubler, But, thank , my I have not that crime to answer le from Doubler, however, has been i” went murdered.” der, and turned from that he would not be able disgust that had come into over the discovery that in addi betng a murderer her father wap most despicable of all living ¢ a hypocrite! It required all of at the yd to the a #ix ne and name abstracted): jon, atable house, what- killed him?” she said, looking at him. han, color, his manner was still smooth nile bland, “Duncan was fortunate enet be In the vicinity when the committed,” he told her. hat he With his own rifle too,” There was 4 quality in his which hinted at satisfaction; cullar emphasis on the word tuna: course of the tunate that Duncan bad geen to let you go for the doc- her mind was Duncan's charge that office and ent murder done, Ww it. would boring. ‘wes A resolute gleam tor? You!" He stopped on the threshold for an been much Totter for tue in her eyes, though, and she rode “This isn't # case where your feol- ment with Dakota for the murder of instant and looked at her, evidently: Dakota's and her father’s lightly, helping her pony as much as ings should be considered, ma'am,” Doubler, She read the words several expecting to offer her usual there had been no witness to if Reacts However, ¢ Onin was he said. “If Ben Doubler has been times, standing beside the bench and ting. frowned slightly when 084 414 pet goom to LY lke you think be has I'm going ow Back and forth, s avdden ft did Bok gomp, and then emiled 6 World | | “You Ps her forehead was the Ngbt one— 1d looked out, apparently little con- oar : aay oie ve that he ovine 5 be knew that the latter * agreumah attempted to carry out the uade “Wave toraing: Ihe seemed to have abided with him @ to Lang- momen si that [ had a quarrel wit Shetia repressed a desire to shud- fo te vee. the to composure to be able to look at him a for she was sur- “How do you know that Dekote te 708 “And be saw Dakota shoot him fm the back, “ofan: which caused Bhella to won- dor why he should cowstder it tor iy to