The evening world. Newspaper, April 21, 1914, Page 19

convulsively as he nerved himself to face them, and then with a gulp of he in his monologue of anctent conundrums and jokes, not too ee, revamped. Hut far-fetched and venerable as y were, they brought laughter and vocfterous applause from the boister- ous critics in fre and Nan breathed easier when she saw confidence grow- ing In the pathetic humorist upon the * wloge. His efforts were something to be endured, not enjoyed, by a person with a vestige of cultura or taste, and she turned her head ever so slightly to note the effect n Ben Kvans. She experienced a kind of shock to see that he was following the crude humor and dreadful puns with the keenest enjoyment, and she felt a vehement disgust, ‘a secret shame for him when she observed that he evidenced his approbation by kicking his heels against the mop- board. Imagine—well, Bob, for in- stance, kicking his heels against the mop-board! Nan turned her head from him abruptly. Her interest in him and the care be ed which she had oder for besd abstrd entertainment suddenly made her seen to heraelt nm ridiculous watever hopes the reception o| the monologue had raised as to the friendliness of the audience was quickly dispelled by its reception of bi you Aa vocal solo. wi ad, indescribably bad, but made worse by fright as she stood before the jeering crowd holding a sheet of music between han shook with a violence that CHAPTER III. (Contisned 5 Foreman of the L. X. HE, however, had not ‘a strong belief in the theory of “firat impressions” and dismissed her unfavorable opinion hasty, but of thing she was sure, and that was her interest in the handsome Picturesque foreman of the L. X. utfit was far greater than in its more nt manager. . Not for the world would Nan have itted that this interest had any- hing to do with her acceptance of shy little Mexican woman's in- tation or her choice of a frock for he evening's entertainment. And ihe tried to delude herself with the ef that her wish was mergly to PP look decent” upon her first public pearance in Hopedale, but in her art she knew that the thought that Evans might ride in from the Meh affected her decision when her lay between a plain shirtwalst * &@ particularly becoming blouse of filmy lingerie. From the silence which fell when Nan and Poth's pretty Mexican wife took their seats in the already well d only a fright countrified child as she cod oa tek high platform in her frock of figured pink calico, scarcely ankle length, with its ruffles of cheap lace in the elbow sleeves and a string of glass beads for ornament, The hoots from the rear of the hall Rrew louder aa she lost the key, and sibilant sounds from all parte stung her nearly to tears as she tried shrilly for notes which, in her panic, she could not reach. Yet sh filled opera house that evening it Is her ground. with. something ape to be inferred that Nan had entirely bantam could see the spirit. N trembling of her k akir' The howls increased, her plucky defiance seoming only to arouse fur- ther opposition and antagonism, Had they no pity? Could they not see the appeal in the child's eyes? then, was the chivalrous Weat? Nan’s lips curled contemptuously and her cheeks burned with ange clownish witticisms and coarse cd ments were bellowed from different parts,of the house, “Take that calf out to ita maw!" ‘Them top notes sound like a saw in’ a knot Fly away, birdie! “Aw, git off—git off!" Occasionally a protesting cried: “Let the kid alone!” Nan glanced at Ben Evans. Was he foo Joining in the bajting of panic-stricken child? Scarcely. There waa a frown of disapproval upon his face, a gathering storm in his blue eyes. Nan nearly forgave him for his rustic pleasure in the monologue. The rowdies concluded that more amusement could be extracted from that recognized form of recreation known as “brqaking up a show" than from allowing it to proceed, The up- roar became one long howl of derision, while the child stood with her face buried in the bend of her elbow—the defenseless target of the storm. The zaunt humorist strode out with 4» brave semblance of authority and ified long, waxlike hand over the audience for ailence, His face showed ghastly beneath its make-up, and he looked a grotesque corpse as he ‘od trying to make himeelf heard nve che din, S Just give us one more chance?” he ¢ Bleaded. ‘ ‘The effort of shouting brought on ® paroxysm of coughing, violent, tearing, racking his thin chest and swelling the veins In his temples. “He'a a lunger! Put him out!" Voice after voice took up the brut ell of pre t. “No lungers wanted! Get off! Get out!” ‘Then a turnip hit him full and hard in his sunken chest, Involuniarily Nan sprang to her feet, and, not knowfng what she did, turned and faced the audience behind her, with her eyes flashing and her amall, red mouth eu in scorn. Simultaneously there yell of rage so savage in Its intensity that it rang above the tumult of the rioting mob in the hall. “Cut By God, you-all cut Gucceeded in her desire to look “de- cent.” In magazines and books they had seen gins who looked like Nan, from the same source Nan ha ined her knowledge of audienc ich looked like this one. t the door of the opera’ house Mr. Stood guard with a lantern un- his arm, by the light of which looked for plugged money among ver which was flowing in an, ouraging btream. kerose amps screwed to the of the long unplastered hall d by tin reflectors, gleamed their test, while a fresh upon the floor had been giving the opera house y raonal attention. found herself the cynosure of as she and Mrs, Poth rehed for their names upon the W@felips of paper laid upon the seats of Pthe pine. chairs marked “Iteserved.” lanced about and once more a swhen ber ‘Evans, who was leaning against the ‘wall among a group of cowboys. Of cowboys there were plenty in the gnotley crowd, a rim of white en- joircling their scalps in evidence of Fecent haircuts, while a powerful odor of cologne and Florida water ‘emanated from their vicinity. © Mwarthy Mexicans, lean oily ? hatred, showed their white teeth fre- ~ quently they whispered together. YP Rrawny miners and grizzled prospec- tors, the more dapper merchants of |S the town, the few women of Hope- ‘dale in antique fashions, and innum- Serable small goys dangling their thin | *Jegn from the window-sills made up the audience. While Nan flashed occasional su * reptitious glances at the foreman the L. X. outfit, its manager in the eat behind her was studying her pi- PD quant profile with fascinated intent- * neas, He looked at her hair, The way it about her temples and close to ears was adorable. In repose, her sensitive and soft and miding; he noticed that, in a ner- Me trick she had of shutting her “teeth hard upon her lower lip, the ood rushed back in a crimson flood 4 though it flowed swift and red in veins. he had an odd way, too, of sud- y throwing her head back with a tie alr of haughtiness and looking ng her long lashes. There was mething epirited in the mannerism ty hich appealed mightily to that which ae masterful in him, The speck of wper in his hagel eye dilated until med glmost a normal pupil. curtain of turkey: calico leh was stretched across ‘the stag wire and gave au air of mystery the coming entert a fie late in parting, and the stamp- ves beneath her voice Nan saw Ben Evans kicking chairs out of his way and hurling aside the bystanders who blocked his path as he cleared an opening to the stage. His hat was on, tilted to shade his eyes, and the mouth and chin which showed beneath were tard and set. One hand rested significantly at his ‘Of reatiens feet, catcalla and hisses ip and, as he yelled again, a vibrat- Nan something of the temper of /"&. taunting yell, he threv back oO ~ shoulder in a swaggering gesture of iners had to face. defiance. It was apparent tpat-Poth had been “Now, you Montgo together correct in his surmise that punchers, you Jim @udience would be in no mood for yellow-back bad men from God knows where, if you all want a target, try pe” atill rankling, sme! ‘Take somebody of your size The performers themselves may Jest call out your names when you felt the unfriendly atmosphere, ve throw, If you're men enough.” When at last the curtain parted ss ery Ward cow- ow miners, you He was 4 picture of reckless, per- the boy who had driven the wag- sonal courAge, of consummate self- came out and announced a banjo confidence as he bounded upon the ‘golo by himself his face wore a twist- and faced the bullies, On ) ed, frightened emi n ‘The air was simple, but he stumbled edly in his nervousness, and when r bowed himeelf off it was amid a la voice out with all the ng savagery of a Comanche the matter with you-all? half-hearted round of applause } users! If you got any hich was little short of condemna- there ammunition Don't be bashful, Juan th bis brave assumption of Nan felt intuitively the young y entertaine: diacomfiture and hu- supporters were tumbling over ation at hin failure to please and chairs and benches bis side, hesrt went out in quick sympathy only ready but & or the fray fo the atrange trio and the’ordeal be- and they made a group too form die for the rowdies in the mbering Poth's vague threat, tackle as they stood bell 9 felt a growing uneasiness to waiting for the trouble to holy treatment if the remainder of he ramme was no better than ithe begfaning: A low cough, which came at in- tervals from somewhere in the rear @f the curtained stage, now served an wn announcement of the next enter- iner’s appearance, He came on with attempt at jauntiness, the ema- > ‘dated invalid of the afternoon, look- » fas More pitifully gaunt than before the clownish dress of a country- sn. ‘> raucous voice from the rear of room ted him. “Helle, Boneyards! When did they anes But there were no more turni the hollow-chested humorist, or the now loudly w: ing soloist on t stage, and no response to Ben Evans's urgent invitation to use his broad chest as a target, Tlowever, It plain enough that the "show" was done, that another of “Frohman's Troupes" was a fail- ure, The irate manager of the opera house was joining with the audience in their denunciation, which was de manding its admission money re- funded at (he door, the hall jest the "Nan rd him declaring wrathfully. * get it out'n ‘em it T nce snickered, and Nan have to take their team and wagon.” w the startled fash of pain in his Mr. Poth's softer side, it seemed, eyes, dis Jong Gugers closed was not for travelling artists. j ‘ ; ae he a Aa a i i 2 this “3 “You-all better drag it while things has simmered down,” Ben Was advis- ing the entertainers, while Nan walt- ed with Poth fe hall to clear, that » out of town sa * “We uld a done better if they'd have let us go on," sobbed the girl, “but we ain't been at it long and it makes us feel bad if they don't like us on the start. And what with long Jumps and brother bein’ sick and all we'fe pretty tired the first night. you was doin’ good,” declared Ben Evans, “W'ant she, boys’ “It wan fine,” came # hearty chorus, and the earnest voice of Clarence Strunk, putfit, added: ‘Mrs. Bernhardt could! # done bet- ter.” Once more Ben Evans fixed upon Nan his frank stare of admiration as he and his supporters on their way out, and again that curious quaver of e when their eyes met. The foreman of the L.X. outfit attracted her more than she red to admit, and she wanted to know him with an eager- ness of which she was ashamed. ‘ CHAPTER IV. -The Boss of the L.X. LIKE spirit in women and horses,” was a favorite arphorism with the Hon. “Hank# 7. Spiser; but what he really meant was that he relished breaking it in elther. He had interpreted aright Nan's manneriam of suddenly elevating her chin, the quick sparkle of het eye, and his study of her piqued his in- terest mightily. He saw the high xpirit concealed beneath her sqlf-effacing dignity, but that which a man like Spiser could not see, or, seing, understand, was her nearly childlike innocence, her absolute purity of mind. An habitue of dance-hulls, a ti long associate of reckless i they had come to form the standard by which he judged e woman who was not unequivocally accounted for by a husband, én then he proof a wom considered few, if ainat his blandishments chose to persist, his unshakable y being that married women were virtuous only through fear of being found out. Spiser’4 ideals were ho higher than himself, “and Spiser was merely @ crafty, masterful brute, N clear eyes, her air of good breeding, her manner, wh its mig- ture of girlish candor and reserve, her conversation and whieh bore every earmark of-education and refinement, conveyed nothing to him d the fact that an unusual and monly attractlye young woman had arrived within his field of ac tles ready to walk into a constructed web, She was unprotected, unattach with no plausible excuse for b there, therefore she must of neces- sity be one with the women he best, though of an unquestionably superior and f Tt was all quite ol ser's mind, yet he took the tien to bring his spinst all when next he cam the hotel ‘or the purpose of advancing his acs quaintance ®ith Nan piven’ sister a fade le eyed litle who had a way woman, of accompanying each — utterance With w nertous, deprecatory gesture, 48 though she had formed the habit through the constant necessity of excuses and explanations Beside her forceful brother her personality. wax ‘apd she had a ly helples noof glanc t him afte h speech, ay though to read his verdict upon it in hin eyes. Spiser exerted himself to the ute most to be agreeable, and Nan was self-reproachful as: she thought of her firat impression—her unfair prej- udice. Certainly {t was very nice of Mr. Spiser to bring his sister to see her, and Mr. Spiser, aglow with the feel he was making a favorable had an Inapivation, upon "Me and my slater,” eaid Mr. Spiner fumbling with the large gold nug- get which dangled as a watch fob ‘ -=_ OE NR Te ae D apparent annoyance, “but I've been hangin’ around for Mary and finally come off without her. You and me will go on ahead, because I've got some things out there on the ranch that got to be tended to and I've arrany for her to start In an hour or fo, “Bays sh pot to get her house in shape before i start, Wonderful housekeeper—got to leave everything ‘just so’ or she'll be in misery all the time she's ie, Get your hat on and jump in. Nan hesitated. “She'll be along right enough there's her trunk in the wagon.” When Nan turned to go back Into the hotel Fritz Poth was staring hard at her with an expres darkly disapproving that it her. She had a haif-formed impulse to ask him if there was any reason why she should not go, but ignored ft, and went on to her room. His attitude annoyed and vaguely dis- turbed her, but told herself as she pinned her hat that he was pre- sumptuous; that her movements were certainly not Fritz Poth's af- fair and she sa goodby to hin with a shade less friendliness in he! manner. He responded curtly, glow- ering from the doorway as they drove off. « Spiser talked of the county and its people on the long drive to the ranch- house on the Esmeraidas in some- thing of the manner of « feudal lord. That he considered himself all- powerful, omnipotent almoat, tn this Sparsely settled country waa obvious from the e of his conversation, And with some reason, Nan optr Judging from the obsequious salty tions of the sullen Mexicans and half- reeds whom they passed, and the nwilling, yet HAIf fearful nods of impecunious homesteaders who pulled to the #ide of the road to let him Ko by. But why, even as manager of the largest ranch in the county, he should h cenvideration, crudging tly waa, Nan could not exactly understand, His manner toward her was respect itself, yet she was conacious that he eyed her covertly when he thought himecif unobserved—that not a change of expreasion escaped him, and that her slightest word had his entire attention. 5 ‘This interest might have been con- sidered flattering from a Cee 4 ‘ Spiser, yet Nan did not regal 80. eae eee oe eek nance for Rather, she felt a growing uneasiness y ) go along and see somethin’ of 28 the miles lengthened between her- ihe country. No petter scenery thix Self and Hopedale, and Shere yas no side of Colorado than right there at 8limpse of Miss Spiser on the various the L. X. ranchhouse on Es. Mines In the road behind them. meraldas, How'd you like i Noting her disquietude, which evi- Miss Splser stared at her brother, denced iteelf in turning frequently, while Fritz Poth, flicking files from he assured her that there was no the window of the hotel office where cause for alarm. from his waistcoat pocket, plannin’ to go out to the ranch “are : ’ Nan received her callers, gave him “She's always an’hour or two after a mocking, sidelong pinnce, which the fair," he déclared humorously, might have dampened the enthusi- “but she'll pike in by dark asm with which Nan accepted the “Supposing she shouldn't; suppos- ing nomething serious should happen to detain he ‘an asked nervously. “Well, what of it? Nothin’ or no- body would eat yo ‘The long road over the mesa drop- ped abruptly into a gulch, in the bot- tom of which, where it widened into a «mall flat, was a cluster of adobe houses with a tiny general merchan- dise store rising in the centre “The city of El Oro," explained Spiser; “also my post-office.” He drove to the high platform in tion had she seen It. ow very, very nice of you, Miss Spiser!* she crieg at once, all ea nes#, as she turned to that atill du founded lady who, within her men ory, had not been’ asked to join h bro-her on any jaunt*for pleasure. “[-we'd like if v-very much if you will come,” she stammered, having beon given her cue in a warning glance from his eyes. “I know of, not reason why I can- "declared Nan, her eyes spark- ling. “I've rather exhausted the frent, and called. rides about here and have read all A griasied, deliberate old man came: the books and magazines Mr. Poth out finally with a handful of mail tan borrow for me, ao the prospect the first individual, Nan thought, to has lookéd af little dull. The one make no undue haste when Spier promise mother exacted from me was wee Gaibeatth—ate, Mackall” that | would not go prowling about the county unchaperoned, and this | The old man nodded carelessly without looking at her. n v » problem, doesn’t it?" a ans Bplosee heavy Hds drooped . “If any mail is forwarded here for “yl amusement. They always ber, put it in with mine, She will " be my guest for a time. mantic taie of strict and be my ra time.” oe your ; convent educations, ma ye q nts, convent education: last—rueat.” the old man anrwered in a tone of tll concealed contempt, and he added with a touch of malice: “She left so sudden she didn't give invit me a hundred ti iMthis was a part of her game he had to play up to it, so he agreed heartily. “tt would seem to,” he smiled. And Bt abel ETT ba este continued magnanimously: “There's ee ee mt odah to N a corral full’of horses to ride, plenty Of fresh beet, milk and eggs, and iady friend of my sister's homesick.” when I'm not there some of the cow- punchers will see that you are kept — The old post-maater looked up in in tirew and anything else you Some surprise as though wondering why Spiaer took the trouble to lie time he may need, 1 “You are too kind!” Nan was like a child in her glowing, unaffected animation, “This in the real West- ern hospitality of which I've heard. I'm so glad it's not a myth as are so many delightful things when one Then for the first really looked at Nan. Nan felt heraelf color scrutiny of his quizzical « ferling exceedingly uncomfortable without knowing why, ¢ » Ie oe tr abo! “If you should get—homeaick, too, th to learn the truth About sigs he aald significantly and with rite Po a8 foal & Rew regpect in his voice, “why, tou Aploee Moved Lee agin don't forget that I'm your nearest chair, but waved his hand dopre- "eishbor. catingly and declared Nan looked from one to the other “Oh, that’s nothin’ nothin’ at all, Wondering what it nil meant. Don't’ meation it again.” “You talk too much, MacNeil, for “When shall we go? Nan asked « Government offictal!” Splser lifted the lines and brought the remnant of a whip down hard on the horses’ back: up thent quietly, the question of Miss Spiser, but her brother answered Mr her “You can pull your freight ty-mor- row If it's agreeable to you.” "Perfect! if it suits your sister.” Miss Spiser assented doubtfully ‘TH send a wagen for your trunks d drive you two out myself. Bh, ‘1 talk enough f Govern Mcial,” returned the old man and he looked at Nan. “A meddlesome old ‘fool! ve Kot to get his scalp.” Spiner did not feel it incumbent on him to explain that he already had tried, and had learned that the Government appeared to think uncommonly well of “Old Man” MacNell, as he was designated in the x ° Miss Spiser did not seem particu- jurly responsive to his brother jocu- Jarity, though she nodded. 'o-morrow mornin’, then—at ten?" ‘be ready -you may count »mmunity that!” Nan laughed joyously and t Danis (aun) Wan ACE ou Ajance uf her face The afternoon's sun K when Spiser pulled the tired horses to a standstill on the edge of the Spiser anew 5 x mesa and, with the butt of his whip, nd Pe Eee with melene volee pointed in, real pride to the valley Mr. Poth was eyeing the formers Lenya iheBleamespiokura® vunluhing, back WIth AN ERDTESN OT nay after the. long, dusty he responded dryly ride of t ernoon, it did look 6 Nan looked at him in surprise Nan ih of paradine A Don't the grub suit’ you here, #mall stream ran like a allver ribbe ma'am? he inquired with a queer along the emerald green of an alfalfa awkwardness of manner. And ad- fleld, while steep bluffe of red sand ded enticingly: °Tve been thinkin’ stone on either side of the valley re of sendin’ back Kast and gittin' me @ flected the glow of the setting sun kit of macker The air which rome from the blow That , then the prospect of freshly irrigated alfalfa Meld owing & Her wis the of the inveluntarity Kenia rds ack of enthusiasm on of delight over the proposed visit. She hastened of the peaceful svene to assure him Le drawback haven't @ single complaint. You tw ite lone. are all too Rind, It's only that L someness, but now" Splxer looked want to see a real ranch—a big one steadily at Nan "1 won't even have like the L. X., and this seems Ike that complaint.” The remurk recalled her to herself Mr. Poth aaid nothing further, but and intensified the growing convic- the sour expression of his face did tion that she ought not to be there. not alter, and Nan felt sorry to have Her eyebrows contracted in a frown discovered in her amiable landlord aa she scanned the road behind her jordid trait, once mora in search of the distant A Mexican teamster, grumbling at speck which would relleve her anx- being obliged to rush off at only twelve or fourteen he rived at eleven for Nan cart wheel brought a grou of cow- fow minutes later Spiner himacif rat- punehers to the door of the bunk ed up in his curt house to quite frankly sare ae Spiser “Sorry Im late,” be explained im drove past the duor to the square wuch an opportunity.” white cottage across the road on the bank of the stream “How are you, briefly, and they equal brevity: “How are yout? Nowhere did Spiser's appearance feem to evoke enthusianin, Nan w. but of the a boys’ he anid responded with when they her in penition, ‘There war no miatak- ing the surprise and disappointment they held. Her voice and manner were atrained and self-conscious when the cart stopped at the door of the cottage and Spiser raised his arma to help her out, while all the occupants of the bunk-house across on in aile Her the road looked cr, trunk, along with a small -mache affair of Mins Spiser's, he poreh, Perhaps in all her an never had known @ mare Mfortable moment than when Spiser opened the door of the gueat- er and told her to make herself at home. ok bring supper ras he was go ng out, an protested hastily “But I'd rather—much rather--have supper where the reat of them do!” Hier preference hnd no weight with m. “LT don't eat with my m can avoid it,” he returned © 4 Some subtle change had come over Spiser which Nan was quick to feel an added assurance, a satisfied man- er which conveyed the impression that he was master of a situation en- tirely to his liking. Her uneasiness increased, as more and more keenly ah alized the awkwardness of her position. ‘The stiliness of the musty houre added to her nervousness, though she tried to reassure herself with the thought that her fears would seem absurd enough when Misa Spiser ar- rived. “You haven't any sand at all,” she told her reflection in the mirror, “to get in such a state over the first un- usual situation. You!—who | were pining for this kind,” the pale {mage answered back Shortly Nan heard the cook layi the table, but ehe did not leave room until Spiser rapped upon he door and announced supper. Con- strained to a degree under the in- quinitive eyes of the cook, she took her seat at the table which war Iaid for two only, Spleer pushing her chair beneath her with a great show n when I rt of gallantry. He seemed rloyaly way and elated, she thought. in looked In annoy: ata wine glass set conspicuously before her plate. Was it not possible for him to seo that her position was sufficiently uncomfortable without that She turned her géiss with a little more vigor Ce essary. That sparkle need at her oddly as jaced platters upon the table. m sure you'll change your mind,” Spiser replied, unruffied. “TI always keep a little out here on the eh for celebrations,” he added. ence, fill Miss Galbraith's gla: Thin time Nan's eyes flashed un- mistakably, “Positively not,” and she lifted her small hand in a decided negative, Spiser shrugged his shoulders. “Sult yourself, That'll be all, Cla ence, we won't want anything more to-night.” “But your sister,” Nan looked at him searchingly, “she will surely be here shortly" — “Oh” he answered _carelesaly, “Clarence can get her up? something if she comes.” “If he comen?” The cook would have given much have heard Spiner's anawer to the sharp interrogation, but he dared not loiter, and alread: rd enough to strengthen Ben Evan rtion that there was something wrong that the girl who had been in hin mind day and night aince he had glimpsed her on the bench under the cottonwood tree, and Spiser’s pal women guesta, were not of an Nan's appetite wan gone. apprehension, angry resentment taken it entirely. She felt that, #he had been tricked, but for what ‘pur- pone ahe, as yet, tould not clearly nee, She war too accuatomed to re- pect and deference to beileve that Spiaer or any other person would dare to offer her nerious offense. ‘The unresponsive coolness with which sho mot hin gayety seemed to disturb Spiser not at all aw he ate d drank with keen enjoyment, atop- ly to regard her with Dismay, back in his chair and considered her comfortably, “Looka pretty good to me to are vou ettén’ there opposite so soctable jon’t you think y" half cloned hia eyea and looked at her ud of amoke. whe cried furt- *You are detestable! 1 don't you should have oualy. understand why placed me in thin poaition.”” Yh, yes, you d he contradieted, good-naturedly. “Don't waste your breath telling any pretty little femi- nine fairy tales like that, Any wom- an only half a# smart as you are vuld see T've been crazy about you er wines TE first saw you" Nan flushed hotly [yn't it possible for you to unde stand th cht in which sou hay ate demanded. “Are you dense to realige what an unmanty, divhone y advantage you have taken of m you your {know now that intention of bringing ma Hed tet little girl, de had no slater ’ ome, 1 sp he urged | are all alike you pretend you don't a high band, but you n't you learned y ® mana in love he'll do most anys thing? I'm in love, and I'm the kind that takes what he wants In any way an get tt, in love or business, or this particular moment" —he shoved hin chair from the table "more than anything else in the world L want tok scornful red lips of yours, Nght! hie short le able—“the better Ti like tt am hand with bronea and women.” “How ingult guest! it How dare you your house—your “Nan's eyes biased into dle = By Caroline Lockhart § Author of “ME, Etc. 00000 oy as ahe sprang to her feet at his ad- btother owe him money. He find out vance, who give you a horte or let you stay “Yours, my dear--yours so long as all night, and he take their cow, you will have it.” horses, chickens — everthing. You “Lat me out! Let me go!” Even have not live here long enough to un- with the imperious demand she real- derstand, senorit ized hopelessly that he had no in- = “But the postmanter’—— tention of doing either, as he pur- Mrs. Gallagher's face brightened corey stor ween her and the forget him. Yes, he will ip oor. ou, “Where?” He smiled in cynical : She understood now that “Old Man” amusement, “Somewhere on tht must be a decent ma tously. ty handsome foreman, per! “Yer—your foreman, th flashed defiantly. “My foremen do not Interfere in my affairs—new ones are too easy to wet. Come, Hittle girl’—hin tone took & conciliatory note—“cut it out, MacNeil had been offering her his protection when he had told her that he was her nearest neighbor in case of “homesickness.” And Frits Poth with hie sour looks, he too, in his way, had been trying to warn her. In the light of what had Rappened Nan seemed to herself to have been incredibly stupid. “We will go to El Oro,” she said ® cle thin tragedy business, and let's be “ecidedly, “and we must no de tre here u've got to time.” ‘Then, curiously, “And you, fenry T. Spiser is boom, Mrs. Gall are not afraid of X. outfit—-bosa of Hope- Spiaer like all the rest? dale County, and boss as much far. | An. eniematic expression cro@sed the Lj brand rune, He the woman's face "No: Lam not afraid of the Senor me toward her until his out- Stiver. But for you-yes, Fam stretched hands afl but touched her @fraid.” shoulders. They wore eating a hasty break- fast whén Mrs, Gallagher arose and walked quickly to the window, A cloud of dust told of some one coming off the mesa, and Nan paled, thinking Spiser might be already re- turning ack-—coming fast: Nan ateuck him a stinging blow across the face. Spiner turned white with fury. “Oh, if that's your atyle"— He grasped her wrist in a grip of ateel Outside a horse coughed, and then > “He ta on ho they both the unmistakable It is Ben Kyana." sound of hoofa on the hard-trodden — Instantly » jumped to the con- door yard v clusion that he had learned or Nan shrisked: “Some one—pleane— guessed tho truth and was coming come!” to her ald. But her elation and re- The door war pushed open and a lief were short, for he rode past the moceasined foot thrust in the crack window without so much as a glance before Spiser could drop the catch. and stopped at the biackemith shop, “What the devil do you want?” he rear the m ink house, demanded harably of the intruder, He was only on an errand, and on “What the devil should T want, ono no more romantic and chivalrous senor,” returned a voice with equ than a half-dosen forgotten horae- nimity, “but @ place to atay all shona, night?" Nan could see Hin face; soberness “Mra. Gallagher!" and then t lution crept over it as “Senor Spiser! The piercing b parition that night seemed Spiser with their boring Mrs. ¢ © hastened outside and explained the situation to him. She seemed to be urging something with Many vehement gertures. Was It por- sible, Nan asked herself, that he was ek ever of the ap. come out was tall, gaunt and stra mht ax ®& hesitating? Lombardy poplar. Ho showed distress; indi; m + eniition Her high cheek bonem told of even; hut there waa nothing in. hix Apache blood, and two tight braids of binck hair sprouting from under either ear shone with some oint- ment, the pungency of which seemed to tear holes In the atmosphere. Her bright-hued garments were neither distinctively Indian nor Mexican, but A little of each She was’ a atriking figure as she faced Spiser, passive yet somehow formidable. “T will keep the senorita company.” She stood with her arme folded under her blanket waiting for him to go. ‘There wan nothing else for him to do, a0 he Went with a black look of natal slamming the door behind im. Nan, now trembling from head to foot, laid both hands upon the wom- an's shoulders: erted. manner which conveyed the impres- sion that he was bufning with a knightly eagerness to fescue a fair maiden from the consequences of her indiscretion. He accompanied Mra. Gallagher with no great alacrity, Nan thi t, and her chin went a little higher in the atr, ice ols that ye era '¥ us, you our pay = re “The mujer here has told me*—he looked at ber with troubjed “hut f don't Just see bow T dh to af x20? ii : a i é Fr * i 3 ‘epen ft. “Frits Poth,” she said, proratcally. almost doubted her ——— 0 W @ide her door, Nan tossed aleeplessiy in the guest She thought that in some way ehe must have been to blame, too—lack- She felt cheapened, disgraced, to have figured In such an episode, and “Oh, it was dreadful!" she 5 "God must have sent you! bom ire serie CHAPTER V. Flight. HILE Mra, Gatlagher reposed pjATait. Ben vans bere, felt chamber of the Eameraldas ranch house. The experience of the evening wae a harsh one to a girl reared in ing in reserve and dignity—elee how could he have so misjudged her? And he had Iied to her about his sis- her cheeks burned again and again with shame. It was eome aolace in her humilia- ‘The woman shook her head. + Nan stared at hi on: guard on the couch out- ignorance of men of Spiser’s type. ter’a coming—he had inaulted her! tion to know that Frits Poth at least had not misunderstood her, elae he lagher advised: would not have sent Mrs. Gallagher , “It te better that way, eqnertia. Tt with such di yay ets te too far for you to walk. us jeapatch for the very ob- “We will wait, ‘Wan Ylous peason of protection. “ingly consented, “but"—adidly—' nm remembered now that Frits. Poth had pointed Mrs, Gallagher out as & mongre) lady with an Apache him away, own mother, a Mexican father, and, some- for the moment forgotten in the keen where in the States, an Irish husband realisation that in @pite of ate named Gallagher. The mongrel lady looked a monument of eafety to Nan in her present plight. And Ben Evans--what must he She wae conacious that she ed what he thought. some way, some time, ahe told herself, she must find an opportunity to explain some: thing of the circumstances, She fell into @ doze, and when she awakened Mra. Gallagher was re- warding her from the doorway while she deftly rolled a brown paper cigar- ette “He's gone," vouchaafed that per- son briefly, * Nan sprang out with energy. “And we must go, too—at on Mrs. Gallagher e@hrugged a plebelan, in this she wronged him, as ehe was glad to know when Mrs. Gallagher, : ome one was coming. “A woman, I think; yes, an Ameri- cans leading two horses.” wal 18 e108, wee, good, but she her- nelf cou @ Out only two Fa: toving apache aire, Gal ond very positive, however, an few minutes proved that she was right. Nan did not immediately recognize the «irl who rode up, flushed and breathless from the fast gallop and the affore of leading two unwilling horses. Hier hat was awry and her faded habit powdered with dust whea drew rein tn the dooryard where Nan was watting, She sald without cere- mony ‘Throw what you need in that you can tlhe behind and pil fant us you can, Splaer's Hable to be back any minute, I thought I saw jean ah Ne Yes, he'll be bi go?" ; but how we can ride.” eWhatt! Mra. liagher made an expressive Kosture, “All the horses ure turned out; mine too.” Nan raised the window shade and stared at an empty corral “howill walk, then r looked scepttently at feut to Hopedale. that to El Oro." looked doubtful mtvan in EL Ore and him drive out of a gulch as T dropped ro Splaer. ‘They owe off the menu” Dim money, or thelr father or *their (To Be Continued.) The strange exploits of a Nw York man who has contured reoklessly into a forbidden world of the Orient, ALADDIN FROM BROADWA By Frederle S, Isham WILL BEGIN IN =NEX T= Monday’s Evening World a