The evening world. Newspaper, April 25, 1914, Page 9

E 1914, by 3, B. Lippincott Co.) OF THE trial, he it known the opening of Ben Evans’ owed it to himself to m: peece. that the holding of court in such sur- CHAPTER XVII. (Comtiqued,) Arrested. MBHE sound which voiced Mrs. Biakely’s surprise and grief resembled the siren whistle on @ factory. ; ‘ “Looks like we're breakin’ Bp a nest of sometbi: observed the Geputy when the little Blakelys took up the wail in different keys. Ben!” Edith laid her trembling Band upon his arm. “Rusti he exclaimed s ribbed it up on me. ‘What can we do?” she asked, white to the lips. ‘He shook his head. “1 ain't got much show in @ deal e this.” He hesitated an instant: “I swish you'd ride to Las Rubertas and tell ‘em—telll hi —I didn't do It. Good- by—goodby, Edie.” He turned on his heel. “I'm ready,” he ry waiting officers sprang into the eaddle. fo Ben was placed in the stone edffice in Hopedale known locally a: Fritz Poth con id curtly to the tributed two #00; ing the slats in the bunk, while the citizens of Hopedale came singly and eollectively to lighten the hours of his duress by conversation through the ting at the small window of the The formality of a preliminary Dearing was dispensed with by Judge “Bil” Thompson, who owed his seat upon the bench largely to the fact “that otherwise he would have become @ town charge. When the Judge arrived at a cer- tain stage of inebriety, midway be- tween the mellowness of a few drinks apd the tota! loss of his faculties, he ‘acquired a preternatural loftiness of bearing which combined in his own Bulky person all the dignity of the Supreme Court. Frits Poth had learned to a nicety the exact moment at which to “flag the Judge or court days, and when the signal fell Hopedale wag.as dry us Death Valley #0 far as His ‘onor was cerned. <The acquaintanceship of Judge Bill Thompson and Henry T. Spiser was of long standing, belonging to a pe- ried in the past of h to which meither referred. As soon as Nan received the me: gage Ben had sent, she ran whit faced and trembling to Riley's door. In the first shock of it she did not attempt to conceal her agitation and deep concern. The extent to which she was stirred by the news of Ben's arrest startled Bob. It convinced him more than anything else of the hopelessness of his cause—more even than her own words. tached to Ben who, in spite of his many admirable qualities, lacked . He had stubbornly refused to admit, in the face of the evidence to the contrary, that her interest in the cowboy was more than a caprice, an ephemeral fancy to which a girl of Nan's temperament might be sub- but at last was convinced of ite sincerity. Mesalliances were oc- curring every day to confound s0- clety. Evidently this was to bo one of tl them. : “Do you think it's serious?" She udied his face hay asl . "t know, Nai . “bare she demanded indignantly, u don't believe it? ‘Bob shook his head. I don't believe it. Ben ts ‘s either a mistake or @ racy.’ vom ‘areadtul—to be arrested—in gail! It sounds so disgraceful—and common, You read about people who commit arson and bigamy and mur- 4er, Dut somehow it doesn't seem real to yor woes eee Lael can people in a thousand yoars— ie u really know somebody ir words, “"t's not a pleasant thing for you to be mixed up in, Nan,” he answered you can for him, the pleaded. roundings was without his sanction and not at all to his tast And, indeed, the tting was unique, Buxom damsels in purple : tights blew foam from mugs of beer of amazing size in the highly colored lithographs on the wall. A spangled fan hid an unsightly stove-pipe hole. The spiders had woven their webs be- tween the yellowing curtains of coarse lace at the dingy, fly-apecked windows, and the floor was littered with the tarnished gilt which had dropped in chunks from the gaudy moulding. The Judge with deliberate move- ment took his seat in a faded plush chair upon the raised platform where the orchestra of the dance-hall had twanged ita wild music. A plank across two stout whiskey- barrels made a satisfactory desk and what with a short axe-handle for « gavel, a pitcher and glass, togeth with the armful of imposing volume: which the Judge laid upon it, the furnishings, though novel, seemed complete. ‘The Judge eniffed as he sat down. He looked at the whiskey-barrela— they had long been empty; then he reached for the pitcher and regarded its contents long and steadfastly be- fore he applied its side to his lips. “Ah-h-!" It was not known in Hopedale that the Judge derived such * satisfaction from a cooling drink of water. Rather as due the weight of his honorable office than from necessity, the Judge settled a pair of nickel- plated spectacles upon his ruddy nose before he looked over the court-room and inquired blandly: “Has this here gent got ary lawyer to defend him?” The question was purely @ formal one, since it was well known that Bob was to appear for Ben, and the crowd which filled the improvised benches was due largely to curlosity arising from this fact Bob rose from his seat on a box, near the judicial keg. “I am counsel for the defendant, Your Honor.” “Your Honor!" The visible swell- ing of the Judge's chest made him pitoh backward. He regarded Bob severely: “Air you a Jim-crow, or a reg’lar lawyer?” “T have been regularly admitted to the New York bar.” The Judge considered a volume, pursed his lips and considered. “In which case,” he said finally, “I reckon you air entitled to practise in this court with my permissio: Bob bowed deferentially: you.” The Judge's hand executed a mag- nanimous flourish and Fritz Poth pinched himself. Could that imposing personage, so wevere and profound that the most audacious dared not address him familiarly, be the same that he had ejected from his hotel the night before for retiring with his boots on? The Judge raised the pitcher to his Nps, removed the moisture with the back of his hand, and tapped sharply on the plank with the ax handle: “This here court will come to order —pronto! Silence fell. “The jury will come to the front and set on this bench aa I reads of their names. Old Man Hathawa: Ben leaned and whispered to Bob as a shifty-eyed person rose expect- antly and shuffied forward. “Challenge!” Bob called peremp- torily. Surprise waa everywhere. “Who you challengin’, young feller?” inquired His Honor, taken aback. “This is no time to start anything,” he admonished. The judge stiffened. “That may be law in New York, but t'aint here,” replied His Honor, “We make ourn to suit ourselves. Hatha- way, slide along on that bench and make room for Johnny-Behind-the- Deuce!" “He owes Spiser a five-hundred-dol- lar poker debt," Ben whispered, “Ch. Neng Bob called sharply. ‘The gambler, who bore a surprising resemblance to the Jack of Spades, hesitated. “You hop into that seat,” command- ad the judge. “French Pete!” “He's diggin’ post-holes for Spiser,” was the information Ben imparted. “Challenge!” “Look here!” the judge turned fiercely upon Bob— “you cut in again and I'll fine you for contempt of court.” Bob returned imperturbably: “I merely want our objections noted, be- cause, of course, we'll appeal this case |f the verdict ia againat us.” ‘The judge brought the axe-handle down with a resounding thwack. That's pure sass, young thank man. ‘was ever set aside yet. tle-thief geta a sentence here he docs me. “Fimanuel Armijo and Antonio Ea- trada, come forward and fill up the ed quietly, “I'll do Penen. Five jurors are enough on . this case.” ail I can for him—end for you. T '\tive jurors Ike those are enough "1 yw much I can do. Cot Sars tore out here and I've n that Justice is not @ cone Qoia ‘in the local courts, but voy Count on me to the extent ity and resources. 80 good to me, and pa- sald gratefully. don't Theo Shed ot the pained, look in bi -4 ntly to cov and added Cy be AC, jon: “It'a vr it a Finer {t—I'm gure of It.” ome ‘than likely,” he agreed. win, but before we're tae nent ‘ana victory more expensive than defeat, for we'll Aght him through every court. \ gametes sty CHAPTER XVIII. “our Dough” to the Rescue. rT} m=1OOKS to this court as | though « city the size of | what Hopedale is get- \ tin’ to be ought to pro- , vide some place for the Rapdin’ out of justice besider this here ex-palace of gilded vice. Judge Bill Thompson fixed a sternly Gsapproving eye upon an unmistak- able feminine garment which atill fa- estiously draped the chandelier, though its owner had long since de- ted along with the prosperity of Bepeda which period dated from elu in silver. ‘The Judge had viewed the garment without comment, but he felt beer of the ladies present at ‘would do without you.” begt on any case,” Bob observed, signifi- cantly, and another burst of laughter pectators’ appreciation of his meaning. “The Judge reached for the pitcher and drank long and deep. “Ah-h+hl” The rasping sound was Inning to bring an exchange of suspicious @tances in the court-room. “Gentliomen”—the Judge swung the plush chair toward the self-conscious jury, who looked uncommonly like a ® 4 Tow of jallbirds—"thin ia a serious case what is up before us to-day, and one with which we have no manner of sympathy. Cattle and horse thievin’ must be stomped out in this commu- nity, and it's up to you to do the stompin’, “The name of Las Verdas County has allus been kept pretty nigh as pure ene unpolluted as its air, all except em swung over the bluff. And how has it been kept #0?” The fivo jailbirds looked at each oth- er, The Judge answered for them: “By our untiring and ceaseless vigi- lance! In other words, to use the picturesque vernacular of the commu- we reside, by flyin’ down plece out of a rustler whenever we see one. Shall we set back and let a rambunctious son of ‘Texas come in here and give the fair- ent spot on God's green earth a black eye by makin’ it onsafe for an honest man to own a hoof of stock? Prisoner, stand up and tell the Court your nanre.” The “rambunctious" son of Texas unfolded his six feet of body and faced the Judge. seventeen rustlers what was COW! F The Judge's face dan expression of cunning. that your name where you from or one what pleased your when you come into the terri- n answered curtly: t's my name anywhere.” Whatcha gotta say, Mr. about this here rustlin’ charge Judge's tongue sounded a little thick and his eyes, as he fixed them upon lien, watered weakly. “Air you guilty, young feller?" “No; and what I have to say won't take long. I never run ourebrand on Spiser's cows, and he knows it. ‘The rustin's on the other side and 1 can prove it. That's all 1 got to say, and you can believe it or not, as you blame please.” ‘fhe prisoner sat! down abruptly. “Would it not be as well, Your Honor,"—-again the Judge's spin stiffened—"a trifle more regular, pei ps, to swear the jury and to rr st the plaintiff first to state his au ff case?” Job's tone and manner waa all def- erence as he arose to make the sug- gestion, but Nan saw his lips twitch ever so slightly at the corners. The judge closed his eyes and con- sidered these points for a time, purs- ing his lips as he deliberated. It might be as well to humor this stranger, he reasoned. It would ap- pear more impartial; and it was really a small matter, after all, whether the prisoner defonded him- elf before he knew exactly of what ho was accused, or afterward. The judge's hand sought the pitcher and, though his eyes were still closed, he found the handle with unerring in- stinct. “Anh-h-h! Poth, do you think you can jump up a Bible handy?" “They was one here’—Poth raised the dust of many months blad on a shelf—but a doy rat got away with most of it. I know where they's a mail-order store's ca’ alogue—a sheep-herder's Bible ts bet ter than nothin’, jedge. Here's wh: left of it!" Poth held up the chewed remnants, adding cynically: “ain't becomin,’ Mr, Poth,” said the Judge reprovingly, “in a gent as sells as poor whiskey as you do to cast slurs at the Gospel. Will the Hon. ‘Hank’ T. Spiser kindly step for- ward and swear himself?" Spiser, who had been leaning against the wall in the rear of the room, extracting vast satisfaction from’ Ben's predicament, Nan’s pale face and anxious eyes, now pushed his way to the front an@ “swore him- self” upon the tattered Bible, “This fellow,” he nodded contempt- uously toward Ben, “was foreman for me far over a year and gave fair sat- isfaction until a certain party"—his face was ugly with a sneer—"“came into the country, when he began to neglect his work, and I fired him, He was sore and threatened to get even. je went Into partnership with a ‘nester’ down in the Longhorn bosque and their herd didn't. grow fast enough to suit ‘em. My foreman saw some suspicious looking brands in thelr bunch, I hired a couple of Mexicans to trail ‘em and he found it no great, job to come up on this fellow Evans burning a brand, I had him ested and that’s all there is to it.” He turned to leave the stand. Bob stopped him with a quik ges- ture. “Just a moment, if you please, Not quite all there is to it, Mr, Spiser, if you will try you may recall the fact that at the time you discharged Evans he reported having come upon your present foreman in the act of burn- ing @ brand on one of Blakely's cs “He did not report it," returned Spiser coolly. Rob's restraining hand upon Bon's arm kept him in his seat. "No? Bob's tone was polite in- quiry, “But if I should tell you that he did see your present foreman in the act of burning a brand, that T also was a witness, you would, of course, discharge him Spiser replied with heat: “That's my business.” “What—rustling?” And again the courtroom snickered at Bob's au- dacity. “I ‘appeal to the court.” Spiser turned furiously upon His Honor. “I didn't come up here to be insulted!” “Tha'sh right!” The Judge endeav- sp for order, but missed the axeshandle mance \ EA MOON aN seenrenens - IN _ THE E —] The Komance of an Eastern Girl's |\—— =| Adventures on the Mexican Border |—— Ed montously to the sidewalk, Spiscr among them, his face like a thunder- cloud. Mr. McCaffrey walked briskly across the street and held up his dol- lar watch. ‘The perspiration stood out on the Mexican's forehead and he acrew his face In a grim: distress strained his eyes to distingu! hand ENING WORL By Caroline Lockhart Author of "ME, SMITH Etc expired and she must return without® Nan grew limp and sick, for in the delay. Altogether she was in no en- swift glance over her shoulder she viable fran of mind in spite of the missed Hob, and then she saw success of the trial horse which Edith rode now running ‘The stage for the railroad terminus nearly even with her own! A turn brought the end of the canyon in sight. Outside, bawling cattle with their heads and tails in the air were running aimlessly from the threaten- ping a tiny shrub that somehow’ Spread its roots in a bit of: shallow, ar: | | be » can’t find the foothold betow, pia U dare not let go to look.” t Clarence Strunk was quite now, but even with his wits him it was no safe or easy task reach the place to which Bob had left the next day but one, and tn the interim Nan knew she must make up her bewildered mind as to what she was going to do. Edith, too, felt s! could object in McCaffrey’s ae ay no longer, and it was her ing danger. climbed in the “Don't be bashful, pardner,” en; suggestion that Nan and Bob) should Ten seconds! Five weconda! Could + couraged the crow: don’t be scai t travel a part of the way to the Lon they make it? of your voloe! Speak right out! rn bosque with Hen and herse! ‘The yellow wall was all but upon But Ospino was “scart” of other things than his voice, for he was unable to more than dimly see Mc- Caffrey, much less his watch. In desperation he blurted out at them. following the receipt of Nan's telegram. Since Edith was determined to go, Ben could do little else than accom- pany her on the long ride. fainting, swayed in the seated in the buckboard, musta,” agreed Clarends. .~ ‘They heard the splashing of horses, and then Nan and Edith and Ben Nat ! Hang on! Just one jump Ben's imploring cry was lost in_the roar of the flood. more: came around random: ‘This ride meant as much to Edith Then it burst from the confining riders stopped on Cesta ter Steen “A gunl" as to Nan, for the boague girl had Walls of the canyon with a kind of their own eyes, for they, too, had ra’ derisive boots told ri Air you cow you saw wer'n't tator found her opportunity to slip the ashes of the heart of the wild dove in the pocket of Hen's chaps, and if there was any virtue in her mother’s sullen boom! boom! and spread into seen Edith’ a bing a wide, swirling river as the three she flood. pada - horses plunged, gasping, up the near- 8 Nan, wh been leant over est knoll the saddle- ores raul, her self. plumb sure @ burro’ with Bob now love ee urely “ spectators were before the “Bob!” Py 9 ‘and an it he never promised to give en he: answer CHAPTER XX. Bob! che cried, but be was: the toroughbred far away te Hear, nor did Bebo white, grief-stricken face color bios ey separated in the can: and Edith to go on vay to the one great question which he had asked her again in embarrassed eagerness. It wag not a particularly gay party Nan’s ‘‘Affinity HE Hon. “Hank” 'T, Spiser, who had been absent from ad looked more than ‘when upon their return to the courtroom he stood up to address ¢! he element in the courtroom had | that made ready to start in front of Hopedale since the trial, Nan and Bob t innate prejudice against the hotel the next morning, though . F yes {he natives dude,” and Bob, 1a hie Bob did his best und Nan made an drove Into town in time to Goodby, | Ben. well- fitting clothes, HY effort to be her vivacious self, But see a flguge that strongly resembled his cook emerging from the general merchandine store with his arms piled high with packages, while the greater portion of the leisure class of Hopedale followed in his wake. the clouds sagged heavy and blue over the mountains, the air was curi- ously still and oppressive and alto- gether the occasion for any of them was Rot conducive to high spirits. “You're Hable to get wet around the edges,” Fritz Poth said in friendly roomed, typified in his egy Hi that the word conveyed to their inda, But unconsciously in his briet stay he had absorbed something of the vigor and vim of the West, or perhaps it was only that he gave freer rein to a naturally forceful per- They rode in ailence the of the way to fom! in thought and ® new feeling of shyn sonality. warning, and tied his “slicker” on the ‘Two LX. pack horses and a saddle town they stoppped At any rate, as he talked to the horse stood at the hitohin; it in drink, = jury and to the spectators, the lat- go much be- front of the atore. ite nour tnwt rite romans ter, in fact, being the ones to whom yond the box canyon, I fancy.” Bob Spiner stopped his team and de- Bob, staring absently ‘at ted his plea, he was as blunt, jooked anxtously at the lowering ri he directed his Ensgnventional as one clouds, He still watched them an they "What your doin’ im. town, Clar- "Non fait or Rocce a eee of hemacives, and the barrier of prej- alternately galloped and walked over ence?” . Felear area enter, Jum ane udice melted between them. and bad stretches in the replied that person “Our last?” bias ar o which lay between them and the great crack in the low, spreading mountain which some convulsion of nature had rent asunder. For a distance of three-quarters of @ mile the road led through this gash in the mountain, the walls of which rose in places nearly sheer for three hundred feet. The same mountain stream which furnished Hopedale with water flowed through the bot- tom of the canyon, and road was the bed of the shallow ‘The jurors ed from ‘es - roved frome approving faces of the pectators. Spiser, for reasons beat known to themselves, held each and every one of them in his unscrupulous grip, yet public opinion in Hopedale when thoroughly sree ‘was some- be reckones \. bee: gly the jury,” lary BO shane “| rou to Lely ea aliint' go through life “IT am got into French Pate Lo-tmorvens= quietly, “I know that you ded to your future, and I no place in your plans, At have come to sce that I have chance of winning your love, an@ mean'never to bother you again. vee Py forgive me, Nan, ve anno; uu persistence? But peg Dare. What you got in that Spiser felt in his pocket for bis timebook. “I'll write you a check and you Just stay in town and wear them wocks out.” much obliged--but I “Thank promised the boys I'd git back; and while I think of it, Spiser, I wish you wouldn't smoke them horses up like there was no one else dude come into this country and in- Dersist that some di sult ol’ fren of mine—ol', ol’ fr’en’.” ‘The Judge was almost tearful. "That will do for the present, Mr. Spiser.” Bob received a look which lett him in no doubt as to Spiser’s clouds back there. , very to give you u; down’ smartly upon his knee-cap. Ben EVENS, ihicthy a self-confessed creek, that. not help It, I loved you ao! “Ouch! ‘Pha'sh right! Can't no fresh branded $4.8 V8. "Cuipable employer, “ “They are sure wicked lookin’ fhe hate to see a good team you go! And as long as r thooghe i wo i he is to walk out of the : oe rns ayo te srounens and heinous charg eer “Heinous charg’ ‘hed through the fomned Mr. Spiser frankly stared. ‘Was his cook as as a sheep- herder, or was he merely looking for trouble? As @ precaution, Spiser took the whip from ite socket and held blue army blankets filled with water.” iause reac! qnouing open Bob wae uneasy; he felt that they ‘siumbers to Nis feeling toward him as that person Judge's should return, Dut besttated 10 AUR Sith at tholttie ponelt, analog oak left the stand. “The Prosecution bas orale. up with a snort and rapped gest it because of Nan's and Ben's big bersegb yas od he out other witnesses, I presume for order, {nadvertently shoving One absorption in cach othe “ eectnaee, ontined.t ‘Wher'sh that saddle colored gent of his volumes to the, nore. 4 tion. He and Edith had dro: read the check careaitys “Now, what seen this The Judge's eyes vy xed it up and read: 'Year-| me of hind, making spasmodic efforts to while you're writin’, jest k uD roved over tho court room, and Juan {he Department of ‘Agriculture, 1892." talk, but without heart. what's comin’ to you from ‘com. Ospino stood up with a noticeable ab- a charge. reiterated the ‘They had ridden for an hour or pany, and make out one to yourself.” sence of alacrity. judge. gin’sh too for more before they entered the cool ~ 4, Splser stared. F Bob was an unexpected ded Hi him sotward oat Ps) Bulcirid ey pape pee sy t alls you?” he replied with a the case, and sending Ben ns to “Frits Poth stepped for nee ren air, “Been sleepin’ in the some distance through the rocky, creek-bed, when suddenly the horses seem so sim: the penitentiary did n slipped his hand pe gait had when his story was out- more ng pped nt The oe his head. Y Honor’s arm. Bu, ores lined for him by Spiser. rt hed'a made up for you, Bill, pricked their ears, and Nan's Me He knew the jury, which was of cnaceoutal better git to it. Young wheeled, stretching {ts neck as me “reckon I though to Isten. Spiser's choosing, an the Judge were f¢ejjer,” he addressed Bob, palpable tools, but there were the ice the sentiments this here e “How strange!” sh@ exclaimed. “Oh, crasy with grief.” spectators to reckon with, and, there Community when 5 turn the ‘whoa! TST “Joy. corrected sClarence, “And, #0! was something very disconcerting in prisoner loose?’ itted “What's th tter with you!” Splser, when you speak to me in pee. the directness of this suave young “4 yell of approval all but litt at's the matter you! He like this, I wieh you wouldn't be until “Something's —wron{ declared Faith. “My horse never acta like this. Bteady, now!” Nan's spirited horse tried to bolt. It took all her strength to pull him down. “They act like they smelled bear or some varmin' Mystified, Ben threw back hin head and searched the perpendicular rocks above them. man. Ospino was visibly agitated as he swore to tell the truth and gave the Court his name. “It ees not much I haf to say,” ho began in a high and tremulot “Senor Spiser his cows hire me to watch Ben Eva: not many days to wait. him run a cow Into the arroyo. my horse and crawl up where I can eo iliar, Just take the time and call me Mister—Mister Strunk.” The highly entertained listeners @aw Spiser’s jaw drop. “Not—the Angeles Strunk?’ Clarence nodded. “The same. Named for my lovin’ Uncle Clarence, who showed hia af- fection by kickin’ me out #o’s I'd learn what a dollar is worth. I own 15 per the roof. ee “Congratulations, Bob,” Nan amiled adiantly as she extended her hand, ‘upon winning your first case.” CHAPTER XIX. In the Canyon. OB now basked in the genial ‘ou not mi She shook her mentl; look. He haf the cow roped and dale's ap- His horse was quivering in every cent, of the at “No, ne, no! I'm not Gnrowed. Tk ase she: teX. Brent oe warmth of iiiwone boasted muscle: Baan ee ed dene tina ayia tine You Diay & mighty part in my Dappee I stay till I see him burn the brand proval. Its citizen: Simultaneously the horses reared 44 worth all I'm gettin’ to go through 2° You are all of it!* with a piece of wire. Then I hurry of his triumph over Splser and plunged, their nostrils distended. jite tagged ‘Claren However, me “But Ben! I don't their cara atiffly erect as though they heard or smelled some terrify- ing, unseen Their excitement turned to frenzy as they fought for understand"—~ ‘Can't ? It ie tl that T real iy av found your en hould not have appreciated your loyalty, your genuine until It was too late, away—querick!" “Why didn’t you stop him, 01 pino?” ‘The Mexican shrugged his shoul “I am not prepare to die, senor.’ “L can belleve that," Bob observed. “And you are sure—very, very sure that you. saw the 1.X. brand?” “Ver’, ver’ sure,” replied the Mex!- can positively, “How far off were you, Ospino?” Instinctively tho Mexican’s ey: ought Splser’s and that person him a warning look. “[ t'ink one hundred yard, maybe.” ever work with @ survey- in no uncertain terms to those who had not been present, and - tacttly agreed to overlook the fact turned to | that he changed bie linen with in- their heads, “There'a ome good reason for credible frequency and manicured bis 4 .7nerho, ocr we, oh but un- ageable. t geta me,” Ben still searched the canyon walla with his eyen ‘Then Edith’a raw-boned cayuse equenled, Good God!" Ren’a voice made his Msteners’ blood run cold, ‘A gullen, unceasing roar reached their ears. Faint it was, but growing louder even in the second that they Matened. “It's water! A cloudburat! For God's sake, give ‘em the spurs—it's man, they could ‘a’ added on ‘Percy’ and ‘Claude’ if it'd givd me the privi- lege of tyin’ a tin can onto you when I come into my rights. Spiser, you're bounced. Git out o' that buggy and gimme the whip! Ridin’ horseback te too fatiguin’, It was true enough, and Clarence Strunk had the necessary papers to prove it, which same he produced with alacrity for Spiser's inspection. “They're air-tight and water. proof!” declared Mr. Strunk, “And furthermore,” he went on, “while no hand to toot my own horn, it “to me like you ought to hi seen that I was somebody out of th ordinary, I got a hout me that shows pedigree, and then these long, taperin’ fingers and 4 I could not make up mp 1 told him back there inthe when wo said goodby, but he knew. “‘It'a all right, Nan, he think a heap of you, and I always will, but I might that @ range cayuse and horae don't make any kind team. I don’t blame you; he Hopedale, though there was every reason why he should have returned to the ranch immediately after the trial, No intelligent woman when @ man neglects his work is pleased 1 question brought a startled look into the Mexican’s eyes, and again they sought tho rear of the her. givings. woman, and more, for 8! eaid, room as though for advice, He stam- her’ father’s business comin’ down the canyon!" Ben struck jy I ; mered finally! Ban AOR NRE OF op Nan's horse with his reli aed rey, it Tike we ashe ie aye cane Nea = ane remember.” “ It disturbed her, irritated ber, to “Yo ve got to Fide for you bat yo . fight alone. . “That will do"—t’ Mexican looked hen his vital inter- gir! oe said in a 4 ki . ¥ his relief. “put ant 34 ett there: 000 Dh OEM ee ebamed her, too, Bob looked despairingly at the tow- at’, It came about that Clarence hey TT get ninane ne 660 Sean I'll need you again, Mr. McCaffrey." because she knew that Bob was an ering cliffs. ‘There was not foothold pasts hg se pedie horas. and some day I can send you eA ; ‘There was a buzz of surprise when well aware of the fact as she was there. To reach the end of thecanyon (hh Mic’ uiitow ee tis the cowpuncher you used to 2 . Laid ys seemed their only chance. ‘The horses needed neither rein’s end nor spur. They shook their heads free and ran like Derby winners gone stark mad with fear The water rained in showers from the splash of their flying feet. Yet that Ben should have been at the pede ay the spectators saw McCaffrey's red head moving like a flambeau from the back of the room to the stand, Not #0 much surprise because he was an unexpected witness as because he an- swered to another name than “Sour- Dough.” here in the cactus and Rob gathered her tn his luck through the can: burst hed pans n after the cloud- just a little bit nooner than would @ person who had not been in Ho je drinking heart- ily to his own health ‘The water, though falling rapidly, ranch. ‘With all Bob's apparent lack of ear- nestness, his careless cyniclam, Nan felt that he never would have shown such weakness of character where their future was concerned. “I can't belleve my good “You won" kiss me." said Nan, “until, you “You know t! i", o” In fact, Bob was a constant sur- the roar of the cloudburst, the in. Was still running swift and nearly They were married tn white. - Bob asked, m apr ritaean, panlboy prike ter and iano way more than describable din of many waters piled Helly-deor when Mr. Clarence Strunk washed church in Hopedaie Da = ee eee ee? in the eans with which he adapted In one, was growing louder with urged his Horses into the stream nisted. “Hetter nor a brother,” replied Mr, himself to. the crudo life and sur- every heartbeat, a Th spite of the fact that the water The family will expect something MCR Dea ithe hina fe roundings, Bhe enjoyed his compan- “We've got to do better!” yelled was swishing around his ankles, and of me,” she declared, “for the moon ts eee ee eT when ent eotien Tih ton lananlp more than ever vetore, Taste Ren. “ive 'om all the quire” He Be bad several narrow escapes trom full, and it's the last really good hame survey outfit vother ‘side of Was @ completeness about it whien leaned and laahed Nan’s horse, | | lpn he was half-way through the chance U'll ever have to shock them.” Rincon," was @ completeness apovation’with “cant: my horse ia nearly played canyon and congratulating himself | Mrs, Gallagher, Frits Poth and. Mr. (WIRY ald he leave the surveying Hen. because of his entire under- out!” Edith’s despairing cry rose upon overcoming the im- McCaffrey were’ conspicuous amon; Saene standing of her point of view. shrill pula to walt until the creek aub. the witnesses. And Clarence Strum “Canned,” Mr» McCaffre: swered His wit was subtle, his reasoning The constant jumping of rocks and sided a little more, when he heard a there, having come to town ‘to briefy. 7 via logiealnall” the, advantages of a driftwood, together with the terrific faint hall d t nplete arrangements for the sale 1 Lh Oe 7 ood pace, was beginning to tell on all the ad moved on and transfer of his stock in th. F Why? trained over an untrained inind stood frre ra ent of all on. Fidith's ‘icular canyon Cattle Company to Rob, i La out in glaring contrast. Bob was arranging with a guide to take him into the mountains and pur- le of Nan. He felt as “Because he et prunes out'n dish with his fingers every time passed, and he's near-sighted, Can't The house,” said Bob to. Ben, who 8 offered the management, “is ch more comfortable than worn out cow pony He dropped behind Hob alackened his horse's pace and Clarence Strunk's eves bulged. Ree ata poets ns eens On ae Feet he in his heart were bong fre it in his haste, but clung to Leena raTaae aplaahied a, little faster so in Shey ia orn, boas Be sance.” assing endurance, and he wanted to © , shy pia a 18 a . what will do, Mr. McCaffrey.” ket away. ‘There was no need to “Get off! Quick!" My Serpe nearly: onal 0b) Ae caleeraes ohne “Ospino?" | x thrust his wretchedness. in. upon She shook her head, but he caught smiled faintly, but his face was white rhe telegram which Nan wrote glee. ThePMecican atood up with aaickly Nana. happiness, Thanks to his the bridle when she would have passed with the strain as he spread ike a ay aged the family by years. It smile. trained ‘velf-repression he. was sure ang pulled her from the maddie. He starfish on the canyon wall the hall Fe a “Your Honor?" Bob turned to the she only dimly realized how much he threw her, rather than helped her, In- {7 an foat qreeting en 8 ast Bree ee ante week from to-day Judge. His Honor had slipped into cared, how deeply he was hurt, He to his own ae OS bat acer nt Naw dreamland, He waa not only asleep, was constantly on his guard when “Don't spare him—he can make tt!” i AA Bribe THE END, but a low gurgle proclaimed a com- with her lest he betray himself bY pre struck the quivering horse from o> ingt snore. some look or word, She snes made behind and it was off with a leap. ee Fritz Poth stepped forward and her choice, and the only thing whic The roar of the torrent reverberating 2 . looked into the pitcher Tt was now remained for him to do was to jn the long, empty canyon was now N Ww CY Yi7) N empty, but there was not mistaking uletly withdraw and take his medl- qoafening. wie boom of It) Was. BO Next Wee eek $s o piete ovel the lingering odor. cine like a man clone that Nan xlanced over her #houl- Nan was quick to feel the change in him, the subtle difference left her Who done this ever mind him he demanded, urged the citt- der and the sight behind her all but stopped the beating of her heart zona of Hopedale, now aroused, “He with @ feeling of helplessness, as ('nder her horse's racing feet an don't cut any fizger, anyhow. though some tinportant support had jnom er two of water flowed plecidly? B Frederic S Isha The cane , want to know who's lying In this here heen taken away. She had ‘not q hundred yards from his heels a . im a New York case.” Known how much she depended upon wall of water was rushing upon the who has nits a very enay matter to And out," him until he left her to decide avery: ike some monstrous thing of lite bent WILt BEGIN IN le veniere Nob replied. “Mr. McCaffrey, if you thing entirely for herself. She had on thelr destruction! recklessly into @ will be good enough to go to the op- token hia devotion and conatant at- The perpendicular face of it was N T ‘forbidden world’ posite wide of the street and hold up some object we can very quickly test thin witness's eyesight. Spectators, jury, prisoner—all save the aldmbering law—piled out uncere- tention as a matter of course and his withdrawal became the troubled un- der-current of her thoughts, Then, too, an imperative telegram came saying that her “furlough” bad as even as though sliced with a giant cleaver, and behind, uprooted trees, fence rails and gates, the roof of a house, a bridge, drowned cattle, pitabed and rolled in the yellow Sood: of the Orient. FRETS Monday's