The evening world. Newspaper, June 30, 1915, Page 13

A“ Two-Gun Man” y CH RIAA IRIN ho ae 6, reputation, 08 9 * boyhood the her's “thinegm year abwwnce Marston's weal lone fs to LR ad Indes F] ref ies diamond gtidded Wok which the father burted some- finch, and ae EI 1 a makes hia con Le Later, Calumet t ity cares for ‘Taggart, CHAPTER VI. A Meeting in the Red Dog. F the good resolutions that O night before, when he had reread his father’s letter in the monlight while standing vived. Black, vicious thoughts filled hig mind as he drove toward Larette. When the wagon reached the crest of Calumet halted the horses and rolled & cigarette, a sullen look in his eyes, ‘unrelieved by the prospect before him, joould Lazette be called attractive, “It ay forlorn and dismal at the foot of “ithe slope, its forty or more buildings jong the one street as though wait- wing for. the encompassing desolation © to engilf them. Two serpentine lines fee) Calumet had made since the Deside the corral fence, none had eur- &@ slope about a mile out of town By no etretch of the imagination ,@imgy, unpainted, ugly, scattered f eteel, glistening in the sunlight, Deane from gome mysterious distance © | across the dead level of alkali, Youched the edge of town where rose . ® little red wooden station and a ‘Water tank of the same color, and then bent away toward some barren ills, where they vanished. Calumet proceeded down the slope, halting at the Jumber yard, where he Jett his wagon and orders for the ma- terial he wanted. Across the street from "the tumber yard was a building on Which was a sign: “The Chance . Baloon.” Toward this Calumet went after leaving his wagon. He hesi- tated for an instant on the sidewalk, and a voice, seeming to come from mowhere in particular, whispered in Bis car: + Neal Taggart’s layin’ for you!” When Calumet wheeled, his six- @Rooter Was in his hand, | At “his him from across the street, stood @ He was lean-taced, hardy- dJaw-and steady, alert eyes. He was rently about fifty years of age. He ferinnea ‘at Calumet's belligerent motion. “Hearin’ me?" he said to Calumet's “Sold, inquiring glance. ‘The latter's eyes glowed. “Layin’ for me, eh? Thanks.” He looked curtously at the other. “Who are you?" he sald. “I'm Dave Toban, the Sheriff.” He threw back one side of his vest and knowin’ me?” “Knowed your dad,” said the Sher! “You Jook a heap like him. Besides, fhe added as his eyes twinkled, “there @in't no one else in this eeetion doin’ @ny buildin’ now.” rm sure much obliged for your Anterest,” sald Calumet. ‘An’ so Tag- gart’s lookin’ for me?” “Been in town a week,” continued the Sheriff. “Been makin’ his brags ‘what he's goin’ to do to you. Says Brine Lazy Y an’ then beat him up. t Denver Ed with him. Calumet's eyes narrowed. “I know him.” he said. * “Gun-fiehter, ain't hi questioned ‘the Sheriff. “Yep.” Calumet's eyelashes filck- @red; he smiled with straight lips. *Drinkin’?" he inquired. “Wouldn't do” grinned the Sheriff. “Publicly, I ain't takin’ no side, Pri- Yyately, I'm feelin’ different. Knowed ur dad. art's bad medicine this section. ferent with you.” “How different?” “Btraicht up. Anybody that lives around Betty Clayton's got to be.” Calumet looked at him with a grooked smile. “I reckon,” he sald, , “that you don’t know any more about ‘women thanT do. So long,” he added. ‘He went into the “Chance” saloon, leaving the sheriff looking after him ‘with a queer smile. Ten minutes later when Calumet came out of the saloon the sheriff ‘wag nowhere in sight. Calumet went over to where his ‘wagon stood and, concealed behind It, took a six-shooter from under his Shirt at the waistband and placed it carefully In a sling under the right wide of his vest. Then he removed the cartridges from the weapon in the holster at his hip, smiling mirth- lessly as Ne replaced it in the holster and mate his way up the street. ‘With apparent carelessness, though keeping an alert eye about him, he ‘went the rounds of the saloons, Be- fore he had visited half of them there ‘was an air of excitement tn the manner of Lazette's citizens, and knowledge of his errand went him. In the saloons that he ‘entered men made way for him, look- »ing-at him with interest as he peered impersona) intentness at them, or, .standing in doorways, they ‘watched him in silence as he depart- ‘e@, and then fell to talking in whis- pers. He knew what was happening wwLasotte had heard what T had been saying about him, and was Jreeping aloof, giving him a clear seresently he entered the Red Nog. ‘There. w dogen men here, eet: playii talk died ng cards, gambling oway a8 AY sotereal | men sat eilently at the les, seem~ tng taglook at their cards, but in weality watahing him covertly. v Other men got up from their chairs and walked, with apparent uncon- centre of the ern, away from reom,.go that when Calumet care- leasly tossed a coin on the bar in ent for a drink which he or- . og, ceniy, three men remained at w fy taken quick note of ‘thee ey were Neal Taggart; unprepoasessing: ae lal The Boss of Lazy Story of the Ranch Lands ARLES ALD Author of “THR COMING OF THI are ter was dark-complexioned, with . shoulder, ‘having “evidently followed» Hooking, witht a -atrong, determined opp, wheedied him into comin’ over © | res ” 5 The E ven H N SELTZER LAW,” We, with a truculent eye, rimmed by lashiess lide, and with @ droopin mustache which almost conceal: the cruel curve of his lips, whom he ; knew as Denver Ed—having met him several times in the Durango coun- try, & medium-sized stranger whom he knew as Garvey. The lat- a hooked nose and a loose-lipped mouth, Calumet did not appear to notice them. He poured his glass full and lifted it, preparatory to drinking. Before it reached his lipa he became ‘ware of a movement among the three men—Garvey had left them and was standing beside him. “Have that on me,” sald Garvey, silkily, to Calumet. Calumet surveyed, him with a glance of mild interest. He set his glass down, and the other silently motioned to the bartender for an+ other. uf itranger here, I reckon?” said Garvey as ho poured his whiskey. “Where's your ranch?” “The Lazy Y," said Calumet. The other filled his a8. “Here's how,” he said, and tilted it toward his lips. Calumet did likewise. If he felt the man’s hand on the butt of the six-shooter at his hip, he gave no indication of dt. Nor did he seem to exhibit any surprise or concern when, after drinking and eoctting the glass down, he looked around to seo that Garvey had drawn the weapon out and was examining It with ap- parently casual interest. ‘This action on the part of Garvey was unethical and dangerous, and there were men among the dozen in the room who looked sneeringly at Calumet, or to one another whispered ™4! the significant words, “greenhorn” and “tenderfoot.” Others, to whom the proprietor had spoken concerning Cal ‘umet, looked at him in surprise. Still ‘8 merely stared at Garvey and Calumet, unable to accovat for the latter’s mild submission to this unel- lowed liberty. The proprietor alone, remembering a certain gleam in Calu- met's eyes on a former occasion, looked at him now and saw deep in his a slumbering counterpart to It, discreetly retired to the far end of the bar, where there was a whiskey barrel in front of him. But Calumet seemed unconcerned, “Some gun,” remarked Garvey. It ‘was strange, though, that he was not looking at the weapon at all, or he ight have seen the empty chambers. looking at Calumet, and It was apparent that his interest in tho weapon was negative. * “Yes, some,” agreed Calumet. Ha swung around and faced the man, leaning his left arm carelessly on the r. At that instant Denver Ed saunt- ered over and joined them. He looked once at Calumet, and then his gaze went to Garvey as he spoke, “Friend of yourn?” he questioned. ere was imarked deference in the manner of Garvey. He politely backed ifting his position so that Ed faced Calumetat a distance , with no dBstruction be- eyes met Denver's, and red the latter's question. Garvey having apparently withdrawn trom the conversation. “Friend of his?” sneered Calumet, grinning shallowly. I reckon not; I'm pickin’ my company.’ Denver Ed did not answer at once. He moved a little toward Calumet and shoved hie right hip forward, so that the butt of his six-shooter was in- vitingly near, Then, with his hands folded peacefully over his ohest, he spoke: “You do,” he said, “you mangy"—— Ther@ was a stir among the onlook- ers as the vile epithet was applied. Calumet's right hand went swiftly forward and his fingers closed around the butt of the weapon at Denver hip. The gun came out with a Jerk and lay in Calumet’s hand. Calu- met began to pull the trigger. The dull, metallic impact of the hammer against empty chambers was the only result. Denver Ed grinned malignantly as his right hand stole into his vest. There was a flash of metal as he drew thi concealed gun, but before its muzzle could be trained on Calumet the lat- ter pressed the empty weapon in his own hand against the one that Den- ver Ed was attempting to draw, ck - ing ite egress; while in Calum lett hand the six-shooter which he had concealed under his own vest roared epitefully within a foot of Denver Ed's chest. Many in the room saw the expres- sion of surprise in Denver Ed's eye as he pitched forward in @ heap at Calumet's feet. There were others who saw Garvey raise the aix-shooter which he had drawn from Calumet's holster, All heard the hammer click impotently on the empty chambers; saw Calumet’s own weapon flash around and cover Garvey; saw the flame-spurt and watched Garvey crumple and sink. There was a dead silence. Taggart had not moved. Calumet’s gaze went from the two fallen men and rested on his father’s enemy. “Didn't work,” he jeered, “They they? a mis connections, ald You'll get yours if you ain't out of HOW TOM “WON OUT”—No. Press Publishing Co. (N. ¥, Bvening Weg) Be ste al th a atl ing World Daily Ma SAK TN ANTE TIN UL en, bet sate y : gazine,. Wednesday; June 30; 1915 however, and the horses made hard for good with Neal Taggart. But he of his hand, bringing a curse to his i eh akte, Calumets 8) WEXT WEEK'S. COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVE wn a wiek work of it, a0 that when oe reacbed did not move except to draw one of lips. FN a bak bo be habe bit hn chaentn tn beh he ban 4 igeereh Taggart and looked coolly thele wa aebord and toot with thi .§ yee ine aan ot oe f mural sate oof p| r ; r 01 ro an a. Reena as Nid aa@aned, aot a 01 * eir over the edge of the gully. He shoved voice, “I legs braced, breathing heavily. Calumet waited anxious to get to Ms arm slowly forward so that it lay extended along the ground, the barrel of the pistol resting on the felloes of ous. But I'm gettin’ my band in.” This odd duel continued with long lapees of silence while the moon grew ‘hich had moved. He saw the Sheriff ea near the door, and It was to ently, He was e Lagy Y, but his he spoke. sympathy was with the horses. He the wheel. to a disk ‘Frame: ps A, ee in short, sharp rolled and lighted another cigarette, In this position he remained for west, snduring through. (he, Bloat ak, th i 1 urango te Den- holding the match concealed in the half an hour. No sound broke the chili time preceding the end of night, the little guy pulled It off palm of hia hand #0 that the breeze strained stiliiens of the place. The finally fading and disappearing as tho BERTS RINEH. p.| Sea ae orl Zour sun. bag Sy tage gm! it. " 3 horses forward, their far eastern distance began to glow ” ats vou riled. Sucks his hip ing thus, a premonition of dan- heads hanging, thetr lege braced. with the gray light of dawn. we ot OEY ON DATE oe ean in Loma ger oppressed him with such force and suddenness that it caused him to throw himself quickly backward. At the exact instant that his back struck the lumber piled behind him he heard the sharp, vicious crack of a rifle and a bullet thudded dully into one of the wooden stanchions of the mn frame at the of the sent, Another report followed it quickly, and Calumet flung himself headlong toward the rear of the There was no cloud in the sky and the clear light of the moon poured down in a yollow fikood, Calumet's task would have been easier if he could have told which of the four rocks concealed his enemy, As it bing he was compelled to watch them all. But presently, at the edge of one of the two larger rocks, the one near- est the slope, he detected movement. A round object a foot in diameter Calumet’s cold humor had not sur- vived the night. He patrolled the gully during the slow-dragging hours of the early morning with caution setting al eyes beginning to biase with rocity that promised til for Taggart. Shortly after dawn, kneeling in the gully at the end toward the ranch- house, heard the wagon move, He looked up to see that the horses had Gun's empty. you don’t know tt, an’ you try to forate Denver. paled instantly. Calumet thought Da there was reproaoh in the glance she threw at him, but he did not Bave time to make certain, for at the instant she looked at iim she darted toward @ rock about ten feet distant, no doubt Intending to conceal herself behind it. Calumet watched her. When she gained the shelter of the rock she de's =worde of “You're gure livin’ 4 tion of bein’ @ ai atx!” N Nor did Calumet inquire whe brought the news. But when one ® roaming puncher from the w that “young is around ag’in after monkeyin’ the wrong end of a gun,” he Planted an empt; ‘on him myself,” he said. “The guy fell for it, Bo did Denver, Iretkon that’s all. You wantin’ for this?” he inquired of the Sheriff. “You'll find the Lasy Y. Taggart"— He was nowhere to be seen. wagon, where he lay for a brief in- "4 h came siowly into view from behind started, evider was about to kneel in some fring- interest. He was anxious ded Calumet, with @ gtant, alert,‘ rigid, too full of rage the rock, propelled by an undeen of completing teelt dole od teeta? ing mesquite at its base when the question which had been tn don't reckon I'll want you,” said "Er, usterence, force. It was shoved out about three where they would find 8¢ he ‘alumet yell.at her, She mind since the morning of the Tobin, ‘Clear cane of self-defense: T qbut he was not too angry to think. quarters of its width, ao that it over- Water which they no tured, healtating in the act of knes!- ing. It was thi ty meant Fockon most everybody saw ike play, The, shois, he knew, had come from lapped the bix rock beside it, leaving doubt craved. As the wagon bumped /08. and at Calumet. Hie hit Taggart when she had shot Some raw.” + the left of the wagon. They had been qn aperture between the two of per- over the obstruction which Calumet ‘0° Was ashen. His heavy pistol him? He thought not; she had Doversl men had moved; one of wot Sees ut, commerh, Gad whoever three or four inches, WHhil6 had placed in front of the rear wheel, Pointed in her direction; It seemed tended hostility in order to q thom ‘was peering at the ‘faces. of Guartnchass although, be 4 corte with pact weighed 8 nee beg? hie sertigh tt Lo ens =e ie her, She him. But if that had been ay ~ -. into ie rture. Calumet ral ned, r in her ¢; h as ie i 6 tae Dew id Garvey. He now looked @ pitter grin, a trifle too slow of ~ "ioe Comenia ee tae Stle the weapon ‘cr ven 8 no Lt waited until the mu ind then he took qdick aim at the spot and pulled the trigger of his six-shooter, ducking his head below the edge of the gully as his ‘weapon crashed. He heard a a J mocking, dis- cordant, followed by a volce—Tag- "a voice. an miss,” it sald, “You're ner- r up at the Sheri ‘Nothin’ botherin’ them any more,” stopped over to Denver's confederate and took up the pistol from the floor near him, replacing it in his holster, By this time the crowd in the saloon was standing near the two gunmen, commenting gravely or Her knees shoo! covered face with her hands to shut out Peeling world, for she thought that in his rage he was shooting at her. But in the next instant she felt his arms about her; she whe squeezed until she thought her bones were being crushed, and at the same in- stant she was lifted, swung clear of movement to do any damage to him. ‘he His present position was precarious and he did not stay long in it, Close to the side of the wagon—the side opposite that from which the shots had come—was a shallow gully, deep enough ‘to conceal himself in and fringed at the by several big boulders. It was an ideal position became steady made their way slowly down the slope. It took them a long time to reach the level of the valley, and then they passed slowly through the wood, go- Ing as steadily as though t was a driver on the seat behind them, and finally they turned into the ranch- her nights when Betty thought the he was secreted in the ood ee ranchhouse, He increased his vigilance ceiving word that lore, he nie defeat been iy injured. allowed Betty to get out of jeter: to for he was plan to rob him. ba bt seatd tor oh and Calumet did not healtate to take eg eed fl came to @ halt near h-F ground and set suddenly down However, the days passed and vantage of it. Dropping from the ” ‘ in. rt did not put in an Aart tails tien ot aoe Oe eende a leap for ,, Like, you waa in town to-day" ““Carsmet watched them until they _ she opened her eyes, her whole body ‘Hime ‘removes. the ating. n't, tickle him @ heap, though. the gully, landing in {ts bottom upon Jeeyed Calumet, came to 4 atop and then he went to trembling with wrath, to look at hurts and even jealousy’s said another. “Seemed plumb shocked “Then you know me? returned g , ted, all fours. He heard a crash, and a 7 . the opposite end of the gully, peeping Calumet, within a foot of hit. But assuaged by the fight an’ disappointed, if you noticed his Duct hattensd iteclt against one of Tageart, I ain't admittin’ that 1 was Above it in order to learn of the he was not looking at her: hip gage eo after «while Calumet’s “Blick,” sat he rocks above his hi ” whereabouts of Taggart. He saw no relaxed, @ began Slick.” said another, pointing to thet ain't so slow, @ of the dark, then.” sald signs of him and returned to the Upon a huge rattler which was writh- he had scared Ta away. that t erart You left town a whole lot noted with satisfaction Calumet, who had turned his and was walking toward the door; “cool as ice water.” Sudden death had no terrors for these men; there was no inclination in their minds to blame Calumet, and so they watched with admiration for ‘his poise as he stepped out through the door, other end of the gully. ‘Taggart, he suspected, could not see where the wagon had gone and ing in the throes of death at the base of the rock where shi bot to kneel. severod from its body and whi! looked Calumet's plato! roared again and its destruction was completed. She was suddenly faint: the world resled again. But the sensation passed auickly and she saw Calumet atand- mitted grudgingly, ret concealed marksman. He kneeled in the gully and looked cautiously over its edge, The wagon was directly ig front of him; eng ot one of the rear wheels was in his line of vision. The horses were standing quietly, undisturbed by the shots. He sneorod Taggart; “‘mebbe I el Y hoot. I don't play rey game but my own.” Y ho doubt was filled with curiosity. Y ” Calumet; Neither could Taggart see the ranch- eee eae amcana game. A house, for there were intervening bills and the slope tself was a ridge which e ly shut off Taggart’s view. “ " . ” to ke them where they He raised his head a trifle and a “Taggurt'll be gettin’ his,” sald a Femives to Aeercising. the freateat bullet, sang past it, flattened. itaelt bg eg eb ed be 2 In clone to, her. Tooking at her with ‘ ” d-sized rock and against the roc! in im, cutting a Aisapprobation. Appare' Not to-night.” laughed another, care, he found 4 gow Ghort his speceh and his humor at the Presale Mette come out nud ad forgotten hie danger in his ex- stuck it under the front of the rear wheel nearest him, thus blocking the wagon against them should they be- seen him hittin’ the breeze out. An’ sundown’s quite a considerable citement over hers. sami . ‘The gully was full Y feat te a ab Atos +4 “T told you not. to come here,” ha Bhe looked at fifty feet long and he dropped on bes stand on the porch. the wagon for a moment and then distance away yet, too.” pe tne restless, his hands and knees and crawled to went toward {t—Calumet could se¢ 5 CHAPTER VII. “The moon was at his back, and he the upper end of it, away from the her peer ‘around the canvas side at , But a startled hehe leaped into her treated her a little | : grinned with satisfaction as he noted siope, He saw one of ‘'aggart’s feet the seat. eyes ot the words, Calumet eng more civily, ‘bows: The Ambush. fiat the rocks behind him threw a projecting from behind the rock and Arter a moment she left the wagon feo Montage “The net Tine amine had yielded to en he brought his six-shooter to a poise. ‘The foot moved and disappeared. Catching a glimpse of the rifle parrel coming into view around the edge deep shadow into the gully. He could not help thinking that his enemy, whoever he was, had not made a happy selection of a spot for an am- and walked to the ble, looking within. Then she took a turn around the ranchhouse yard, stopping at the bunkhouse and looking over the corral the ede of the wood, 200 yards away, kneeling, rifle leveled at them. Ho lied to Betty, but she did not aes 8 His attitude toward almost gentle, an when she watched him F Calumet had any regard over the outcome of his ad- venture in the Red Dog, it buscade, for the moonlight’s glare of the rock, Calumet sank back into fence, She returned to the wagon was that Neal Taggart had Pyveaied every rock on the other side the gully. Fifteen minutes later when tha wtoed beatae It an tnotah pew sched ‘Tatiaes eed aaitihy thon given him no opportunity to o¢ the wagon, and the few trees in he again cautiously rai his head ing, Calumet grinned in amuseme: hie rifle dropped from his hands as he equare the account between them. the wood behind the rocks were far above the level there was no #80 she was wondering what had become ran, tide to side, to Calumet had lingered in town until too slender to provide shelter for of Taggart. He dropped down into o¢ him, His grin was cut short by his horse. ted and fled, his Gusk, for be had given bis word and ® man of ordinary sige, Calumet the gully again and scrambled to the the crash of rt's rifle and he pony running desperately, accompa- erri usk, for he chuckled grimly as, with his head other end of it, raising bis head in hie the music tea rite that sud- would not break it, and then, it being siightly above the edge of the gully again. Ho saw Taggart, twenty-five deni and concealed behind the felloos of Eepalng Phy side feet behind the rock, backing a’ the wagon wheel, he made an exam- certain that his enemy had decided Y\ horse’ not to accept the challenge, he hitched he had A hole in his shirt sleeve near th toward the wood where his ination of the rocks beyond the stood, crouching, Watchful, endeavor- shoulder testified to his narrow ea- bis horses and just after dusk pulled wagon, ing to keep the rock between him and cape, ‘They watched 4 out for the Lazy Y. Something had ‘phere were four of the ro Calumet while he. retreated. His rage against Taggart fu. lshed, pie pony running steadily along at ot been added to the debt of hatred were of sufficient size to al Altogether, he was fully a hundred rious and with a grimace at him he fart and then turned to which he owed the Taggarts. cealment for a man. They varied in and twenty-five, feet away at the turned again to the ranchhouse. fe Be be gs or with » size and were ranged along the side "All moment Calum te him, and he wi end of the gull; Bt Just vacated, et stood erect and snapped a shot at him, though the distance was #0 great that he had little expectation of doing any damage. But Taggart ataggered, dropped his rifle and dove headlong toward the caught aslght of lookit Betty had left the wagon and had wall weveral steps toward him, “You plugged him, I reckon,” ho Pern a saal said, nodding toward the vast dletan rigid, oe swith vi ce fer haben: ‘Apparently ny Wd keard oe Tas Ba samme mat Se 7 ‘over’ the report of the rifle and was WOn- my int would plug me that ous. dering what it meant, At that Instant [78 ™ way, cue Gs Op hd the Kid of sue ‘His mavaning Was ‘Puld, thovgh be ly to #ee Taggart shovi o Thusale of hie rifle around the side of Gtwinht (athe esos «looked at him the rock. Its report mingled with the rour of Calumet's pistol. yas crimson and her lips trembled a As he drove through the darkening land he yielded to a deep eatistac- tion, He had struck one blow, a suddén and decisive one, and, though it had not landed on either of the Taggarts, tt had at least shown them what they might expect. He in- tended to d@liver other blows, and he was rather glad now that he had not been so weak as to allow Betty's of the trail in an irregular line. were about a hundred, feet The smaller one, he decided, was not to be considered, though he looked suspiciously at It before gnaking his decision. Its neighbor Was larger, though he reasoned that if he were to make a selection for an ambuscade he would not choose that one either. toward the c most the taterial attitude to drive him from The other two rocks were # rock. In an instant he had resumed Uttle. the ranch, for in that caso he would a pep iig ar Hess these Ris Position behind it, and Calumet | Taggart yelled with pala ead Tage “You are a bruvet” she sald. . hk 4 lot t . To could tell from the rapidity of his and flopped bac a rning swiftly she be; ever had never have discovered the plot to rocks was a clear space, flat and ts that he had not heen hit, Calumet laid an investigating pend te Gove’ Kan tO de- spread on the soft atur. ‘en te Ath it tree or a bueh large or open, with not a § enough to conceal danger such as he » arene ae eatiaine @ auite Ws) in AaeFeN Oh had just Fush toward the rock when he saw The slope up which he had just qaggart’s hand come out and grasp driven the horses was likewise freo the stock of the weapon, drageiur Tt from obstruction, #o that if h back to him. Galumet whipped were behind any of the rocks bullet at the hand, but the only result doomed to stay there or offer himself wag a small dust cloud beside it. Gh & target Sor COlumet's PUA. | “In a hurry, Taggart?” he Jered. “Wise, I reckon,” he sneered. “Fig- «aw, don't be. This is the most fun gered to plug me while the horses WAS ve had since I've been back in the Festin’, knowin’ I'd have to breathe Vvugned wince Ive been back ine them about here Thonght ono shot nittin’ the breeze, Hang around a ould get me. Missed hig reckonin’. while till I get_my hand in. I reckon Must be a mite peeved by this time.” you ain't hurt?” he added, putting a His gaze became Intent again, but jittie anxiety Into his voice. time It was directed to some un- [it\ie noxloty inte, Hie ved. Taggart rush about two hundred yards You hit the stock of the rifle.” “I reckon that wouldn't be account- ed bad shootin’ at a hundred an’ twenty-five feet,” said Calumet “It you hadn't had ‘the rifle in the way you'd have got it plumb in your bread-basket. cheat him of his heritage—would not have been in a position to’ bring dis- comfiture and confusion upon them toward 5 Sone. the ranch. Calumet stood lookin, ® moment, his face work! on his left shoulder, which felt ae though it had been seared by a red hot iron, He kneeled in the gully and tore the cloth away, The wound was @ alight one and he aneered at % He made his way to the other end of the gully, expecting that Taggart, if injured only slightly, might again attempt a retreat, but he did not see him and came back to the end near- est the ranchhouse, Then he saw Betty running towand him, @ rifle. At this evidence of meditated in- terference in his affairs a new rage afflicted Calumet. He motioned vio- lently for her to keep away, and when he saw Dade run out of the house after her, also with a rifle in hand, he motioned again. But it was evident that they took his motions to mean that they were not to ap) him in that direction, for they chan their course and swung around to- Plain, unvarnisl -the-weol, ¥ original man. nTheree a wore ag ee ea him, if I could thi looked at. ner ingultingty: bs. imitive Me pars e, I think you meas,” she rou Q tot of folka pride folke what they call culture, {t wasn't in them when Into the world, that it them after a A eer, bad ing wi vari- ous emotions that struggiod for ox- pression. The: ignoring Dade, who Stood near him, plainly pussied over tl enigma, he walked over to the of the wood where Taggart rifle lay, picked it up and made his ‘way to the ranchhouse, CHAPTER VIII. More Progress. STRANGE thing was hap- A pening to Calumet. His cess of remaking. Slowly and surely Betty's good in- fluence was making itself felt, This Ms In spite of his knowledge of her secret meeting with Neal Taggart. i. That was what he was determined to do. There was no plan in hi mind; he was merely going to keep his eyes open, and when opportunity came he was going to take advantage of it. ‘The darkness Geopened as he drove. When he reached the crest of the slope from which that morning he had looked down upon Lazette, the wagon entered @ stretch of broken country through which the horses made slow progress. After traversing this section he encountered a flat, dull plain of nd smooth, which the hors pprecia' for they travelled rapidly, straining willingly in the harness. It was about 9 o'clock when the moon rose, a pale yellow disk above the hills that rimmed the valley Me fine thing to have hangin’ man. But if @ man ain't etill measures ni a) character was in the pro- jonin’ mining the repntrin, Betty. adic i But don't be down- the Lazy Y, and Calumet welc ® " u ; 4 it with a lighting @ cigarette plumb simple. earted; that ain't nothin’ to what I ward the rocks at his rear, There was no mistaking Calumet's nd leaning back comfortably in the Piyrom where he kneeled began an- Can do when I get my hand in, I Furious at their obstinacy, or lack fedling toward Bob. He pitied the Dade ane “To-morrow, ¥ seat, with the reins held between his other slope that descended to the aint had no practice. of perception, Calumet watched their youngster, He allowed him to ride 5 eaid. knees. Lazy Y valley. It dipped gently down He had an immense advantage over apgrones with glowering glances. BI ‘He presently thought of his weap- into the wood in front of the house, Taggart. The latter was compelled When they came near enough for him lackleg. He braided him @ half-sized CHAPTER I them out and reloading where he had hitched his horse on to remain concealed behind his rock, to make himself heard he yelled lariat. He carried him long distances x. ons, draw! them. They recalled the incident of the Red Dog, and for a long time his thoughts dwelt on it, straight, grim lines in his face. He wonde! what Betty would say when she hi Would it affect her future His thoughts w; 1 of Betty when while Calumet had the freedom of the gully. He did not anticipate that Taggart would again attempt to re- treat in the same way, nor aid he think that he would risk charging him, for he would not be certain at what point in the gully he would be Ukely to find his enemy and thus a savagely at them, “Get out of here, you damned fool!" he said; “do you want to get hurt?” They continued to come on in spite of this warning, but when they reached the foot of the little slope that led to the ridge at the edge of the night of his home-coming, and between the trees he could see a light flickering. That light came from the kitchen window of the ranchhouse; Betty had left it burning for him, ex- pecting him to return shortly after dusk, The house was not more than a mile distant and he wondered at on his back and waited upon him at the table, Bob became his champion; the boy worshipped him, Betty was not unaware of all this, and yet she continued to hold her. self aloof from Calumet. She did not covering: the wagon careened out of the level the hardihood of hie enemy in plan. game ous probably result MHeas- which was Calumet’s gully, they ‘reat him indifferently, she merely in the Lazy Y's Wis and began to crawl up @ slope that ping to ambusl im so close to his im. halted, looking up at Calumet inquir- kent him at @ distance. Several times had been a great y a throu some hills. The ti fi . He reflected, though, that it Taggart was apparently satisfied of le rough ike ame, trail ome. ie igh, that hae ktakelinnae ta Gulden for ba ingly, The ridge towered above their when he spoke to her about Neal for, and a roomy corral is @ icone was not likely that the shote could be heard from the house, for the spot on which the wagon stood was several heads, and so they were in no dan- wer, but Betty halted only for a mo- ment and then continued to approach Taggart she left him without answer- Ing, and eo he knew that she resented stayed discreetly behind his rock. lence always arranged Twice during the next hour his rifle Sor Wy a Se pertenced cattleman. But ft a little gully about a mile and a half hundred feet above the level of the cracked when he caught a glimpse until she stood on the ridge, ¢: Moe oa ane ae ene buncyed Tinen (here was the inters of Calamet's heat, apd each time he Lo marearten care, But eh ehttons, On the menaien Sacaea ta icntes, antily for mere them damm ed the horses at the bottom of the vening wood, which would dull what- knew he had missed, for Calumet’s Taggart would not fire at her. * which he had Glacevered her talking W!ne its completion. . Mowing them to drink from ever sound might float in that direo- laugh followed the reports. | Fhat’e wrong?” she demanded of in the office. During that time there hed jow stream that tric ‘on tion. nce, after a long intervai of silence, “what wi way to meet the river which Who could his assailant be? Why, thinking that Calumet was at the RO YOu onesting fi Zee Sharty, Cares sake after Abe lithe Se 0, nes Oe ae sed through the wood near the it was Taggart, of course. Taggart other end of the gully, he moved the Friend of yours,” be sald that the deti ‘of the story reached Passed several days tii eo chhouse. had left town hours before him, he small rock which he had pushed he- juely. Betty's ears, and Calumet was as ine St#dle and the bunk houge; at ah tet, the animals had crunk, thle rene coward, and shooting from am- yond the edge of the large one, using yho?* different to her expressions of horror Calumet's suggestion, was 6 Urged them on again, for he bush was a coward's game. hin rifle barrel as a prod, A’ bullet “real Taggart. We've beei —though Weary of the ride and anxious to Calumet's blood leaped a Mittle from Cahimot's piatol atruck the rock, nicin’ all night” plo» STPRI 2t Wee # Sorror Bck Melixed. i the homsane tet 68 comme it over with. It was a long pull, faster in his veins, He would settle glanced from it and seared the back Her face flooded with color, but whkw he wondered—as he was to e! for the new dog—whic® grown still retainin, large and the aamniradlon A New EVENING WORLD “SUCCESS MOVIE" ——~ Illustrated by WILL B, JOHNSTONE ——~ 15—At Law School wt we we ry By Hazen Conklin on Blackleg, But on the Mon ing the of noted a: Lo ye 2 seemed unusually eager he was les’ 20 later came out, Calumet was the corral fance near the she stepped down from the and he gave a gasp of and then stood perfectly ing at her, (To Be Continued.) GOING AWAY FOR ratification he learns that this time Now Tom faces three years of Hiard work at he has passed, and even stern Mr. Jones unbends long | law school, But, because of his interest in his paservtole he si atende to We dullest Mt ee ek cena ei eee yy Tom frankly and his ation to “make met ,