OCR Text |
Show Trank H.Spearman. Andre Bowles illustrations by coPYerctr BY CMS 6CBBYBR5 5 OPS aas the river Its a sort of con- now, he answered as he offered her humor. That is a ridiculous accident, the bag. What do you think? That; ing all the teams you can at that end Mcand it all came about when I lived in man who is now president of this road of the work? tinuous performance, you know. his box with a smile. Cloud looked at Dicksie. gang of wreckTake off Are you taking your hat off for me Chicago. Do you know anything about haa somewhere seen a highly-coloreMurray Sinclair and his Every man that can be spared the railroad ers were called out to clear t in the rain? Put it on again! she in- the infernal climate there? Well, in story about me in a magazine, a from the river shall go at It. Come tracks at Smoky Creek. McCloud, a your coat, wont you, please? young road superintendent, caught Whispering Smith was trying to sisted with a Jittle tone of command, Chicago I used to lose my voice whenmagazine, you know. He had over here and look at our work and and lus men in the act of looting drag a chest from the foot of the cot, and she was conscious of gratification ever I caught a cold sometimes for spotted me the first time I walked into judge for jourseif. Ihe wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded What when he obeyed amiably.'-So they began call- his office, and told me a long time weeks declaring It only amounted to a and Marion stood watching. They rode to where the forces assmall sum a treat for the men. McCloud are you trying to do? wont take your box unless you ing me Whispering Smith, and Ive afterward it was just like seeing a sembled by Lance were throwing up discharged the whole outfit and odered Get this over to the table for a can find another! she said. Oh, you never been able to shake the name. man walk out of a book, and that he embankments and riprapping. the wreckage burned. MeCloud lrecame There Dunning, a girl seat acquainted with Dicksie have another! I came out to tell you Odd, isnt It? But I came out to go had hard work to keep from falling on was hurried running to and fro, a vioat the of the west, who came to look Wreck. She gave him a message for Sin-- t "Silly man! why dont you move the what a dreadful man I thought you inia the real estate business. I was my neck. He knew what he wanted lent dragging about of willows, and a lair. "Whispering Gordon Smith told farm me for; it was just this thing. I left good deal of shouting. lookiri;or some were, and to apologize. President Bucks of the railroad of Mc- table? I e could Dicksie was taking off her coat raise dont Chicago to get away from it, and this lands Cloud's brave fight against a gang of Dunning, with some excitement, quartz, Never mind apologizing. Lots of uj razed miners and that was the reason Is the result. It is not all that kind of watched McClouds face to note the and such things yes. How inviting it all is! she smiled. think worse than that of me you Iriy for the superintendents appointment to people nf Si telling you this, though I thing, oh, no! When And this is where you stay?" ns high office. McCloud arranged to they want to effect of the activity on him, but Mcand dont apologize. Im sorry I have dont board at the boarding house of Mrs. Sln- uldnlleH to cross a When I it McCloud. reservation a winter in Clouds expression, naturally reserved, answered have it everybody rains, no Shelter wife. deserted to offer you, except to sit tlair, the Washington with our attorneys and reflected nothing of his views on the Dunning was the daughter of thea "Let me have your hat, too. on assented not, side this Certainly Dicksie, and rain. the take late Richard Dunning, who hid died of dine with old friends in the White subject. Dunning waved his hand at My hair is a sight, I know. We broken heart shortly after his wifes Why should you take the rain for dialing her skirt around to sit in House, and the next winter I may be the lively scene. demise, which occurred aftei one year of rode over rocks and up gullies into the me? Theyve been at it confidence. closer married life. Sinclair visited Marion Sin- brush on snowshoes chasing a band of all night. How many would you take You are a woman. I wanted to get rich quick, murclairs shop and a fight between him and And through lakes oh, I know! I rustlers. I swore long ago I would do away, sir? McCloud was narrowly averted. Smoky "But a stranger to you. mured Whispering Smith, confi- no more of it that Creek bridge was myste'iously burned. cant conceive how you ever got here You might take them all away, as I couldn't and McCloud prepared to face the situation. Only in a way. dentially. said But It Is Bucks. 1 cant go far as the river is concerned, wouldnt. President Bucks notified Smith that he at all. Your hair is all right. This is Dicksie the moment a at for Almost criminal, wasnt it? McCloud worked for camp, anyway. had work ahead. I McCloud, after a moment. If you want a fire. "You gazed But back on him. and He is amiable and finally got th division running wont think me abrupt, will days "I wanted to have evening clothes. am soft. He says he is going to have What? Hell! All? In fairly good order. He overheard Dickglass you can have one. Knisely is a sie criticising his methods, to Marion great swell; hes just from school, and you? she said, turning to him, but, - Yes. a crown and harp for me some day, They are not doing anything, are as truly as I live, I cannot account for Sinclair. A stock train was wrecked by And for once in my life two pairs but I fancy that is, I have an intima- they, but running around in a circle? an open switch. Later a passenger train has no end of things. Ill rob his bag. you, Mr. Smith. I guess at the ranch was held up and the express car robbed. Dont disturb Mr. Kniselys bag for we dont know what a modest ambition, but tion that there will be a red hot pro- And those fellows over there might as on in the of suspenders Two men of a posse pursuing the bandits goes Would you believe it? test at the bar of heaven, he lowered well be making mud pies as riprapone. a were killed. McCloud was notified that the world! gnawing conI see world. of you Everything But you are not taking off your hat. Whispering Smith was toa hunt the desoffice he had hired his tone, from a certain unmentionBucks I Before left ping at that point. What we need tradicts everything I have heard of lineman, peradoes Bill Dancing, and toad me for a railroad man. When he asked able quarter when I undertake to put there is a mattress and sandbags his gang be You seem to have something on your you. proposed that Sinclair sent to hunt the bandits. A stranger, ap- mind. You havent seen much of me yet, me what I could do, and I admitted a the vestments on. By the way, I and plenty of them. Bill, directed told him to go parently with authority, Help me to get it off my mind, will you know, and you may have heard little experience in handling real es- hear you are interested in chickens. McCloud in an evpn tone of business ahead. Dancing was told the stranger Smith ap- you, please? was "Whispering Smith much better accounts of me than I tate, 'fh brought his fist down on the Oh, yes, Ive heard a lot about you! as he turned to Dancing, see how He tried to buy him Sinclair proachedfailed. If you will let me. Bob Johnson, over at Orovllle, has He warned McCloud that off, but deserve. Still, it Isnt surprising you table nd swore I should be his his life was in danger. McCloud was carTell me how to thank you for your cant account some pretty bantams I want to tell man. for me; in fact, it would ried forcibly Into Lance Dunnings presI came all the way over be about. the How you about ence. mining? if Dunning refused the railroad a generosity. could. you Nobody surprising to ask you for just the he had already signed for. here he talked railroad or chickWhether to You do must not be Smith waved his hand that pretends interfered to prevent a shooting Dicksie met McCloud on a lonely help you have offered, and I could not shocked if I cant even account for in something of the proud manner in ens, it was all one; Dicksie sat spellaffray.to warn it stuck in my throat. But that him his life was in danger. trail myself. Do you know what a derelict whlci-- Bucks could wave his presi- bound; and when he announced It On his wav home a shot passed through wasnt what was on Tell mind. my that Smith is? A ship that has been abandoned dential hand. hat Whispering reported My business, Bucks was half past three o'clock and time Sang, one of Sinclairs gang, had been me what you thought when I acted so but never wholly sinks. interfere need not with that, not to rouse Marlon she was amazed. said, Smith and assigned to kill McCloud. He Dawn showed in the east. The men saw Du Sang Whispering Smith taunt- dreadfully at Marions. Please dont make fun of me! How in the Jeast; he said that I could do I didnt deserve anything better did ed Du Sang and told him to get out of I wanted to, and I eating breakfast in tents were to be the all to come into the mining you happen seemed Du or suffer Bend Medicine Sang fool sent on a work-traito succumb to the bluff. McClouds big after placing myself in such a up a piece of construction job was taken from lnm be- position. Why dont you ask me what that led as near as they could cause of an injunction issued to Lance I thought the day you acted so beaube taken to where they were needed. Dunning by the United States court. A I eudden rise of the Crawling Stone rivern tifully at Crawling Stone ranch? The train had pulled out when Dickcreated consternation Dicksie and I ever thought that the finest thing sie, Marion, McCloud and Whispering appealed to McCloud for help. Whissaw. Smith took horses to get across to pering Smith joins the group. You were not to blame at Marithe hills and through to the CHAPTER XVIII. Continued. ons. I seemed to be, which is just as moment a for Marion put her hand had. I am going to start the phones on his coat sleeve; he looked at Dick- going. Its up to me to make good, CHAPTER XX. sie with another laugh and spoke to you know, in about four hours with a toward not look her because he dared lot ,of men and material. Arent you At the River. , do you Marion. Going hack going to take off your hat? and your found the ranchhouse as MarlThey You are? never say? gloves are soaking wet. on and Dicksie had left It, deserted. Dicksie answered quite in earnest; A voice called the superintendents Puss told them every one was at the Dicksie Ordered Horses Saddled and "Oh, but wt are. We must! McMr. name through the tent door. McCloud did not approve Dick-sie- s river. Rode to the River. then? did Its come, you Why Cloud? of going down to see her plan and taken half the night to get here, Bill? What is it, cousin first, Why not let me ride quick you can get your gangs over will take a night and a half at least to s on Twenty-eigh- t and it without bringing here with what sacks they can carry and down manage back , get the gauge, sir. he suggested. "It and walk fast. If you will put your all? at into it you We came to ask Mr. McCloud for McCloud looked at his companions. Arid can be after further dis- men on horses, Mr. Dunning, they can done. some grain sacks you know, they I told Thank you so. Up three-tenthwas so it help like everything. 'That bank cussion arranged. at the with work to have nothing in a minute. be with wont last a great while the way the Ill you, you Bill; been had Smith McCloud and ranch, said Marlon; and he said we Tell Cherry to come and take away DanIs getting under it now. piver on and horseback, joined by Dancing might have some and we are to send the supper things, will you? That is wheeled like an elephant on his cing around made their Squaw way they for them in the morning. about all the water we shall get tolake and across the fields. The fog bronco and clattered away through the I see. But we may as well talk I think, all we want, its night, was rolling up from the willows at mud. Lance Dunning, recovering from Smith looked at Dicksie. added plainly. back for his watch. at McCloud, glancing the bend. Men were chopping in the his surprise, started his men dismount"You are ns brave and as game as a Im and to take a look at the river. the McCloud, wagons, going comhis McCloud and and brush, girl can be, I know, or you couldn't We shall be quiet now around here unwalked with him to the water's panion soon met Lance Dunning rid- ing, to have done this. Sacks full of Sand, til half-pas- t and if Marion, three, edge you, plan the fight for what was sand narrow of that the up strip ing with the boys at the ranch to handle and Miss Dunning will take the tent, of the left strip in front of the alfalfa off river held ranch. the the them, would do no more good fields. can have two hours rest before you McCloud regardThe Dunning, bladders. greeted than bend at the Bill Dancing will guard When Whispering Smith got hack we start. less of his amazement, as if he had to the house river is flowing into Squaw lake above you against intrusion, and if jou want he was in good humor. there now. A hundred men that know ice water ring twice. parted from him the day before. How He joined Dicksie and Marlon in tl e are you making it over here? he the game might check things yet if room, where they were drinkWe are in pretty good shape dining asked. XIX. there CHAPTER Nobody daylight. by theyie coffee. Afterward Dicksie ordered ing at the moment down below, and I horses saddled and the three rode to else, and nothjng else on Gods earth we if I see to over ride would A Talk with Whispering can. Smith. thought the river. Up and down the bank as could do anything for you. This is There was silence before the fire, When Whispering Smith had folfar as they could see in the misty what you call pretty fair water for I can put the 100 lowed McCloud from the tent, Dicksie McCloud broke it: rain, men were moving slowly about it? of the this part valley, isnt men there at daylight, Gordon, if Miss turned to Marlon and caught her hand. more men, it seemed to Dicksie, Lance swallowed his astonishment. Is this the terrible man I have heard Dunning and her cousin want them,1 she had ever seen together in than This isnt water, McCloud; this is And I said McClould. about? she murmured. life. The confusion and the noise her off He his and hell took hat wiped had Oh, thought him ferocious! Marion sprang to her feet. But is he as disappeared. No one appeared to bis foiehead "Well, I call this white, will you do that, Mr. McCloud? pitiless as they say, Marion? but every one had something If they McCloud looked at Dicksie. anyway, and no mistake I do, indeed, hurry, Marion laughed a troubled little to do, and, from the gangs who with sir! This is Whispering Smith, isnt ere wanted. laugh of surprise and sadness. Dear, were sinking "dead men it? Glad to see you at Crawling sledges the trees to Dicksie tried to look at the fire. We he isnt pitiless at all. He has unhold the cables of among Which served not only Stone, sir. have hardly deserved help from Mr. pleasant things to do, and does them. was about to be mattress that the to surprise but to please Whispering McCloud at the ranch, she said at He is the man on whom the railroad and the Japs who weie diligentsunk, Smith. last. relies to repress the lawlessness that "Alone in the Rain? to float and load It, to "Some of my men were free, con- ly preparing J He put out his hand. I must object. breaks out in the mountains at times men that were filling and wheelthe I to. some I wanted switched tinued McCloud; The first wreck I ever had on this di- and interferes with the operating of mountains? I do want to understand liave Rone all the mining the sandbags, no one appeared exJ .ut here is the singular thing that mattresses and sacks around the Y, ing . vision Miss .Dunning rode 20 miles to the road. It frightens people away, things better. McCloud the visitors for cited. aliened: I opened up my office and thinking they micht come In play here a few moments, joined offer help. Isnt that true? Why, I end prevents others from coming in Why, you are in reql earnest and then went back would walk 100 miles to return the to settle. Railroads want law and aren't you? But I am not making fun nad kothing to do; they didn't seem to for you at the bend. They are at your to where Dancing and his men on lifeoffer to her. Perhaps your cousin order. Robbery and murders dont of you. Do you know President Bucks? want any right of way just then. I service if you think you need them. were guiding the mattress to its Lance swore fiercely lines Need them! would object, he suggested, turning make business for railroads. They de- No? Too bad! He's a very handsome kept getting my check every month, place. In spite of the gloom resting to Dicksie; but no, I think we can pend on settlers for developing a old bachelor. And he is one of those and wasnt doing a hand's turn but rid- and from the bottom of his heart. He of the rain, which Whispering Smith manage that. Now what are we going country, dont you know; otherwise men who get all sorts of men to do ing over the country and shooting was glad to get help from any quar- said was breaking, Dicksie rode back But, Loid, I love this ter and made no bones about it. Moreto do? You two cant go back to- they would have no traffic, not to all sorts of things for them. You to the house in much better spirits Did railroads and and men certain. Is know, you know I used to be over, McCloud lessened the embarrass- with her two of their trains building country! that operating wanting speak night, guests; and when they a had of no a he in ment that this the couni is the perin mountains years ago? by explaining ry let alone. When Mr. Bucks underjoke. part "We must. cowboy came from luncheon the sun, as Smith took to open up this country to set- The mountains are filled with men Indeed I did. I know it almost as well sonal interest in holding the channel had predicted, was shining. Then you will have to go in boats, tald Whispering Smith. tlers, he needed a man of patience that dont care for God, man, or the as you do. I mined more or less in where It ran, lest a change above cried Dicksie, at Oh, come out! and endurance and with courage and devil. Sometimes they furnish their the meantime. Occasionally I would might threaten the approaches already the door. Marion had a letter to write But the hill road? "There Is five feet of water across it skill in dealing with lawless men, and own ammunition to fight with and go to Bucks jou say you dont know built to the bridge; and Whisperin and went upstairs, but Whispering In half a dozen places. I swam my no man has ever succeeded so well as don t bother the railroad for years; at h:m? too bad' and tell him, candid- Smith, who would have been on terms Smith followed Dicksie. Does everyIf earn he had catfish to the been with I a my flung thing this terrible man you have heard such times the railroad leaves them ly wasnt doing horse through, so I ought to know. come true? she deyou say thing of course, Miss about. He is terrible, my dear, to law- alone. For my part, I never quarrel sai.uyf'At such times hewould only into the middle of the Crawling Stone, manded as she stood in the sunshine. It Is all back-wateNot less men, not to any one else. He is with a man that doesnt quarrel with ask me how I liked the job, and contributed at once, like a Dunning, explained McCloud. She was demure with terrible in resource and in daring, but the road. Then comes a time when VUiisperirig Smith's ' havy eyebrows spring, to the ease of the situation. and he looked at her approvingdangerous. off his took recollechat Lance again and But moist, suggested Whispering not in anything else I know of, and I they get after us, shooting our men or rose in mild surprise at the I hope nothing I may say ever ly. One day when I was talking wiped the sweat of anxiety from his will come knew him when he was a boy and robbing our agents or stopping our tion. true unless It makes you Smith, especially In the dark. differforehead. Whatever me a banded he him with telegram dripping Then wore a pink worsted scarf when he tiains. Of course we have to get McCloud looked at Marion. he answered, lightly. It would happy, have with I may busy then. A few years ago they wor- from the deseit saying that a night ences qf opinionI a shame if it did anything else. lets be sensible, he said. You and went skating have no lack of be She had been your company, I should like to have seen that ried Bucks till'they nearly turned his opeiator at a lonely station Miss Dunning can have my tent. pointed two accusing fingers at for esteem a Bwiteh and a McCloud, you, and personally, misplaced Do you know what you promasked scarf, said Dicksie, reflectively. She hair gruj. At that unfortunate time shot him. Is this where you stay? men How did heaven! many rose and looked around the tent. In I happened into his office with a letter train nearly wrecked. He asked me sir, by last ised Dicksie. night? You have forgotten I discovered you bring? I thought of it. You said you would tell me "Four of us sleep In 'the cots, when a few minutes she made Marion lie of introduction from his closest Chi- what already! wheels whatever "And fellow you Crawling had shot himself, we can, and an Indefinite number He down on one of the cots. Then she cago friend, Willis Howard, prince of that the poor my leghorns are eating their why In your walked to the front of the tent, opened good men, the man that made the and in the end we had to put him in Stone ranchers may have on thd ground when It rains. off. feathers Palmer house famous yes. Now I the Insane asylum to save him from heads on the subject of irrigation, rethe flap, and looked out. "Which is your bed? (TO BE CONTINUED ) I have no come out here. Miss Dunning I the penitentiary but that was where turned McCloud, evenly, had bewas Smith He there. sitting "I usually sleep Whispering pointed lack of esteem personally, Mr. Dunfore the fire. Rain was falling, but almost said Miss Dicksie, because I my trouble began. to the one on the right. Easy Money. t ended in my black hear it so much having to organize ning, for you. I brought 100. I thought so. It has the blanket Dicksie put on her close-fittinaround town makes his A high-flye- r to want here? take the "Do on road whole door-flaservice charge set to the I you hear be should special up and walked the raised greatly as there if cdat, folded back so neatly, just too easily for his own good. money understand this ook to a one wonI and after And Im you thousand frank, behave me sir; Dicksie. call you were sheets under it. Ill bet there noiselessly from the tent and up His rich wife gave him $60,000 when Alone in the rain? she dered a thousand times about your thir srs that nobody else had well, let game and I dont. hind him. arent any. we look the situation over; she married him and raised it to $300,-00- 0 us to aftor look time inclination do I call ay ask Dare name. "Suppose why reasked. they summer "Do you thii,k this is a to divorce him. Now he doesnt You dont er: Fraud and theft and violence and meantime, all our supplies have to be She had expected to see him start you Whispering Smith? sort? Knlsely, my assistant, sleeps to work or marry any more have Y. across from What the all that sort of disagreeable thing. brought there, but of course we are never both at her voice, but he did not, though whisper. - j Th( a one day the cat crawled out of should you thick, Mr. Dunning, of put- - New York Press. with abundance of He "Not goodrose and turned around. laughed in bed at the same time; hes down he SYNOPSIS. t. d ten-cen- Fin-rla- ir gold-bearin- g right-ot-wr- y, Wiring tight-of-wa- - n Ma-yio- nine-tenth- . jack-rabbit- r, g |