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Show ;s3g3csooooc3oc3t3so30oocooooooooooooocooacooeoocco NAMELESS RIVER Oiwrllhl br th. McCall Company By VINGIE E. ROE Stitt $773,' . . Utslng, TOOOOOCOSOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOeOOOOOeCOCOCCOOOOOOOeOOOCOOCOOOOOOCX.ClCOSC'XOOOCDOOOOOCCOOCO CHAPTER XVIII . . -i- sThe Fighting Line at Last. Brand Fair haunted the Selwood ranch. He hung to the aide of the nn conscloua man almost night and day. MWhat do you think, doctor?" be asked anxiously of the medical man brought In from Dement "Frankly, I don't think," said that worthy, these lapses, superinduced by concussion, are treacherous things. Be may recover suddenly, or be may die without regaining consciousness. It's a gamble" But anxious as he was to know the secret locked In the unconscious brain of Price Selwood, Fair bad not been ' .Idle. Be and Bosslck had been very busy. Many tilings had been done, a plan arranged, secret conclaves held at which grim and determined men sat their horses and pledged themselves to do a certain thing. Then Fair went to the cabin on Nameless, for the longing In his heart to see Nance Allison grew with every passing hour. Be held her In his arms and kissed her forehead and her smooth cheeks, touched the shining coronet of her hair with reverent hands. Sweetheart," he whispered, after fashion of lovers, there the age-olwas never a woman like yon 1 You are my light In dark places, my rain In the desert Oh, Nance, wbat if I bad never found you!" And the girl leaned on his heart In an ecstasy of love that was shot with sadness, holding fast to her trust with desperate hands. It's bound to come soon now," be told her, we are organized and ready only waiting for Selwood, poor fellow, to regain his reason that he may tell us where to strike." "Therell be gun play and blood," said Nance miserably, and I pray God that you will not be taken. I I couldn't lose you, Brand, and live. I wouldn't dare to live for If they kill you Oh, that black hatred which has stirred In me so long. Is getting beyond my strength to hold it! Ill go mad and turn killer. Brand If they kill you ! I know It I feel It here" she and laid eloquent bands on her heart then my soul will go into the pit of damnation." d Buck up,' fully, well colors flying and see this nest of vipers caged. Then think of life on Nami less, Nance safe and happy, with our fields and our herds and peace In all the land. I shouldn't have suggested anything else. Come be my brave girl again, my good fighter. Obedient' to his words, Nance straightened and tried to smile In the starlight, That's it," he said, "youre resilient as willow wood ready with a comeback. Youll never leave the line, sweetheart, never In this world 1 It was late In the night when Fair rode away. Be went south, going back to look again on the quiet face of Sheriff then on to the Deep Beart fringes to meet Bosslck and Jermyn. As for Nance Allison, she was seized with a great restlessness that made Inaction unbearable. I think Ill ride the lower slopes of Mystery, Mammy." she said next morn Ing, and look for that black shoat thats missing. I can't afford to lose It." The mother looked at her with worried eyes. You take your pappy's gun," she said at last I feel to tell you so. Th time has me." But the girl shook her bead. I don't care," she said, I cant trust myself of late." She kissed Sonny, ran a band over Buds bronze hair, and went out to the stable where she saddled Buckskin and rode away. In every likely place she looked and listened for the black shoat, but it seemed to have disappeared from the fare of the earth, like the six fat tteers. She followed a small ravine for longer than she had Intended, sat tor a while In a sunny opeulng high along the breasf of Mystery, and sidled back toward the west again. And here It was that two men far above looked down and saw her with ejaculations of delight. Well, If this ain't luck! said Pro-- ' vine grinning, then I'm a liar I thought this morning when Arnold handed us that last bunch of instructions that he was due for once to come out th' little end of th' horn. I dldn' see how any human was goln to be able to carry them out. I didn't think we'd ever get near enough to get her and do It on th' q. L But shes brought herself to ual" "If ahe's armed," said Caldwell shortly, "Its not time yet to crow. I think shed light." Fight, h II" said the other, "she dont believe In flghtln'. Shes religious. We ll pick her up too easy an' present her to th' boas with our com plimenta.' An hour later Nance, riding along a dim trail made by the traveling boofa ef deer, came out above a spring In a Sel-woo- . pretty glade. She was warm and thirsty, so she dismounted and pushing back her bat from her sweated forehead, knelt on the springs Up and putting her face to the limpid water, drank long and eagerly a toot from Buckskin's muzzle. As she straightened up, wiping her mouth with the back of her band, she caught a sound where had been alienee before the sound of something moving, the rattle of accoutrements, and turning quickly, still upon her knees, she looked up Into the grinning face of Sud Provine, the frowning one of the Sky Line foreman. "By Jlngl" said Provlne wondering-ly-, never havin' seen you outside that there o! bonnet of yours I didn't know how purty you was! Them eyes now they're right blue, aint they? An that wide mouth all wet where you stopped wipin' You d n fool!" said Caldwell disgustedly, "shut up and mind the business entrusted to you. Miss Allison," he said to Nance, "you're Just the person we wanted to see. We were sent this morning to fetch you to Sky Line, so you may as well go along sensibly, for well take you anyway." Nance rose to her feet "Then youll have to take. me," she said curtly, for I'll not ride a step with anyone from Sky Line. She swung Into her saddle and struck her heels to Buckskins sides In a forlorn hope of escape little Buckskin, stock, slow and faithful. Provlne laughed again and dashed forward with a leap of hts gray Silver-ti- p that put him alongside In a second. "Aint no use, purty, be said and caught her rein. Be turned the little horse up the slope, Caldwell fell In close behind and above her narrowed eyes, one band on her hip. If you've got anything to say to "say It" me," she said coldly, Kate Cathrew leaped to her feet, but the man put out a band and touched her. As If a spring had been released she sank down, obeying that calm touch like an automaton. said Arnold, Miss ah Allison, there Is no need - for dramatics. We Neither will they avail you. wanted to see you to talk business with you. So we sent for you." So I see," sold Nance, "or rather you kidnaped me." Not so decided, please. We dont like such words. They are ah crude, I might say. Not half so crude as you will find the methods of Nameless when this gets out, I guess," said Nance. Heaven knows 1 don't amount to much, but I am likely to be a torch for a fire that's smoldering." "We have extinguishers," smiled Arnold. Sky Line Is a pretty fire department, If I do say It The thing for you to do Just now Is think. Ill -give you ten minutes." I dont need them," said Nance. Ive thought for several years about my fathers death my brothers crippled body my missing cattle my burned stacks and many other things. I'm thinking now about Sheriff Selwood and Bos8lcks latest loss." The mans face hardened, yet a reluctant admiration drew a slight smile across It You take liberties. Miss Allison. Are you not speaking In Jest a little ah afraid to speak so broadly?" . Nance laughed bitterly, shifting her feet In their worn boots. "Afraid? No not of you nor of your hired rustlers nor Cattle Kate, there, with her paint and her tern' pers. Im not afraid of anything but the wrath of God." At that Arnold laughed outright "You have something yet to learn, see. Very well, since you do not care to think I will outline briefly your situation. You know, of course, that you are at present In the power of Sky Line ranch.- Reasoning backward you will come to the conclusion that there Is a primal cause for thin Reasoning forward you will know that there Is something which you can do for Sky Line, which It wants of you." "Of course," said Nance, "the whole country knows that my flats on the river." Arnold frowned. Be did not like that answer. "And how, may I ask, does the country know this?" "It knows what has happened to me for several years now and It judges the faces of your riders and their boss." If you please, well leave Miss Listened and Looked out of this," said Arnold Cathrew Black BhoaL crisply. Yes?" asked Nance. "Shes been In a matter of two minutes Nance Allison was a prisoner headed for Sky the backbone of my troubles under you, no doubt and It Isn't likely I'll Line ranch. The pink flush was gone entirely leave her out If you have anything from her face, leaving It pale as wax. to say to me I'd sdvlse you to say It and get It over before Nameless comes Her lips were faintly ashen. me." hunting Help me. Lord she whispered In All Nameless may come bunting not be far God, Oh, my audibly, you. Miss Allison," returned the man, from me I" hut It will not find you. Now put There was no fear In her, only wits In order. Sky Line wants your seemed deep and surging anger that flats on the river and. means those to make her lungs labor for sufficient them. We don't do things by to have were set air. Her usually smiling lips What we undertake we finImlves. together In a tbln line. time has come for decisive The ish. So, In silence, save for Provlne's ocaction. You have had many ah casional Jesting observations, they hints to vacate and have foolishly disclimbed the breast of the great ridge regarded them. That Is like a womwell-worn and presently struck Into the an. A man would have gone long trail which led direct to Sky ago." Line. Not any man." Interrupted Nance, At the broad steps to the right iny pappy didn't" Nance was ordered to dismount. No?" said Arnold cruelly. Is he Provlne took Buckskin and Caldwell here?" motioned her to ascend the steps. With Quick tears misled the girls eyes, her head op and her mouth tight shut hut the slowly throbbing anger burned Nance Allison strode forward Into the them out stronghold of her enemies. Yes." she sahl promptly, and a! The door was open, and she saw firs ways will be at the foot of our only a pale darkness within as she mounialn and In Bud and me. lie stopped on the threshold. has not yet been conquered" Then, pushed forward by the foreArnold dropped his dead cigarette man with a none too gentle hand, her Into a tall brass receptacle, rose and eyes slowly became accustomed to the stepped Into the other room. He shadowy Interior and. In spite of her- picked something from the desk there self, they widened with amazement at and came hack. the splendor she beheld. We come to eases," he said sharply. 1 A man was sitting on a broad couch, have here a prnperly-nmdeooi- t a cigarette In his fingers. He was deed, conveying to Mias Cathrew for stranger to Nance, a stranger to the the cnnelderatlon of one dollar, the of land herein decountry, but abe catalogued him swift quarter-sectioYork Nsmelesa river, man of whom New from scribed. as along the lying ly alt Nameless bad heard. Be was slim owned by the widow of John Allison, and fair skinned, and the gray eyes, deceased, who took np said land unset rather close together across the der the hnmeatead act; This paper nose, were the needs only the name of John Allison's arch of the In a human. widow and two witnesses to make It a seen ever had she sharpest A fox she had once seen caught In a legal transfer of property. I am a notary. We can supply the witnesses trap had had Just such eyes. the highly Important and necessary They werd cold and appraising, with out a spark of kindness. signature of John Allison's widow you In one of the gorgeous chairs Kate will obligingly furnish at a price." Nance swept off her hat and struck Cathrew, dressed like a princess, sat It down against her knes. A laugh bolt upright face. At sight of Nance In her faded gar- broke stiffly on her tallow-whit- e If I could swear," she auld, "Id ments, straight and defiant In her controlled anger, her handsome face tell you where to go, and whnt I thought you were. You may consider flushed beneath Its artistry. "Ah 1" she said, like a vixen, "get-- out yourself tofd as It Is." Arnold beesma coldly grave. of that door. Step over to the "You refuser the obscure a you light" bit, right "What do you think 1 do? i'ut your The big girl did not move. She stood with her hat pulled down wits la order I" It" ' - 1 high-bridge- d , More Power! More Pull! More Pep! The man turned and struck s bell which etood on s rosewood pedestal. Minnie Pine responded with suspicious promptness. " Send me Provlne and Big said Arnold briefly, and tbs girl departed. The man did not speak again, nor J did Nance. There came a shuffle and rattle of spur and tbs two Sky Line riders stood In the doorway of the room beyond, having corns through tbs kitchen. v "Miss Allison," said Arnold, "I own the men of Sky Line, how or why is unimportant Wbat I tell them to do, they do. Am I not right men?" Provlue nodded easily. Big Baaford spoke sullenly. "Yes, sir," be said. "All right Now, my girt consider. There Is on Sky Line s secret place" "I've always thought so, said Nance decidedly. Be quiet A place which the whole of Nameless is not likely to find, so mysteriously Is Its entrance hidden. One could live thers for a lifetime undiscovered or be taken out as If Bat-ford,- - on Low-co- st d Transportation Star (Cars Pbicsii . . I. ...i Bet, Luigi ........ ....... .... COMMERCIAL CHASSIS ROADSTER TOURING COUPSTER COUPE COACH SEDAN i.,... .,.. (TO DB CONTINUED.) 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Permanent roads are a good investment not an extents -- -- 142) DURANT MOTORS, Inc. wings" Bosswlck's Like disappearing steers 1" Arnold was exasperated, but held bla temper. 'Exactly," he said, If you will. Now consider again. You are s pretty fine specimen of s woman quits likely to appeal to men especially to men long denied feminine companionship like Bastard there." Nance flung a glance at Bastard. Bis sullen, lowering face set In Its thicket of beard with the ryee above was enough to chill the heart of any woman. The great apelike body added Its own threat Her own Intrepid spirit felt s shock of horror, but that deep anger In her left little room for fear. She seemed to bear again Brand Youll never Fair's exultant words: leave thd line, Nance, never In this world I" With a dogged courage heaving through the anger the looked back at Arnold. "Well?" ahe said. woman "Big Bastard hasn't had of bis own for many moons, I know. Now will yon sign this deed or will yon go with Bastard to Rainbow's pot his blushing bride?" Nance's breast was heaving. Great breaths dilated her lunga end whistled out again. Ber bands were shut tight, the fingers on her bat brim crimping the weathered felt She tbonght of her mammy of Bud of their long labor and the hardships they had borne. She thought of the cabin on Nameless of Its white scrubbed floors Its botnely comforts and all It meant to them and to her. It waa ber pappys dream of empire It bad been hers. Sha thought of Brand Fair and of Sonny. Of Brand and Bud who would, sure start tbs fire to burning In all the lonely reaches at news of ber disappearance and I'm as good as most men," she said, "to take care of myself, I wouldnt sign that paper to save you and all your rustler nest from eternal damna' tion I And thats my last word. Arnold snapped his fingers. ' "Enough," he said, well see what a night In Rainbows pot will do for you. Bastard ray compliments. I give you the beautiful lady. Properly she'll make you a fine wife.' But Big Bastard shook his unkempt bead. ' Shes s yellow woman," he said I dont want her. contemptuously, and his hungry eyes went helplessly toward the dark splendor of Kate Cathrew In her velvet chair. Proving surged forward, s sudden excitement In his snaky orbs. "I do." he cried, try me!" Arnold laughed. Good! I like an eager lover. Yon may guard Miss AllUnn I aside, and Bastard shall take the place I had Intended for you outside the Flange. Well talk business some more tomorrow. We bid yon adieu. Miss Allison, I bope by morning you wlU be more amenable to reason. Without a backward glance Nance turned and strode sway between bet guards. Resistance was useless, sha well knew. The band of God," she said calmly, la ever before my face. Neither you nor yours can do me harm for ths Lord shall preserve me from ill evil, lie shall preserve my soul. 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