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Show THE M l I.KTIV wmsmm. 0 CIIAPTEU XlX-Conti- 0. APPIETON nucd. 11 - Away westward, twenty miles perhaps, there came a momentary rift in the overcast sky. and a peak of the Barricade Mountains, thrust up like a blunt thumb, threw back on opalescent glow. Sunrise. Walt Candy set his watch. He rode uu after that into a thickening gloom, until the mist came down about him and turned to fine drizzle. He stopped and shrugged into his black slicker. Steam rose from the palomino. The little beast shifted uneasily and tried to wheel back. "Cut it out!" said Candy. "I dun t like this either!" They moved on, angling into the southwest. There was no turning back from this trail, he knew that; but this minute he would like to turn back. His life had never seemed so much worth holding onto; because that moment, there in his arms Helen Cameron had answered his kiss. He pushed on. And then an abrupt converging of many cowtrails told him that a water-hol- e was not far off. They came in funwise from across the btnch top, merging together until they wore one deep rut, and following, he struck unexpectedly down the course of a ravine. Within twenty minutes after that he was swinging off at the cabin of Outpost Camp. It had only the one small building, of weathered boards and an iron roof, set where the ravine emptied into the sink. The water-hol- e with a single tall mountain cedar, out of place here, was behind the cabin. A steer hide from an animal butchered in the last round-u- p hung stiff and dry from the tree's lowest branch. Hollister had been here. The large sharp prints of his black showed Then inside the at the water-holcabin Gandy at once sniffed cigarette smoke. The coffee pot, a quarter full of grounds, was cold. But the cast iron stove was faintly warm. Hollister had left not more than an hour ago. Again in the saddle Gandy put spurs to the palomino, relieved for a little while by a feeling that Hollister might not be too far ahead. There was a chance of catching up before Bill encountered any of the -- CENTURY CO C WIRE By H. the other west cuts. He was headed for the 77 drive and through the first minute after his sudden appearance it wus plain that he did not know there was another on the prairie top. Gandy clapped spurs to the palomino, loosening the thirty-eigin its belt holster as he quartered toward the Heeing man. This party was getting away from something: no doubt about that. His head turned, and then in a jerk upon shortened reins, he set his horse back with all hoofs sliding. In the same move his right hand had crossed over to the left of his saddle; smoothly a rifle ran from the scabbard there and whipped up to his shoulder. Things happened then. Distance was too far fur the thirty-eigh- t. Wheeling his own mount Walt Gandy made a vain try with two rapid shots. He saw dust kick up in front of the other's horse. Wind snatched a white wisp from the rifle barrel leveled toward him and a hornet zinged close to his ear. Again he saw the white wisp and his palomino jumped straight up. He heard that second report, a third and the e. Yet cattle prowling the sink bottom had left their maze of tracks, of a across which the pock-mark-s single horse could no be followed. Herds of the uncomfortable animals were crowded close against the sink cliff, trying to find shelter from a needled wind. The drizzle had ceased. Back at the cabin Gandy had peeled out of his slicker and tied it again behind his seat From this distance he saw a choice of three ways up. Along the sheer rock face three deep notches showed within a mile of one another. The first seemed to bear too far southward. Either the second or third appeared more in his course due west There was no way to tell Into which one Hollister had gone, and staring hard as he approached the silent cuts, Walt Gandy felt for the first time a cold dread. Then, nearer, he saw something that jerked him to instant wariness. A low rock wall had been built across the first ravine mouth to prevent CC cattle from drifting west out of the sink. That wall now lay scattered. It was the same in the second cut By the time he had charged on to the third, the sign was plain; 77 men had thrown these bar- riers down to let their cattle through. The drive of two thousand head was coming even now some of the 77 guards might be watching the rims above him. Still, Kelso and Stoddard had not expected fight from the C C. Gandy wheeled suddenly up the third cut He shoved arouna the next bends at a faster pace, all at once wanting to be out of this. No wind reached him down here, and no sound save the rapid pad of his palomino's hoofs. He felt the oppression of being caged in, and riding blind. Then when he least expected it the cut struck sharply upward; there was a short scramble on loose rock, a funncling away of the walls, and he rose abruptly upon the open prairie. An immediate sweeping glance took in a circle of flat empty land. He was alone. But then far westward where this top began a long lift a dark smudge showed against gray earth. The 77 drive. Seven miles off. Gandy judged, though maybe more. They'd not reach the watch. Three o'clock; dark in another two hours. Hollister? He rocked up onto his feet hands on the saddle horn and stood searching that sector of prairie west and southwest He reined his pony south, seeking door inward. Outpost Camp was the usual range shack, an overnight stopping-plac- e for a man riding circle, or the center of a more lively scene for a week Induring fall or spring round-up- . side was a rough table, half a dozen boxes for chairs, four double-tie- r It was no bunks and a stove. more barren nor isolated than most yet entering with the wounded man, Walt Gandy felt that a place had never been so desolate. He laid Hollister on the straw tick of a lower bunk near the stove, pushed back the stove lids and crammed brush stems in onto ash that was stil! warm. There was no wood here in the bottoms. The brush flared. Methodically he went out to the spring for water, brought in a full bucket poured some in a basin to heat, some in the coffee pot, went out for more fuel and all the time he was telling himself that a tough fellow like that one in there couldn't die, knowing that he could. Hollister lay face down, saying nothing during the minutes Walt worked over him, cleaning sand from the shattered right arm, then putting on a tight bandage to stop the blood. The back wound was only a small neat hole; but what the bullet had done Internally was beyond Candy's help, saie for the ease of coffee and soothiif warmth from the red-hstove. In time someone would come. He could only d, lent earth rose and slammed him from the saddle. Breath went out of him and he fought a black fog that thickened before his eyes. It could have lasted only a few seconds. He came out of it crouched behind the body of his horse, gun trained across the bulging side. The other man was streaking away once more in a headlong run. Walt Gandy stood up and was not aware until then that he was shot in the left leg. It felt as if a red-hrod was suddenly stabbed into his flesh near the knee. His knee was stiff; his blue jeans already beginning to stain. But again that went momentarily out of his mind as he stared down at the unmoving palomino. The little beast was dead. The fact registered now only In a numbing way; too much impended for him to feel the full sense of his loss. Rapidly he stripped off the saddle, blanket, and bridle, shouldered them and turned toward the ravine out of which the unknown rider had appeared. On the rim he looked back. He would never want to own another pale gold horse. Now it was a matter of getting back to Outpost Camp with no time lost and searching the ravine on the way. The rider might have left him for dead. Still it would be no good if others came ahead and found him on 77 ground afoot The cut slanted in a sharp descent at first, then leveled out in a winding sand bottom much like the one d up which he had ridden. boots were, never made for rapid walking. He limped on, shifting the saddle from shoulder to shoulder. He was perhaps halfway to the sink when two brass shells glittered against the sand. Gandy scooped them up, put them to his nose. Next he had let the saddle gear fall and was stumbling ahead, for the shells still had in them the rancid smoke of freshly burned powder. Within fifty paces the sand showed that Hollister's horse had come to a sudden stop, had wheeled, plunged sidewise. All the marks of ambush were here in a tangle of tracks and then a spot where a man had fallen, bleeding. Gandy ran on, reading signs where the horse had come to a halt and where Hollister had remounted. Bill was not Relief swept him. dead. But farther on he was following a trail of blood stains dropped evenly every two paces. ot High-heele- CHAPTER XX the heads of those other two rathem of one into for vines, surely Hollister had started. There was BILL HOLLISTER had clung to bis until within twenty feet no other way west Again as he rode on, bowed into a cold wind, of the cabin at Outpost Camp Stumthere settled upon him a dull con- bling up, Gandy saw where he had stant dread, the sense of an inevita- pitched to the ground, then dragged ble ending here which Hollister him- himself on a short distance. He was lying now on his back, left arm self had predicted. He had covered less than a quar- folded under his head, inert but ter of a mile when a rider seemed conscious. His eyes opened at the to lenp from the very earth. His thud of boots and in them a knowhorse was in a tight run, the man ing smile kindled. He started to bent forward, and he' had shot out speak. "Save It" Hid Gandy. "Think like that Gandy knew, from one of i lr-- ht Finished with his first-aihe brought the coffee pot, two tin cups and sat down on a box beside the bunk. Hollister was over on his back now, his head propped upon a folded coat and that quiet, knowing smile had never left his eyes. He managed the cup with his left hand. They sat there drinking, siThere was chance of catching np before Bill encountered any of the 77. $f$XiMfimi-y---- you're a swell prophet, don't you!" crunched and someone rapped on He bent over. "How are you, Bill? the door. aimed Where are you hit?" Gandy waited, thirty-eigNot until he had moved the man at hip level. a little to lift him. did he see the The sharp rap came again, and a right arm almost shot away, and a voice, saying, "Bill! Bill Hollister?" widening spot of blood from another He jerked the door inward, sheathwound somewhere in Hollister's ing the gun. "Helen! Helen, where back. His own injury was nothing are you?" compared to this; a continued stiff"Here," she answered out of the ening of the left knee, but the stain dark, invisible at only a little more on his blue jeans was drying. He than arm's length. Then she gasped picked Bill Hollister up bodily, car- "Walt! Has something happened? ried him to the cabin and booted the What are you doing?" wait . 77. WNU SERVICE T -- Not much talk had ever been needed between these two. For a time now they did not talk at alL Hollister opened his mouth and took a cigarette held out for him. Then he lay silently smoking. But there was something he wanted to talk about and seemed waiting until enough strength was stored. His eyes sobered to their deep-se- t studying look. Walt Gandy saw, and felt instinctively that he did not want to listen. He did not want a confession, if that was what Hollister had on his mind. What did It matter? Twice he shook his head to stave off talk, until with effort the lank man burst out: "Turn around here! I've got things to tell you. And I haven't got much time." 'They'll keep." said Gandy. "You're going to pull out of this all right The ranch knows where we are and someone will come trailing us if we don't show up. You keep quiet" But he drew his eyes from n face. If they were the coming, they'd better hurry I "No," Hollister managed doggedly. "I want you to understand something." Gandy's head lifted and he looked across the flickering light to where Hollister lay in shadow. "Maybe I do already, Bill. Never mind." "What do you mean by that?" "Let it go. Bill." "Well, I don't think you do," Hollister said. "It's Helen I want to He stepped back. "Are short curtains a no old chairs p-- Ruth Wyeth Spears b came window htli Curtains from cekjns to floor1 chairs covered, ii is you Paul is out there with the horses." Gandy had groped for the candle WAS with a thrill of pride that in its beer bottle holder, found it and IT A mother looked over a Betsy's struck a match. "Come in, Helen. list of the nicest girls in Betsy's Bill is over there, on the bunk." class. She had said, "yes," when The girl darted past him, and he Betsy wanted to give a luncheon did not turn to look. He heard the for them. Now what would she do light thud as she flung herself down about the shabby old dining room beside the wounded man, and a with its veneered oak chairs, single fluttering cry of her voice. faded curtains and bare Her words came softly after that, short, walls? flowing on in tones as soothing as a answer and it cost is the Here caress. He closed the door behind exactly six dollars. An inexpen him and stood outside in the dark. green and yellow flowered Time ceased; a long blank age sive chintz was used for draperies in which a girl's words turned from from ceiling to floor. The trick of caressing to pleading, followed by silence. At last the door opened, and Helen groped out with the candlelight flickering at her back. buff-color- "Walt?" "I'm here." He caught h?r stretched hands. Her voice broke. "I knew it! I something like this had hapand started early in the afterOh, why didn't I come soonit ton late? Walt, if he dies. I don't know what I'll do!" said "He's tough," Gandy. "You've got to go right back. Helen. I'd go but the 77 has gunmen loose out here. Phone for a doctor. Tell Horsethief Fisher to bring on Bailey and his bunch We can't move Hollister now." Her face was close to him and he saw that she was crying. Her hands gripped his. hard. "Hurry." he told her. "Ride like the devil!" He hvard her at the spring talking to Paul Champion. There burst a rattle of running hoofs as they plunged off across the sink, and he went back Inside to Bill Hollister. At once it seemed as if the girl's being here, and what had passed knew pened noon. er! Is MRS. RUTH WYETII SPEARS Drawer ed It New Yark Bedford HIUs Enclose 10 cents fur Book S. Name Address : KEEP MY SMOKING ON I r out- making the windows higher is explained in the diagram. The aid window shades were painted a soft, clear green. The backs and seats of the chairs were with the chintz with green bindings, and a set of green and yellow china was brought out to lend color to the walls and add a note of interest on green painted stands in front of the windows. The stands were made of empty spools as described in the new Sewing Book 5. This book also gives directions for a buckram stiffened valance of the type shown here. All of its 32 pager are packed with ideas to make your home attractive without breaking the bank. You can have your copy for 10 cents to cover cost and mailing. Send order te; slip-cover- ed alone?" "No. SE K SIDE WITH CAMELS. THEY GIVE ME EXTRA MILDNESS AND EXTRA COOLNESS THE SLOW-BURNI- NG PATRICIA ENGLISH, noted Ilea traiaer ARB, Patrick EIGHT YOU Camels are more than mUd. They give yon the natural mildness of costlier to psoras plus the txtra miUmta of a slower way of burning which mesas freedom from the Irritating qualities of excess beat. And along with extra mildness, extra coolness, and extra flavor. Camels also give yoa extra smoiung sn wowy. than tin average of that IS ether of the large tetftag brands tested -s- lower than any of them. That awaas, ea the average, a smoking pitta eqaal ta 5 EXTRA SMOKES PER PACK! FOR EXTRA MILDNESS, EXTRA COOLNESS, EXTRA FLAVO- R- CAMELS SLOW-RURNIN- COSTUER TORACCOS Q pain-ridde- talk about" Gjcc&uuei bound "So yon lied at the inqnest to shield Cash Cameron!" illlC WAall"? V between them was all the man had wanted. The fight against pain was gradually distorting his face, yet deep under that look his expression was unbelievably peaceful He looked up: "God never made another one like her, Walt I've thought that every minute for two years, and still do. Now you sit down here and listen. Don't you butt in." "Walt? Have you fallen in love with that girl?" The question came so pointedly that Walt Gandy stared. Then he countered: "What difference does that make one way or the other?" Gandy hitched his box in close. "All the difference, in what I say to you," Hollister answered, and the "Bill," he said, "there's not a darn grave tone of his voice showed this thing you need to tell me." "Plenty I've got to tell you!" Hol-listdeeply important to him. "Have answered. "You think I killed you?" Walt Gandy admitted only, ."I've Drake and Ranger PowelL I know. But I didn't Walt" never met anyone like her." "Then for . . . I" "Good." said Hollister. "That's I knew that day before "Wait his lean face was enough." Though in half dark, he seemed to be smil- the Drake inquest that my rifle had ing to himself, pleased with some- vanished from the rack. Understand? Before the inquest It wasn't thing, and Gandy wondered. Hollister waited to regain breath. taken by one of Battle's deputies Unexpectedly he asked: "You must while we were in town. I've known have an Idea by this time, haven't that aU along." Walt Gandy jerked forward, hands you, who killed Chino Drake?" Walt Gandy's gaze slid to the on his knees. "Then you mean floor. He said nothing. What did Cash?" Hollister nodded, "C ily two days it matter now? Hollister persisted. "And Ranger earlier Cameron lost his temper Powell, too. But maybe you haven't 'over the forest argument and threatened Poy;eH. I heard it Then the figured the reason "Bill! Shut up!" only thing I could see afterwards Gandy was up onto his feet Out- was that he had carried out his side, Hollister's horse had nickered. threat, and Chino Drake was unHe puffed out the candle and cov- lucky enough to be a witness." "So you lied at the Inquest to ered the open stove hole. to the window his first thought shiuld Cash Cameron!" was that no one from the C C could JNo. The day Drake and Powell It was some were killed I was some place that a be here so soon of the 77. grl like Helen would never underBeyond the window pane was only stand. But you you know times we solid blackness of night He shifted Had on the border. Mexican fiesta, along to the door, put his left hand aances . . . There's a place here on the knob and held it Jailed Mexican Hole. That's where For perhaps five minutes after 1 was, trying to forget I could never the first tentative call from Hollis- fiake Helen Cameron marry me. I ouldn't tell that in front of her." ter's horse there was no other sound. Then in the same instant boot soles (TO BF. C0XT1M ED) THEN you must see OAKLAND! To complete your enjoyment stop at Oakland's favorite er S. - V WW ! II - In SALT LAKE CITY the MHOTEL Ml ..." isaiP" mm sssan m it ii Choice oftheDiscrtminatingTrartUr 400 Cat-walki- ... trim ROOMS 400 BATHS Rates: $2.00 to $4.00 Our $200,000.00 remodeling and refurnishing program has made available the finest hotel accommodations in the West AT OUR SAME POPULAR PRICES. CAFETERIA DINING ROOM MIL J. H. BUFFET WATERS, rVesWenf Managers J.HOIMAN WATUSandW. ROSS SUTTON DINE Thm DANCE eawfirW MIRROR ROOM EVERY SATURDAY EVENING |