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Show CHAPTER Continued. XXVII 12 The night was bright with stars. Because her Bright as day, isn't it?" not used had she and olce was curt, Inflection helped the rising his name, over a a little! Hateful, to stumble rut in the road ! Of course, he'd make her take his arm I Of course ! Rickard grasped her elbow. She walked along, her head filgh, her cheeks flaming, anger surging through her at his touch. Stupid to press this companionship, this awkward silence on her. If he thought she was going to entertain him, as Gerty did, with her swift chatter, hed be surprised ! Any other two people would fall Into easy but what could she, Innes Hardin, find to chatter about with this man stalking along, grimly grasping her arm? Close as they were, his touch reminding her every minute, between them walked her brother and her brothers wife and there was the Mexican hateful memory I Of course she could not be casual. And she would not force It. He had brought this about. Let him talk, then ! Oppressive that silence. Then It came to her that she would ask him the question that his coming had aborted. A glance at his face found him smiling. He found It amusing! Not for .worlds, then, would she speak. And they stalked along. Unconsciously she bad pulled herself away from him. He took her hand and put it in the crotch of his arm. "Thats better," he said. She wondered if he were still smiling. Their path led by his tent Neither of them noticed a subdued light through the canvas walls. As they reached the place a figure darted from the door. Oh, senflf, I thought you would never come. It was the wife of Maldonado. Her expression was lost on Innes. The face was quivering with -- VC give-and-tak- e, I I $ terror, Innes words like Rickard, Icicles, I will leave you here. It Is quite unnecessary to come farther. Quite unveiled her meaning It came so quickly that he was not ready; nor Indeed had Gertys innuendoes yet reached him. But the situation was uncomfortable. He turned sharply to the Mexican. Come In," he took her roughly by the arm. She would wake up the camp with her crying. He put her in a chair. Now tell your story." The woman had got to be a nuisance. He couldnt have her coming around like this. He had seen that look In the girl's eyes Who' did you say was Murdered! murdered! She lifted a face, frightened Into "Maldonado and the haggardness. Mr. 1 I I I i i ) f, I girl" The night was stripped to the tragYou found them! Her face was lifted Imploringly to him. Oh, senor. It was not L By the Mother of Christ, It was not L" Rickard was not sure. Her fear made him suspect her. Who was it, edy. yon think! "Felipe," she gasped. He got away from the rurales he came back. He went home there was no one there. Some one told him where she had gone. He came to Maldonados. the eldest, opened the gate. He was terrible, she said. He rushed past her. And when he came out his hands were red. The children heard cries. They were afraid to go In. I got there last night. I went in. They were not quite cold I was afraid to stay. It would look like me, senor. Will they take me, senor!" She was a wreck of terror. ot what you tell me is true, Now, get to bed. Ill give you some- thing that will make you sleep." He lustled her out and prepared the Lu-creri- ; i I lrnght f I - I I I a, . wondered as he got Into bed as to the truth of her story. Disgusting, nch animal terror 1 Awkward hole, that Fate seemed possessed to queer him with those Hardins I CHAPTER XXVI1L i A Discovery. The murder of Maldonado shook the camp next morning. Three rurales. In brilliant trappings, rode up to Rick- ards ramada. The leader, entering the office, announced that they were the track of a criminal, the mur- 4 I , ! derer of a rurale, Maldonado. He was an Indian named Felipe. He repeated the story Rickard had heard before. Would the senor give his respected Permission for notices to be posted about the camp! A description of the Indi a reward for his capture; the favop would he inestimable. Rickard saw" the notice later"' hat day. It was nailed to the back plat--I form of the Palmyra. He was oo Mar- shall trail, his chief having failed io ccp sn appointment with him. They were to test the gatethat afternoon ; Marshall was returning soon to Tuo-on- . . I I I 1 - Rickard turned back toward camp, dcp ia thought ; so Intent that a sharp cry had lost its echo before the Import came to him. He stopped, hearing run- wing steps behind him. Innes Hardin was loping up the bank like a young eer with terror In her eyes. ... Mr. Rickard!" she cried. Mr Rickard ! She was trembling. Her fright had flushed her; cheek to brow was glowing with startled blood. He saw an odd flash of startling beauty, the veil of tan torn oil by her emotion. The wave of her terror caught him. He put out his hand to steady her. She stood recovering herself, regaining her .lent breath. Rickard remembered that this was the first time he had seen her since the murder of Maldonado, since the meeting with the Mexican woman at his tent. What was It frightened you?" The Indian, the murderer. Just as they describe him on those notices. I must have fallen asleep. Id been reading. I heard a noise in the brush and there was his face staring at me." Iler breath was still uneven- - I screamed and ran. Silly to be so scared. He started toward the willows, but she grabbed his sleeve. Oh, dont. She flushed, thinking to meet the quizzical smile, but his eyes were grave. He, too, had had his fright. They stood staring at each other. Im afraid " she completed. How he would despise her cowardice ! But she could not let him know that her fear bad been for him! He was looking at her. Suppose anything bad happened to her! He bad a minute of nausea. If that brute had hurt her and then he knew how it was with him! He looked at her gravely. Of course. He had known It a long time. It was true. She was going to belong to him. If that brute had hurt her! She shrank under his gravity; this was something she did not understand. They were silent, walking toward the encampment Rickard did not care to talk. It was not the time; and he had been badly shaken.. Innes was tremulously conscious of the palpitating silence. She fluttered toward giddy speech. Her walk that day, Mr. Rickard! She had heard that water had started to flow down the old river bed ; she had wanted to see It, and there was ho one to go with her. Her sentence broke off. The look he had turned on her was so dominant, so tenr giddiness, and der. Amused at her! Loving her I They yet loving were silent again. You wont go off alone, again." He had not asked It, at parting. His inflection demanding It of her, was of ownership. She did not meet his eyes. - Later, when she was lying on her bed, face downward, routed, she tried to analyze that possessive challenge of his gaze, but it eluded words. She summoned her pride, but the meaning called her, sense and mind and soul L Casey of her. It cried to her: Rickard, whom your brother hates, once the lover of Gerty Holmes, I am the mate for you. And Fm going to come and take you some day. Some day, when I have time!" Oh, yes, she was angry with him; she had some pride. VVhy didnt he tell me then? she cried In a warm tuFor I would have mult to her pillow. given him his answer. I had time. mur set that straight. That much he " He in with the plaintive eves. on her expressions as though 5'ie w , re a hurp. 1 liter, he waS presented to Mrs, allowed himself. Until hts work was done. But she knew she hud seen how It w as w 1th him I wonder if you would help me. Miss Ilurdin? Would ou do something for that poor cran'd woman? I wanted to ask Mrs. Hardin, but for some reason Ive got Into her black bHks. Jut the little kindness one woman can give another. A man finds it difficult. And these Mcxicnn wom! en dont understand a ieil H 'nl She told him that the camp won no longer be dull; that she had t a every afternoon in her ramada She eonvieted him archly of British hood She knew he must 'have his n. 1 ti a !" "lou American women are the mans friend- ship. won-tier- s of the world! Nothing daunts you. lu ttie desert, and you give afternoon tins. I be there every day! lie pave her open admiration; she looked oung and wistful In her soft flowing mulls, the moonlight helping her. she fell into a delicious flurry of nerves and excitement. Later, she wandered with him from a rude gaping world into a heaven of silvered decks and gleaming waters, lie told her of hmisi if, of his loneliness; hts music laid dropped him to self-pitGerty Hardin heard her bars drop behind her. She suatched her first glimpse of freedom. 11 Her eyes met his squarely, llis tanmak- talizing smile had gone. He was ing a demaud of her to believe him, his request his defense. The glances, of yellow ejes and gray, met with a hock, and the world was changed for both. Life, with its many glad voices, was calling to senses and spirit, the girls still rebellious, the mans sure. GoodRickard put out his hand. sound To the carried It both. night of I love you ! She put her hand In his, then tore her fingers away, furious with them for clinging. Where was her pride? When he had time I She fled into her tent Neither of them had seen Gerty nardin watching them from her tent door. 1 CHAPTER XXIX. A Glimpse of Freedom. The siding was deserted. The Palmyra had run out to Tuscon. Marshall had gone without apprehension. They did not expect now to have setbacks, to have to extend the time set for the ultimate diversion. The days were flowing like oil. The encampment was filling up with visitors, newspaper men who came to report the spectacular capture of the river. Rickards day badly begun, piled up with vexations. By sundown, he was wet to the skin, and mad as a sick Arizona cat. In this Jaundiced Juncture, Jr., brought down his dispatches to the river. lie read of the burning of a trainload of railroad ties. Rickard swore. Anything else pleasant? A letter from the governor from dad. MacLean read that his father begged a small favor of Rickard. Godfrey, the celebrated English tenor, Is on my hands. His doctors have been advising outdoor occupation. I am sending him to you, asking you to give him any Job you may have. He is willing to do anything. Put him at something to keep him occupied. MacLean saw Rickard's face turn red. Suffering cats! A worn-oopera singer! What sort of an opera does he think were giving down here? Why doesnt he send me a fur coat or a pair of girl twins? Give the tenor a role! Anything else? Tile it all on. Oh, and one from Godfrey himself. Hes In Los Angeles. He says hell be here tomorrow." He did not wait for his chiefs reply. At the supper table, Rickard, dry and In restored humor, alluded to the Invasion of high notes, Pity the parts The only vacancy are all assigned is In the kitchen. -- 1 wonder how he would like to be understudy to Ling!" The next day when the Incident had been forgotten, and while Rickard was up at the Crossing on the concrete gate, Godfrey blew Into canlp. He was like a boy out on a lark, nis brown eyes were dancing over the adventure. He explored the camp and came back bubbling. It 8 the biggest I ever saw. But say, Junior, thats what they call you, isnt It? I'm the only idle man here. Cant you give me something to dol HI do anything. I'd like the boss to find me busy when be comes In." MacLean softened the offer. Perhaps until Mr. Godfrey leuVned the ropes he could be of general use. They were d the present moment there was another hesitation In the kitchen t Ling, the Chinese cook, was overcrowded so many visitors Great." crowed Godfrey, slapping I dont want to him on the shoulder. feel In the way. I want to earn my board. f Lead me to the cook P That evening, the dinner was helped of on Us way by the England. In an- - apron, borrowed of Ling, he Was having the time of his life." Ling, pretending to 'scold, had Godfrey Blew Into Camp. been won Immediately. Rickard, hearample time, to tell him that It was ing of the Jolly advent, forgot his vexnot true." For she wanted a different ation, and immediately on his return dis- made his way to the mesquit inclosure sort of lover, not a second-han-d herto all who one belonged to greet the friend of George card ; but self ; one who would woo, not take her with that strange sure look of his. After dinner, MacLean carried off YouIl be waiting when I cotne," Ah, his prize to the Delta, where Godfrey she would not. Indeed ! She would earned his welcome. Gerty Hardin forshow him I got to flirt with the engineers; she V And then she lay quite still with her had discovered a new sensation. The hand over her .heart. She would be wonderfdl voice twisted her heartwaiting when he came for her! Be- strings ; it told her that the heart that cause, though life had brought them has truly loved never forgets, and she together so roughly, so tactlessly had knew that she could never have really muddled things. yet she knew. . She loved, yet,, because the youth in her veins was whispering to her that she would be waiting for him! Before he had left her, Rickard bad could still forget. Godfrey saw a mofollowed a swift impulse. Those bronze bile plaintive face turned up to the lamps averted still? Was she remem- gibbous moon ; be swept It with thrills bering last night? No mistake like and flushes. She was a wonderful authat shoud rest betwee them. He dience; she was also his orchestra, the Mac-Lea- Je ut 1 short-hande- best-paldsing- er Mac-Lea- -- I n. CHAPTER XXX. The Dragon Scores. The Palmyra was once again on Its siding. Marshall was at the front aguin ; having made another of his swift dashes from Tucson. This time he expected officially to close the gate. Ulaudla was with him. She never left the car, unless It were to step out to the platform to see what she could from there of the river work. Hardin and Rickard hnd been devotA heavy rainfall ing anxious weeks. and cloudburst in the mountains of northern Arizona had swollen the feeders of the Gila river which roared down to the Colorado above Yuma. The eroding streams carried mountains in solution which settled against the gate, a seour starting above and below It Relief had to be given on the Jump. A spur track was rushed across the by pass above the gate, as the closing ttf the gate with the tlasbboards was no longer possible. A rock-fil- l wns the only means of closure. In the distant quarries men were digging out rock to fill the call from the river. Marshall came down to see the completed spur. Before he reuched the Intake, the first rock train bad moved Onto the spnr track. The trestle had settled, the train had been thrown from the rails and wrecked. Marshall came In from the damaged trestle, bringing Rickard and Crothers. Mrs. Marshall had Invited Innea Hardin to dine with them. Innes fell to flushing, and chilling, as a figure came directly to her. Uls eyes where was the look she had feared, of possessive tenderness? The quizzical gleam was gone. On guard A solemn business, loving, when you know It means life On guard, though, to herl She pulled her fingers from bis strong, lingering clasp, and Joined Mrs. MarshalL Rickard had his soldier look on. She was watching him covertly as he talked with his host and Crothers, as though she were hot there ; as though something were not waiting for him to claim. now could he ba talking oblivious of everything else In th world except the river? Was that loving? Could she think of anything else when he was in the same room with her? He was a soldier of the modern army. It came to her, a sort of tender divination, that he wonld not divide hts thoughts, even with her, with love, uhr tfl his battle was won. Well, couldnt she understand that ? What her accusation against Gerty? Sex honor keep off the track I Wasnt that her own notion? Oughtnt she to be proud of him? She had brought a nest of waspish thoughts tumbling about her ears. Gerty ! He ha d loved Gerty. He couldn't love her, if bis thoughts had ever lingered, with that same seriously solemn look on the false little face lithe-muscl-ed 1 tht 1 of her sister-in-la' After dinner they were standing In the shade of the Palmyra. It was a soft still afternoon. The fierceness of the savage desert had melted to her daya of lure. Beyond, the turbid waters of the Colorado bore a smiling surface. There was nothing to hint of treachery. It waa a minute of pleasant lassitude. snatched from the turmoil Rickard had succumbed to the softness of the day and hla mood. He was enjoying the thought of Innes nearness, though she kept her face turned from him. He knew by the persistence of those averted eyes that she waa as acutely conscious of his presence ls he was, zestfully, of hers. ,. Deliberately, tie was prolonging the Instant A stir on the river had caught the alert eye of Tod MarshalL He swore a string of picturesque Marshallian oaths. Rickard's eyes Jumped toward The placid waters bad the buckled. suddenly Majestically the gate rose and went out Months of work swept away! The gate drifted a hundred feet or more. Some unseen obstruction caught It there, to mock at the labors of man. Innes, aghast turned toward Rickard. His face was expressionless. Thar waa a UU4 of axel ted reicta by-pas- behind them, Bodcfeldt, Maclean, Tony. tYothors. Bangs, all talking at once. Her eyes demanded something of Rickard. A fierce resentment rose lie knew It, against his calmness, lie's been expecting she rebelled, this to happen. Its no tragedy to him!" There was a stab as of physical pain; she was visualizing the blow to Tom. She beard Marshalls voice, speakWell, youre ready ing to Itlcknrd. She did not hear the anfor this. swer, for already Rickard was heading Marshall and the for the young engineers followed him. To Innes that wreck down yonder was worse than failure; It was ruin. It Involved Toms life. It was his life. This would be the final crushing of his super!) courage her thoughts released from their paralysis were whipped by sudden fear. She must find him, be with him. The next Instant she was speeding toward the encampment Estrada met her on the run. Had Gerty heard? The pity that she must know She would not be tender to Tom ; her pride would be by-pas- s. 1 Sent some all fitvil, independent now. kindergarten orders to tiie Indians. Sajs thy lime to be in fied lv ten oclock, or some such hour on Satur- day und Sunday nights. It's Orike, r. their Thats what his monkeyan-we- ing has brought down on us." "Theyic not going to quit? Thcjxe m nt word they wont work on Mundujs. and they will go to bed when they huo-- e Saturday nights.' We cant loosing one day a week! stand for that. Lucks been playing Into hts hands, but this will show him Tlii.sll show Marshall his pet ap. clerk. Tell Casey there'll he no Indians tomorrow. lie sputtered angrily out of the office. n Rickard seemed pleased when made the announcement a few hours later. Ills secretary- was weighing him. What do you Inti nd to do about It? Call their I luff." grinned Casey, showing teeth tobacco had not had a chance to "Boycott them." Mucl.enn found Wooster at the river-bati- k with Tom Hardin. The two men were wii tilling a set a rebellious pile. Two new trestles were to supplement ihe one which had been bent out of line by the weight of settling drift. Marshalls plan was being followed, though Jeered at by reclamation meu und the engineers of the D. It. company. Stop the mattress weaving and had been his orders. dump like hell the Indians, well Im Boycott blowed," the beady eyes sparkled at Now hes cut his own Hardin. c Mac-Lea- - pile-driv- ! throat." swore nardin. By the eternal MacLean left the two engineers matching oaths. There was an ominous quiet the next day. Not an Indian offered to work at the river. A few stolid bucks came to their tasks on Tuesday morning; they were told by Rickard himself that there was no work ior uiem. Rickard appeared ignorant of the antagonism of the engineer. An unfathered rumor started that Rickard was In with the Reclamation Service men ; that he wanted the work to fall; to be adopted by the Service. MacLean broke a lance or two against the absurd slander. He was making the discovery that a- man's friendship for a man may bg deeper than a man's love for a woman, no was a Rickard man. He was made to feel the re! - Rickard Was Heading for the By-Pas- a, wounded. She must ask her to be tender, generous. Her footsteps slackened as she came In sight of the tents. She heard voices In the ramada, a mana clear notea mingling with Ger-ty- e childish treble. Godfrey I" Her mind Jumped to other Of course I So tbat was what waa going on. And aha not seeing! If not one man, then another 1 Horrid little clantete-a-tete- a. destine affairs The meeting waa awkward. Speedily Innea got rid of the news. Mrs. Hardin shrugged. I believe Ill go out" Plaintively, che made the announcement as though it were Just evolved. Now, the camp will be horrid. Everybody will bo cross and everybody will bo working." As she left the tent beyond, Innea could bear the vibrant voice of Godfrey persuading Mrs. Hardin to stay there a few weeks longer. She could hear him say, This will delay the turning of the river at the most but a few weeks. IUckard fold me ao a week ago. And think' what it would he here without you!" They were all expecting It I" resisted Innes Hardin. She turned back toward the river. She must find Tom. 1 CHAPTER XXXI. proach of It Wednesday not an Coronel passed from his advice unpopular. to watch the work on ed It was crippled. would be sending for Indian reported. camp to camp, Scouts sent out the river reportThe white man the Indian soon. The waiting braves sat on their haunches, grinning and smoking their pipes. Saturday night the camp went gloomily to bed. On the Indian aide there was no revel, no feasting or dancing. Rickard did not turn In until after midnight, planning alternatives. Ho was sleeping hard when MacLean, at dawn, dashed Into his tent Quick, what does this mean?" It was a splendid spectacle, and staged superbly. For background, the sharp-edgemountains flushing to a pinks and purples old chanof the the ; sky nel uniting them, blotting out miles of desert Into s flat scene. On the opfive posite bank of the New hundred strong, lined up formidably, their faces grotesque and ferocious with paint, were the seven tribes. The suns rays glinted up from their Hirer arms, shotguns, revolvers. Into a motCocopahs, with ley of defiance I streaming hair, blanketed Navajos, Plmas, those in front reining in their silent pinto ponies, and all motionless; silent in that early morning light. What does It mean P whispered MacLean. Rickard did not answer. He had one nauseous Instant as be looked toward Innes tent. Then he broke into laughter. See, the white horse, no,' In front " d one-hue- d river-growt- h r-- er, A Sunday 8pectacla. Trouble with the tribes was well grown.before It waa recognized. Disaffection waa ripe, the bucks were heady," the white mans silver acting like wine. Few of the braves had dreamed of ever possessing sums of money such as they drew down each Sunday morning. Rickard began to suspect liquor again. In the Indian camp Sunday was a day of feasting, By Jove, MacLean slapped his followed by a gorged sleep; the next thigh. Coronel They had me bufday one of languor, of growing In co- faloed. What do you think it Is?" hesion. Rickard sterped out into the wash Rickard spoke of It to Coronet of morning air and waved a solem like small baby," hunched the old salute across the river. Gravely it shoulders. Happy baby. Pretty soon was returned by CoroneL stop." What does It mean?" demanded With the next wages went a repri- MacLean. , j mand, then a warning. Still followed It means weve won," chuckled hlf bad Monday. Rickard then Issued a chief, coming back Into his tent. formal warning to all the tribes. An hour later Coronel led in a picked The situation with the Indians la group of the tribes. If the white chief serious," said Rickard to MacLean. would recall the boycott the Monday "Theyre getting liquor la here, some strike was over. The white mans silway, the Lord only' knows how.' Any- ver bad won.' (TO BE CONTINUED.) way, theyre not fit for burning Monday morning. Fve Just sent them word Out of tha Mouths of Babes." by Coronel that Its got to quit, or they Willie, to talkative caller Well, do." Suppose they do?" MacLean was now that youve come, I suppose I shall startled. Not so Indian could be have to go for the doctor." Talks tlva FathCalled Why, Willler While spared at that stage of the game. HI I him make Bluff 1" Rickard got up. They er says you always won't take the chance of losing that Dream Tears. money. I'm off now to the Crossing. Far better to dream of crying than HI leave you in charge here." The next taornlng Wooster broke In- of laughter, for tears In a dream to the ramada where MacLean sat Joy and merriment tn real life; wfiilo laughter, laughter, when It is drt-tclicking his typewriter. difficult circumstances. Rickard's dona it up. jpresages Everything's short-haire- d ' 1 , a-e- |