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Show ft mm & v til K Mi mm - - . 8YN0PS18. Murray Sinclair and hi Kan of wreckers were called out to clear tho railroad tracks at Smoky Creek. MeCloud, a young road superintendent, caught and his men tn thu act of looting ino, wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded In nocenen, dclarln It only amounted to a mall mim a treat for the men. MeCloud discharged the whole outfit and ordered the wreckage burnid. MeCloud became acquainted with Dicksle Dunning, a girl of the west, who rante to look at the wreck. "Whispering" Gordon Smith told President Bucks of the railroad, of Mo Cloud's brave tight aitalnat a gang of crazed miners and that wai the reason lor the superintendent's appointment to Ills oillee. MeCloud arranged board at the boarding house of Mrs. Sinclair, the deRerted wife. Plcksl Dun fling was the daughter of the late Richard Dunning, who had died of a broken heart shortly after his wife's demise, which otvurred lifter one year of mar rled life. Smoky Creek bridge was mys teriously burned. Tresldent Bucks notl fled Smith that he had work ahead. A stock train was wrecked by an open witch. Later a paRsenger train was held up and the express car robbed. Two men of a poKse pursuing the bandits were killed. "Whispering Smith" appro;hed Sinclair. He tried to buy him off, but failed. He warned MeCloud that his life was In danger. M. Cloud wil carried forcibly Into Innce Running's presence. Dunning refused the railroad a rlght-o- f way, he had already signed for. Dicksle Interfered to prevent a shooting affray, Dicksle met MeCloud on a lonely trail to warn him his life was in danger. On his home a shot panned through his hat wy A sudden rise of the Crawling Stone riv er created consternation. Dicksle and M rlon appealed to MeCloud for help. Whispertng Smith joined the group. MeCloud took his men to fight the river. Lance Dunning welcomed them cordially, Me Cloud succeeded In halting the flood. Dlcksie and Marlon visited Sinclair at his ranch. He tried to persuade his deserted wife to return to him. She refused. He aectued Whispering Smith of having tolen her love from him. A train was held up and robbed, the bandits escaping. Smith and MeCloud started In pursuit. At Rnggg ranch Du Sung killed old Baggs. Whimpering Smith befriended his son. They came to Wll'iams Cache. Smith was certain the bandits were there. Ho Importuned Rebstock, "king of the cache," to give up Du Sang, Rebstock refused.. Smith declared he would clean out the whole gang, including Rebstock. Smith came 'upon the bandits, Du Sang among them. Single-handhe routed them all. He set In pursuit of one, the other two being hope lessly wounded. Du Sung died of his The party started for home. wounds. Medicine Dend heard the news of the love match with MeCloud's capture. Dlcksie progressed favorably. Sin-clu- lr ed , CHAPTER XXX. 4 Continued. "Won't you give me the number and let me telephone?" asked a voice be hind tbem. They turned In astonish' ment and taw Whispering Smith. "I am surprised," he added, calmly, "to see a man of your Intelligence, George, trying to broil a steak with the lower door of your stove wide open. Close the lower door and cut out the draft through the fire. Don't stare, George; put back the broiler, And haven't you made a radical mis-takto start with?" he asked, step ping between the confused, couple. "Are you not trying to broil a roast of beef?" m I I4 By & i - She ordered up her horse, without a word, and rode 20 miles in an hour and a half to find out here what we bad heard. She 'pushed In' at the Wickiup, where she never had been before In her . life, and wandered through It alone looking for my office, to find out from me whether I hadn't something to contradict the bad news. While we talked, in came your dls patch from Sleepy Cat Never was one better timed! And when she knew you were safe her eyes filled again." Whispering Smith looked at Dlcksie quizzically. Her confusion was de light fill. He rose, lifted her hand In bis own, and, bending, kissed it. They talked till late, and when Dlrkslo walked on the porch MeCloud followed to smoke. Whispering Smith still sat at the table talking to Marion and the two heard the sound of the low voices outside. At intervals Dick slc's laugh came In through the open door. , ILLUSTRATIONS DY ANDRE BOWIES ay Cms cfBns 6ws I don't blame you. You're worth all tho women I over knew, Marlon. I've learned to nppreciute some few things In the lnely months I've spent up on the I'rencuman; but I've felt while I was tnere as If I were working for both of s. I've got a buyer In sight now for the cattle and the land. I'm ready to clean up and say good-bto trouble all I want Is for you to give me the one chance I've asked for and go along." They stood facing each other under the dim light. She listened Intently to every word, though In her terror she might not have heard or understood all of them. One thing she did very clearly understand, and that was why he had come and what he wanted. To that Bhe held her mind tenaciously, and for that fhe shaped her answer. "I cannot, go with you now or ever." He waited a moment. "We always got along, Marion, when I behaved my-self- ., "I hope you 'always will behave Whispering Smith, listening, said but I could no more go with yourself; once she some for but nothing time, laughed peculiarly. He pricked up his ears. "What has been happening since I left town?" "What do you mean?" asked Marlon ' Sinclair. He nodded toward the porch. "Me Cloud and Dlcksie out there. They have been "fixing things up." "Nonsense! What do yon mean?" "I mean they are engaged." "Never in the world!" "I may be slow in reading a trail," said Smith, modestly, "but when woman laughs like that I think there's something doing. Don't you believe it? Call them in and ask them. You won't? Well, I wllL Take them In separate rooms. You ask her and I'll ask him.". In spite of Marlon's protests the two were brought In. "I am required by Mr. Smith to ask you a very silly question, Dlcksie," said Marion, taking her Into the living room. "Answer yes or no. Are you engaged to anybody?" "What a question! Why, no!" "Marlon Sinclair wants to know Just one thing. George," said Whispering Smith to MeCloud, after he had taken him Into the dark shop. "She feels she ought to know because she Is In a way Dlcksle's chaperone, you know, and she feels that you are willing she should know. I don't want to be too serious, but answer yes or no. Are you engaged to Dlcksie?" "Why, yes. ' "That's all; go back to the porch,' directed Whispering Smith. MeCloud obeyed orders. Marion, alone in the living room, was waiting for the Inquisitor, and her face wore a look of triumph. "You r are not such a after ail, are you? I told you they weren't." "I told you they were," contended Whispering Smith. "She says they are not," Insisted Marion. "He says they are," returned Whispering Smith. "And, what's more, I'll bet my saddle against the shop they are. I could be mistaken in any thing but that laugh." I don't want to live without you. If you make me do It, you're to blame for the consequences." . She stood with wldo-opeeyes, but uttered no word. "You won't touch It then you care a Utile for me yet," he murmured. . "No! Do not say so. But I will not do murder." "Think nbout the other, then. Go with me and everything will bo all right. I will come back some evening soon for my answer. And until then, if those two men have any use for life, let them keep In the clear. I heard that Du Sang Is killed. Do you know whether It Is truo?" "It is truo." , . An oath half escaping showed how the confirmation cut him. "And WhisIt is Du pering Smith got away! Sang's own fault; I told him to keep out of that trap. I stay In the open; and I'm not Du Sang. I'll choose my own ground for the finish when they want It with me. and when I go I'll take company I'll promise you that , I" mind-reade- "Where did you come from?" de manded MeCloud, as Marlon came in from the dining room. "Don't search me the very first thing." protested Whispering Smith. "But we've been frightened to death CHAPTER XXXI. here for 24 hours. Are you really alive and unhurt? This young lady rode In A Midnight Visit 20 miles this morning and camo to the The llphts, but one, were out. Me office In tears to pet news of you." Cloud and Whispering Smith bad gone, Smith looked mildly at Dlcksie. "Did and Marion was locking up the house you shed a tear for roe? I should like for the night, when she was halted by to have seen just one! Where did I a knock at the shop door. It was a come from? I reported In wild over summons that she thought she knew, the telephone ten minutes ago. Didn't but the lust In the world that she wanted Marion tell you? She Is so forgetful. to hear or to answer. Dlcksie had That is what causes wrecks, Marlon. gone to the bedroom, and standing 1 have been In the saddle since three between the portieres mat curtajnea o'clock this morning, thank you, and the workroom from the shop, Marlon t have had nothing for five days but In the listened, hesitating raw steer garnished with sunshine," whether to Ignore or to answer the The four sat down to supper, and midnight intruder. Dut experience, Whispering Smith began to talk. He and bitter experience, had taught her told the story of the chase to the there was only one way to meet that Cache, the defiance from Rebstock, particular summons, and that was to and tho tardy appearance of tho men act, whether at noon or at midnight, he wanted. "Du'Sang meant to shoot without fear. She waited until the his way through us and make a dstshl knocking had been twice repeated, for It There really Was nothing else turned up the light, and going to the for him to do. Hunks and Kennedy door drew the holt; Sinclair stood bewere up above, even If he could have fore her,' and she drew back for him ridden out through the upper canyon, toenter. "Dlcksie Dunning Is with which is very doubtful with nil the me said Marlon, with her water now. After a little talk back hand on the latch, "and we shall have and forth, Du Sang drew, and of to talk here." course then it was every man for himSinclair took off his hat "I knew self. He was hit twice and he died i'ou had company," he returned in the Sunday night, but the other two were low, gentle tone that Marlon knew not seriously hurt. What can you do? very well, "so I came late. And I It ia cither kill or get killed with those heard to night, for the first time, that fellows, and. of course, I talked plain- this railroad crowd Is after meGod ly to Du Sang. He had butchered a knows why; but they have to earn man at Mission Springs Just tho night tVlr salary somehow. I want to keep before, and deserved hanging a dozen out of trouble If I can. I won't kill times ovor. He mount from the start, anybody If they don't force mo to it he told me afterward, to got me. Oh, They've scared nearly oil my men Miss Dunning, may I liavo sonm more away from the ranch already; one coffee? Haven't I an agreeable part crlppled-ucowboy Is all I have got of tho railroad business, don't you to help me look after the cattle. Dut thluk? . I shouldn't have pushed In I won't quarrel with them, Marlon, If here toni?ht, but I saw the lights I can get away from here peaceably, whm I rod" b'y awhile ago; they so I've come to talk It over once more looked 60 good 1 couldn't resist." with you. I'm going away and 1 want MeCloud leaned forward. "You call you to go with me; I've got enough to It pushing In, do you, Guidon? ' Do keep us as woll as tho beat of them this young lady did and as long as we live. You've given jou know-whaI needed It, this morning? , One of her cowboys me a good" lesson. came down from tho Cache early with tfrlle " "Don't call me that!" the word that you had been killed In He laughed kindly. "Why, that's the fli;ht by Du Sang. IIo s:ild ho saw you droi from your saddle to the what It used to be; that'b what I half-ligh- 0 t i i man JMMMMMgjnBMMMIMBBWBMMnJWll ground with Du Sang shooting at you. want It to be again. H1WTO WZZ-- T ; 4 mm p t , "Here! Use It on Me!" you than I could make myself aguia what I was years ago, Murray. I wish you nothing but good; but our ways parted long ago." "Stop and think a minute, Marion, offer you more and offer It more honestly than I ever offered It before, because I know myself better. I am alone in the world strong, and better able to care for you than 1 was when I undertook 'I have never complained." 'That's what makes me more anx ious to show you now that I can and to" will do what's right" 'Oh, you multiply words! It Is too late for you to be here. You are In danger, you say; for the love of heaven, leave me and go away!" "You know me, Marlon, when my mind is made up. I won't leave, with out you." He leaned with one hand against the ribbon- showcase. "If you don't want to go I will stay right here and pay off tho scores I owe. Two men here have stirred this country up too long, anyway. I don't care much how soon anybody gets me after I round them up. Hut tonight I felt like this: You and I started out in life together, and we oiiRht to live it out or die together, whether it's to night, Marlon, or 20 years from to- night" Good night, Marion. Will you shake hands?" "No." "Damn It, I like your grit girl! Well, goodnight, anyway." She closed the door. She had even strength enough to bolt It before his footsteps died away. ehe put out the light and felt her way blindly back to the workroom. She staggered through it, clutching at tho curtains, and fell In the darkness Into Dlcksle's arms. "Marlon, dear, don't speak," Dicksle whispered. "I heard everything. Oh, Marlon!" she cried, suddenly conscious of the inertness of the burden In her arms. "Oh, what shall I do?" Moved by fright to her utmost strength, Dicksle drew the unconscious woman back to her room and managed to lay her on the bed. Marion opened her eyes a few minutes later to sectho lights burning, to hoar the telephone bell ringing, and to find Dlcksie on the edge of the bed beside hi;r. "Oh, Marion, thank heaven, you are reviving! I have been frightened to death. Don't mind the telenhone: it Is Mr. MeCloud. I didn't know what to do, bo I. telephoned him." "But you had better answer him," said Marion, faintly. The telephone bell was ringing wildly. "Oh, no! he can watt How are you, dear? I dou't wonder you were frightened to death. Marlon, he means to kill us sevcry one!" "No, Dicksle. Ho will kill me and kill himself : that Is where It will end. Dicksle, do answer the telephone. What are you thinking of? Mr. MeCloud will be at the door In five minutes. Do you want him In the street to night?" Dhksio fled to tho telephone, and an excited conference over the wire closed. In seeming reassurance at both ends, 'liy that time Marion had regained her steadiness, but she could not talk of what had passed. At times, as the two lay together In tho darkness, Marlon spoke, but it was not to be answered. "I do not kuow," she . "If you want to kill me I have no resistance to make." Sinclair sut down on a low counter-stool- , and, bending forward, hold his head between his hands. "It oughtn't all to end here. I know you, and I know you want to do what's right. I couldn't kill you without killing myself; you know that." Ho straightened up slowly. "Here!" He slipped his revolver from his hipholster and held tho grip of the gun toward her. "Use it on me If you want to. It is your chance to end everything; it may save several lives if you do. I won't leave MeCluud hero to crow over me, and, by Rod, I won't leave you here for Whispering Smith! I'll settle with him anyhow. Take tho pistol! What are youfrald of? Take It! Use It! t, w nun'i xx - iir wr. ii "I murmured once wearily. "Perhaps I tessly on tho table. "Kode down to am doing wrong; perhaps I ought to gether! For God's Bake, why dldnt go with him. I wish, oh, 1 wish I one of them stay at the house?" knew what I ought to do!" "Sinclair rode out from behind th barn and hit Wickwlre In the arm be fore they saw him. Banks turned and CHAPTER XXXII. opened on him, and Wickwlre ducked for the creek. Sinclair put a soft bulThe Call. Beyond receiving reports from Ken- let through Banks' shoulder lore It nedy and Bunks, who in the Interval pret ty bad, Gordon and made his getrode Into town and rode out again on away before Wickwlre and I could their separate and silent ways. Whis- reach tho barn again. I got Ed on his pering Smith for two days seemed to horse and back to WIckwire's, and do nothing. Yet instinct keener than we seut one of the boys to Orovllle for silence kept the people of Medicine a doctor. After Banks fell out of tho Bend on edge during those two dayB, saddle and was helpless Sinclair talked and when President Bucks' car came to him before I camo up, 'You ought In on the evening of the second day, to have kept out of this, Ed.' he said. tho town knew from current rumors 'This Is a railroad fight. Why didn't that Banks had gone to tho French- they send the head of their own gang man ranch with a warrant on a seri- after me?' naming you." Kennedy ous charge for Sinclair. In the presi- nodded toward Whispering Smith. "Naming me." dent's car Bucks and MeCloud, after "Banks says: 'I'm sheriff of this a late dinner, were Joined by Whispering Smith, and the president heard county, and will be a long time yet! the first connected story of the events I took the papers from his breast of the fortnight that had passed. pocket," continued Kennedy. "You Bucks made no comment until he had can see where he was hit." Kennedy heard everything. "And they rode laid the sheriff's packet on the table. Sinclair's horses," he said in con- Bucks drew his chair forward and, with his cigar between his fingers, clusion "Sinclair's horses," returned. Whis- picked the packet up and opened It pering Smith, "and they are all ac- Kennedy went on: "Ed told Sinclair counted for. One horse supplied by if he couldn't land him himself that Bebstock was shot where they crossed ho knew a man who could and would Stampede creek. It had given out and 'before he was a week older. He meant they had a fresh horse In the willows, you, Gordon, and the last thing Ed for they Bhot the serui half a milo up told me was that be wanted you to one of the canyons ne.ir the crossing. serve the pap srs on Sinclair." A silence fell on the company. Ono The magpies attracted my attention to It A piece of skin a foot square of the documents passing under Bucks' hand caught bis eye and he opened It had been cut out of the flank." It was the warrant for Sinclair. Ha "You got there before the birds." "It was about an even thing," said read It without comment, folded It. Smith. "Anyway, we were there In and, looking at Whispering Smith, pushed it toward him. "Then this, I time to see the horse." "And Sinclair was away from the guess, Gordon, belongs to you." Starting from a reverlo, Whispering ranch from Saturday noon till Sunday Smith, - reached for the warrant Ho nlghtr "A rancher living over on Stam- looked- for a moment at the bloodpede creek saw the five men when stained caption. "Yes," he said, "this, I guess, belongs to me." they crossed Saturday afternoon. The fellow was scared and lied to me CHAPTER XXXIII. about it, but he told Wickwlre who they were." Duty.' "Now, who Is "Wickwlre?" asked The stir of the town over the shootBucks. "You ought to remember Wickwlre, ing of Banks seemed to Marlon, in her George," remarked Whispering Smith, distress, to point an accusing finger at "You haven't her. The disgrace of what she had turning to MeCloud. the forgotten Smoky creek wreck? felt herself powerless to prevent now Do you remember the tramp who had weighed on her mind, and she asked his legs crushed and lay In the sun all herself whether, after all, the responmorning? You put him In your car sibility of this murder was not upon and sent him down here to the rail- her. Even putting aside this painful road hospital and Barnhardt took care doubt, she bore the name of the man of him. That was Wickwlre. Not a who had savagely defied accountabilibad fellow, either; he can talk pretty ty and now, it seemed to her, was straight and shoot pretty straight. dragging her with him through tha How do I know? Because he has told slough of blood and dishonor Into me the story and I've Feen him shoot. which he had plunged. The wretched thought would return There, you see, la one friend that you never reckoned on.' He used to be a that had she listened to him, had sho cowboy, and I got him a Job working consented to go away," this outbreak Tor Sinclair on the Frenchman; he might have been prevented. And what has worked at Dunnlng's and other horror might not another day bring what lives still closer to her life ha places on the Crawling Stone. He bates Sinclair with a deadly hatred taken? For herself she cared less? for some reason. Just lately Wick- but she knew that Sinclair, now that wlre set up for himself on Little he had begun, Would not stop. Ia whichever way her thoughts turned, , Crawling Stone." "I have noticed that fellow's ranch," wretchedness was upon them, and the k day went In one of those despairing remarked MeCloud. "I couldn't leave him at Sinclair's," and Indecisive battles that each ona continued Whispering Sm'th, frankly. within his own heart must fight at "The fellow was on my mind all the times with heaviness and doubt. MeCloud called her over the teletime. I felt certain he would kill Sinclair or get killed If he stayed there. phone In tho afternoon to say that ha And then, when I took him away they was going wesfou the evening train sprang Tower W on me! That Is the and would not be over for supper. price, not of having a conscience She wished he could have come, for for I. haven't any, but of listening to her loneliness began t to be Insupportthe voiqe that echoes where my con- able. Toward sunset she put on her hat science used to be." said the railroad and Btarted for the In the man, moving uneasily In his chair. Bucks broke the ash from his cigar meantime, Dicksle, at home, had Into the tray on the table. "You are culled MeCloud up and told him she restless Gordon and It Isn't was coming down for the night. He immediately canceled hla plans for like you, either." ' "It Is In the air. There has been going west, and when Marlon returned a dead calm for two days. Something at dusk she found him with Dicksle la duo to happen I wish I at the cottage. The three had supper. could hear from Bunks; he started Afterward Dicksle and MeCloud went with the papers for Sinclair's yester- out for a walk, and Marlon was alone day while I went to Orovlllo to sweat in the house when the shop door has set In and opened and Whispering Smith walked Karg. it Is' rather Important to us to get a in. It was dusk. "Don't light tho lamps, Marlon," he confession. There's a horse!" He said, to sitting down on a counter-stoo- l the window. stepped "Coming fast, too. Now, I woudcr no, lie's gone as he took off his hat. "I want to' talk to you Just a minute. If you don't by." Five minutes later a messenger mind. You know what has happened. came to the car from the Wickiup with I am called on now to go after Sinword that Kennedy wa.i looking for clair. I have tried to avoid It, but my Whispering Smith. Bucks, MeCloud hand 1ms been forced. Today I've and Smith left the car together and been placing horsi s. I am going to ride to night with the warrant. I have walked up to MeCloud's ofilce. Kennedy, sitting on the edge of the given him n start of 24 hours, hoping table, was tapping hla leg nervously he may pet out of the country . To stay bhe means only death to him In with a ruler. "Bad news, Gordon." tho end, una, what Is worse, the kill"Not from Ed Uanks?" ing of more and Innocent men. But "Sinclair got him this morning." ho wou't leave thu country; do you Whispering Smith sut down. "Go think he will?" on." (TO B12 CONTINL'tCD.) and I picked up Wickwlre . "Banks " on the Crawling stone early, and wo, A True Southerner. rode over to tho Frenchman. WickSenator Bcveiidge was praising the . wlre Bald Sinclair had been up at suvolr fiiiro of a southern Williams Cache the day before, mid he didn't think he was homo. Of "Ills savoir-faire,enld the nena-tor- , course I knew the Cache was watched "never deserts him. I onoo mh( and he wouldn't bo there long, so Ed next him at. a banquet Budik'Uly asked me to stay In tho cottonwoods there was a tintteiiug fall, and a and watch the creek for him. Ho and clumsy waiter spilled a plain of clear Wickwlre couldn't find anybody home soup down his back. IIo Just bit hla when they got to tho rancbliouse and Up. they rode down tho corral together to '"It was thick soup l nxltod for, look over the horses." he Bald, In a slightly reproachful Whispeiiuu Smlth'g hand fell help. voice, to the man." -- . post-offic- Blood-poisonin- g congri-ss-num- ; " |