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Show THE TIMES-NEW- NEPHI, UTAH S, By GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON CHAPTER XIX ," Continued. 13 "Yep. And I sort of guess you'll be with him before you're much older. If Gwynne knows what he's " "I've cot to get out of this town tonight, Jack." cried the younger runn, starting to his feet. "Understand, I'm not saying I aw mixed up In any way with Hawk and his crowd, but I've got Important business In Attica early tomorrow morning. That's all you can get me to say. I'll sneak up the back road to the tavern and pack my saddlebags this afternoon, and I'll leave money with you to settle with Johnson. I may have to ask you to fetch my horse down here " "Just a minute," broke in Trent-man- , who had been regarding him with hard, calculating eyes. "If it's as bad as all this, I guess you'd better not wait till tonight. It may be too late and besides I don't want the sheriff coming down here and Jerking you out of my place. You don't need to tell me anything more about your relations with Hawk. I'm no fool, Barry. I know now that you are mixed up In this business that's been goinj on for months. It don't take a very smart brain to grasp the situation. You've probably been making a pretty good thing out of moving this stuff down the river on your boats, and Now, don't get up on your ear, my friend. No use trying to bamboozle me. You're scared stiff and that's enough for me. And you've got a right to be. This will put an end to your company's boats coming up here for traffic it will kill you deader'n a doornail so far as business Is concerned. So you'd better get out at once. I never liked you very much anyhow and now I've got no use for you at all. Just to save my skin and my own reputation as a citizen, I'll help you to get away. Now, here's what I'll do. I'll send up and get your horse and have him down here inside of fifteen minutes. There's so darned much excitement up in town ' about tills murder that nobody's going to notice you for the time being. And besides a lot of farmers from over west are coming in, scared half to death about Black Hawk's Indians. They'll be out looking for you before long, your lordship, and it won't Infer the purpose of Inviting yon t have a drink. They'll probably bring a rail along with 'em. so's you'll hi least have the consolation of riding up to the calaboose. You'll " "Oh, for God's sake!" grated Barry, furiously. "Don't try to be comical. Trentman. This Is no time to Joke or preach either. Give me a swig stock-stealin- g g of" . No whisky. friend," "Nope said the gambler firmly. "Whisky always l'u;s false courage Into a man, and I don't want you to be doing anything foolish. I'll have your mare fancy down here In fifteen minutes, saddled and everything, and you will hop on her and ride up the street, right past trie courthouse. Just as If you're out for an hour's canter for your health. You will not have any saddlebags or traps. You'll ride light, my friend. That will throw 'em off the track. But what I want you to do as soon as you get out the other side of the tanyard is to turn in your saddle and wave a last ' farewell to the Star city. You might throw a kiss at It, too, while you're ubout it. Because you've got a long Journey ahead of you and you're not coining buck that anv-i;- i uii irw inn lime some pretty fast horses in this town, ns you may happen to remember. So I'd advise you to get a good Ions start and keep It." If Lapelle beard all of this he gave no sign, for he bad sidled over to imh little window and was peering ot.llqie-lthrough the trees toward the rond that led from the "shanty" toward the town. Suddenly he turned upon the gambler, a savage oath on bis lips. "Yon hef I'll romp hark ! And wlien I do, I'll give this town something to talk about. I'll make tracks now. It's the only tiling to do. But I'm not licked not by a long shot. Jack Trent-man- . I'll be back Inside of " , "I'll make you a prespnt of a couple of pistols a fellow- - left will) me for a debt a month or so ago. You may need em," said Trentman blandly. "Better get ready to start. I'll have the horse here In no time." "You're d d growled Barry, pettishly. "Yep," agreed the other. "But I'm ! my some of the most Influential citizens of the place as at least a score of eyes fell upon his buttered visage. I'ride and rage got the belter of him. He whirled Fancy about with a savage Jerk and rode back ,to the group. "Take a good look, gentlemen," he snapped out, his eyes gleaming for all the world like two thin little slivers of t iron. "The coward who hit me before I had a chance to defend myself has Just denied me the satisfaction of a duel. I sent him a challenge to fight It out with pistols day after tomorrow morning. He Is afraid to meet me. The challenge still stands. If you should gee Mr. Gwynne, gentlemen, between now and Friday morning, do me the favor to say that I will be the happiest man on earth If he can muster up sufficient Good-dacourage to change his mind. red-ho- gentlemen." With this vainglorious though vicarious challenge to an absent enemy, he touched the gad to Fancy's flank and rode away, bis head erect, his back as stiff as a ramrod, leaving him a staring group whose astonishment did not give way to levity until he was nearing the corner of the square. He cursed softly under his breath at the sound of the first guffaw; he subdued with difficulty a wild, reckless Impulse to turn in the saddle and send a shot or two at them. But this was no time for folly, no time to lose his head. Out of the corner of his eye he took In the jail and the group of citizens on the courthouse steps. Something seemed to tell him that these men were saying, "There he goes stop him! He's getting away!" They were looking at him; of that he was subtly conscious, although he managed to keep his eyes set straight ahead. Only the most determined effort of the will kept him from suddenly putting spur to the mare. Afterwards he complimented himself on his remarkable and laughed as he likened his present alarm to that of a boy passing a graveyard nt night. Nevertheless, he was now filled with an acute, very real sense of anxiety and apprehension ; every nerve was on d l, edge. It was all very well for Jark Trent-mato say that this was the safest, most sensible way to go about It, but had Jack ever been through It him self? At any moment Martin Hawk might cutch a glimpse of him through the barred window of the Jail and let out a shout of warning; at any mo ment the sheriff himself might dash nut of the courthouse witli a warrant lu his hand and then what? He had a chill, uneasy feeling that they woidd be piling out after him before be could reach the cover of the friendly thick ets at the lower end of the street. A pressing weight seemed to slide ojf big shoulders and neck as Funcj swung smartly around the bend Into n the narrow wagon-roa- d that stretched Its aimless way through the scrubby bottom lands and over the ridge to the open sweep of the plains beyond. I'resently he urged the mare to a rhythmic lope, and all the while his ears were alert for the thud of gal loping horses behind. It us not tint he reached the tableland to the south that he drove the rowels Into the flanks of the swift and leaned forward In the saddle to meet the rush of the wind, full well he knew that given the start of nn hour no horse in I lie county could cutch his darling Fancy! And so it was that Barry Lapelle rode out of the town of Lafayette, never to return again. I1 CHAPTER In y ''kind-hearted." n Upttairi XX b, DODD. MEAD fc COMPANY. Uc dead. The world Is kind enough to let the dead rest In peace. But It gives no quarter to the living. My mother walks with me, Kenneth Gwynne. The world, when It knows, will throw stones at her. That means It will have to throw stones at me. She did not abandon me. I shall not abandon her. She sinned" here her lip trembled and she has been left to pay the pen alty alone. It may sound strange to you, but my mother was also deserted Information concerning Rachel Carter. by your father. God let him die. but I lie was nearing his own gate before can't help feeling that It wasn't fair,! he saw Viola, seated on the porch. In- It wasn't right for him to die and' voluntarily tie slackened his pace. A leave lyr to face this all alone." 'And you want to know where I sort of panic seized him. Was she waiting there to question him? He stand in the matter?" 'It makes no difference, Kenny. I, experienced a sudden overwhelming What was he to say to her? only want you to understand. I don't dismay. How was he to face the unhappy, want to lose you as a friend I would' stricken but even as he contemplated like to have you stand up and take-youshare of the " n cowardly retreat, she arose and 'And that Is Just what I Intend to came swiftly down the path. He groaned Inwardly. There was no es- do," he broke In. "We occupy strange cape. positions, Viola. We are shall I say; Now, as he hesitated, uncertainly at birds of a feather? This had to come. his own gate, his heart In his boots, Now that It has come and you know, all that I know, are we to turn against she serenely beckoned to him. "I want to see you, Kenny," she his legs would carry him to warn La- pelle of his peril afforded him no small amount of satisfaction. If he knew tkis man and he thought he did Barry would lose no time In shaking the dust of Lafayette from his feet. The thought of that had sent his spirits up. He went even farther in his reflections and found himself hoping that Barry's flight might be so precipitous that he would not have the opportunity to disclose his newfound have spared you If I could. Yon are of my flesh and" blood, you are a part of me. There has never been an In stant In all these hard, trying years when I have not loved and cherished you as the gift that no woman, honest or dishonest, can despise. You will know what that means when you have a child of your own, and you will never know It until that has come to pass. You may cast me out of your heart, Viola, but you cannot tear yourself out of mine. So I have spoken. There Is no more." She turned her head to look out of Viola did not move. the window. I'resently the older woman spoke again. "Your name Is MInda Carter. You will be twenty-twyears old next September. You have no right to the name of Gwynne. The boy who lives In- that house over yonier Is the only one who has a right to It. But his birthright is no cleaner than yours. You can look him in the face without shame to yourself, because your father was an honest man and your mother was his loyal, faithful wife, and Kenneth Gwynne can say no more Is was dead. There Is a difference, my child." Viola shook her head stubbornly. "I don't see why the woman must always be crucified and the man allowed to go his way " "It Is no use, Viola," Interrupted Rachel, rising. Her face had hardened again. "We cannot change the ways of the world." She crossed the room, but stopped with her hand on the door- latch. Turning to her daughter, she snid: "Whatever Kenneth may think of me, he has the greatest respect and He bears no admiration for you. grudge against you. You must bear no grudge against him. You and he are children who have walked In darkness for twenty yenrs, but now you have come to a place where there Is light. See to it, Viola, that you are as fair to him as you would have him be to you. You stand on common ground with the light of understanding all about you. Do not turn your backs upon each other. Face one another. It is the only way." Viola's eyes flashed. She lifted her called out. This was no stricken, unhappy crea' chin. "I am not ashamed to look Kenneth ture who approached hltn. Her figure than that" Gwynne In the face," said she, a cer- was proudly erect ; she walked brisk"Nor as much," burst from the girl's tain crispness In her voice. Then, ly; there was no trace of shame or lips with a fervor that startled her with a quick change to tenderness, humiliation In her face; if anything, mother. "Ills father was not a loyal, "You are so tired, mother. Won't you she was far more at ease than he. "I want to thank you," she said faithful husband, nor was he an hon- lie down and sleep awhile?" est man or he would have married "After I have eaten something. calmly, "for what you did this mornCome downstairs. I want to hear ing. Not only for what you did to you." She was on her feet now, her body what happened here this morning. him but for keeping me from shooting bent slightly forward, her smoldering Kenneth told me very little and you him." She held but her hand, but loweyes fixed Intently upon her mother's hare done nothing but ask questions ered It Instantly when she saw that his own was rather significantly hidface. of me." den Inside the breast of his coat A Rachel Carter stared incredulously. "Did he tell you that he struck Barlook of pain fluttered across her eyes. Something In Viola's eyes. In the ring ry Lapelle?" "Where Is your mother?" he asked of her voice caused her heart to leap. "No." "I was his wife in the eyes of "Or how near I came to shooting lamely. She seemed to read his thoughts. God," she began, but something rushed him?" "Mother and I have talked It all over, "Merciful heaven !" up Into her throat and seemed to choke her. "Well, I guess Barry won't rest till Kenneth. She has told me every"And you have told Kenneth all he has told the whole town what we thing." "Oh, you poor darling!" he cried. this?" cried Viola, a light as of under- are, and then we'll have to face some "Don't waste any sympathy on me, "He thing cruel, mother. But we will face standing flooding Tier eyes. she retorted, coldly. "I don't want It. knows? How long has he known?" it together." "I I can't remember. Some of It She put her arm about her mother's Not from Robert Gwynne's son at any for weeks, some of It only since last shoulders and they went down the rate." He was now looking at her steadily. narrow staircase together. night." "Ah !" There was a world of mean"It will not cost me a single friend. "I see. You don't care for the breed, Is that It?" ing In the cry. Even as she uttered It Viola," remarked Rachel grimly. "Kenny," she began, a solemn note she swemed to, feel his arms about her have none to lose. But with you It In her voice, "there Is no reason why and the strange thrill that had charged will be different." "We don't have to stay In the old you and I should hurt each other. If "And You Want to Know Where I through her body from head to foot. Stand in the Matter." She sut down again on the edge of town." said Viola bravely. The world I hurt you Just now I am sorry. But the bed; a dark wave of color surging Is large. We can move on. Just as I meant what I said. I do not want each other bectuse of what happened we used to before we came here to the pity of Robert Gwynne's son any when we were babies? We have to her cheek and brow. done more than you want to be pitied by "I am waiting," said her mother, live. Always moving on, we were." no wrong. I love you. Viola I began We Rachel shook her head. They were the daughter of Rachel Carter. after a moment. Her voice was steady. you before I found out yout stand on even terms. I Just want you loving at the bottom of the stairs. "It Is your turn to speak, my child." I will love-yowere not my to know Is Is on. move that as heart as stout This where not will my "I "Mother." she began, n deep, full all my life. Now you know where 1 and as is and The man that die. yours live my to pride strong." I stand." note In her voice, "I want you to let I Intend He bowed his head. "AH my life I me sit In your lap, with your arms lived for Is up yonder In the grave- She looked straight Into his eyes for around me. Like when I was a little vard. I will not go away and leave have thought of my father as a Sam In her own there was son who was betrayed by a Delilah. I a long time; all now not these after him years. girl." that seemed to search his something move on. never have must allowed to But you think of child, my you. Rachel lifted her eyes; and as the myself I him as anything but great and strong soul, something of wonder, something girl looked down into them the hnrd- - You have something else to live for. and Intense as if her own soul I and I can But hold to man's estate still groping my have nothing. good. grew was asking a grave, perplexing queshead up. even here. You will not find believing him to be the victim of an tion. A faint, slow surge of color stole evil woman. I am not In the ordinary it so easy. You will " in the house into her face. "I must "it will be as easy for me as If will sense a fool and yet I have been utter now," she said, a queer golittle flutter In In without broke the ly the to renson. Kenneth for Gwynne." power My her voice. "After dinner I am going girl. "Wait and see which one of us eyes nave neen opened, Viola. I am down with mother to see Moll Hawk. runs away first. K won't be me." seeing with a new vision. I have more If if you mean all that you have Just "He will not go away and leave to overlook, more to forgive In my said, Kenny, why did you refuse to father said Carter. than Rachel In have mother you your you," shake hands with me?" I speak plainly, because I Viola gave her a quick, startled hope this ! He withdrew his bruised right hand to be the last time we ever touch upon look. They were In the kitchen, how'rom Its hiding place. "It Is an ugly the Then it was ever, before .she spoke. subject. You. at least, have grown to look at but I am proud of It," up to know the enduring love of a thing to say: he said. "I would give It for you a "Now I understand why I have mother. She did not leave you behind :housund times over." never been able to think oMilm as my She was not altogether heartless. "Oh, I'm I'm sorry I misjudged brother." That," and nothing more; That Is all I can say, all I shall evei she cried out. Then both her you" even to you. about my father." there was an odd. almost frightened say, hands closed on the unsightly memHe spoke with such deep feeling expression In her eyes. ber arid pressed It gently, tenderly. Later on they sut on the little front and yet so simply that her heart was There was. that In the touch of her A touched. with older woman, the where look Inn wistful came porch, .Inn, strong fingers that sent an echer eyes. scant recourse to the graphic, static shock racing into every fiber In the story of Moll Hawk. Tiiln "I am still bewildered by It all tils and horror dwelt In Viola's wide, love- Kenny," she said. "In the wink oi !iandbody. "I will never question that again. Kenny," she said, and I an eye, everyimng is altered. ly eyes. am 'hen, releasing It, she turned and not Viola Gwyn. I am Miuila Carter "Oh, poor, poor Moll," she murvalked rapidly away. . mured at the end of the wretched I am not your You seen He stood watching her until she ran tale. "She has never known a mothsuddenly to have gone very far away the porch steps and disaper's love, or a mother's cure. She has from me. It hurts me to feel that we nimbly up Inside the house. Whereupon never had a chance." can never be the same toward each peared Then Rachel Carter said a strange other thnt we were even this morning he lifted the swollen but now blessed knuckles to his lips and sighed prothing. "When all this Is over and she ( hud come to care for you as t Is free, I intend to ofTer her a home brother. Now you are a stranger. I I foundly. "Something tells me she still loves with me." loved being your sister and and "You Have No Right to the Nam of Hurry, in spile of everything," he mutThe girl stared, If as were broth you my treating Gwynne." "With you? Here with us?" er. Now u II that is over." She sighed tered, suddenly Immersed In gloom. "Women stick through thick and thin. "You will not here be with always ness of years mel'ed sway and they deeply. If they once love a man they never " ine." said her mother. "Yes" be said gently, "nil that Is grew worulrou soft and gentle. "Dinners ready, Mnrse Kenneth," "How can you say such a thln-r?over for you. Vlolu. Rut 1 have known "Is Ills your verdict?'" she asked. announced Zachariah from the doorhonest with Then for week quickthat Indignation, are not many you my solemnly. step. ly: "I know I planned to run off and sister." "Yes," was the simple respome. TO n CONTINUED.! a while but little leave that no you "I bear ago. slw "You do not cast me out of your grudge against you" 1 to liefore how know much said, meeting bis gaze steadily. "Mj cuine heart? lleioeinber. In the sight of whs Forgot Part of Her. you heed me." heart Is bitter toward the man I hsvnum. I am an evil woman." The housewife was busily engaged Rachel experienced one of her rare always looked upon as my father. But ulth the "Von are my mother. You did not family washing one Monday divert me. You would not leave tne sniil'.s. "And before you came to it doe not contain one drop of bitter morning when she saw the rent collecknow Kenneth she I said ness toward you. What matters If Gwynne," behind. Yon hare loved me since the tor coming up the patn to the door. day I was born. You will never be an "No. my dear, the time Is not far off have walked In darkness and you It She Instructed her little son to answer evil woman In my eyes. Hold me In when you will not need a mother. Moll the light? We were treading the same the bell and tell the visitor that she your lap, mother dear. I shall always Hawk needs one now. I shall try to path all the time. Now we meet ami had gone out on an errand. be a mother to that hapless girl." know each other for what we really 'feel safe then." Since the room oiTered no better hidViola looked nt her, the little line of are. The path Is not wide enough for Rachel's lips and chin quivered . ing pi me, she crouched behind a A lon time afterward the girl gently perplexity deepenlngietwecn her eyes. us to walk beside each other without clotheshorse, on which the duties were "Somehow It seems to tne Hint I am our garments touching. Are we to hanging to dry. disengaged herself from the strong. to know my own mothJust turn back and walk the other way so The boy opened the door and trdd tense embrace and roje to her feet. er." she said. that our unclean garments may not the tale, according to his mother's In"You say that Kenneth hates you, touch ?" structions. When he bud (tnlsheo the she said, "and you say that you do not Viola was alone on the porch when "For heaven's sake. Viola," be cried visitor cast a sharp glance toward the blame blm. Is It right and fair that he should hate you any more than I Kenneth came Into view at the bend In pain, "what ran have put such a screen of drying clothes and remarked: In the road. He had chuckled more thought Into your head? Have I evei "Well, my lad. Just teM oUr mother should hate his father?" "Yes," replied Rachel Carter. "It Is than once after patting from the gam- said or done anything to cause yog to I called, and you nC'i.i tell her that next time she goes dowi, rhe street she right arid fair. I was bis mother's best bler; a mental vision of the Inwardl.i think "You innn not forget that yon can would do better to take her feet wilh his agitated though outwardly blund Mr. friend. Ills fa. her did not betr-iYour fstbei he.' best friend, as t did, fur uiy husband Trentman waking tracks us fust as walk bj yourself, Kenny o ' - half-siste- k mWik nar-rate- d Room. was characteristic of Kiichel Carter that she should draw the window curtains aside In Viola's bedroom, ui lowing the pitiless light of ihiy to fali to upon her face us she se.ited hcrwi-lSh make confession. had come t the hour when nothing was to be hid den from her daughter. least of all the cheek that wan to be smitten. The girl sat on the edge of the bed. her elbow on the footboard, her cheek resting upon her hand. Not once did she lake her eyes from the gray, emotionless face of the woman who sat in the light. In the course of time, Itachel Carter came to the end of her story. She bail made no attempt to- Justify herself, had uttered no word of regret, no signal of repentance, tin plea for forahe-ness- . The cold, unfaltering truth, without a single mitigating alloy In the shape of sentiment, hud Issued from her tired hut will She went through to the end without being Interrupted by the girl, wnose silence was eloquent of a strength and courage unsurpassed even by this woman from whom she hud, After all. Inherited both. She did not flinch, she did nt cringe as the truth whs laid bare before her. She was marie of the same stsunch fiber n her mother, she possessed the Indomitable spirit that stiffens and remain unyielding In the fare of calamIt CcpTTwht f He went out. slamming the door behind him. Twenty mlnu'e later. Ba.ry emerged from the "shanty" and mounted his sleek, restless thoroughbred. Having recovered, for purposes atceptlon, his lordly, titude toward the world, be rode off jauntily In the direction of the town, according Trentman the scant courtesy of a careless wave of the hand at parting. He had counted his money, examined the borrowed pistols, and at the last moment Imd hurriedly dashed off a brief letter to Kenneth Gwynne, to he posted the following day by the avid though obliging .Mr. Trentman. ls rancor and coercing hi ity. Stifling "Now you know everything." said vanity im the same time, he cuntered Rachel Carter, wearily. "I have tried boldly past the tavern, blttrly swar to keep It from yon. Bui the truth f the protruded look of amazement hut fntemmteil tur conversation oi will out. I i Qod's la. 1 would twenty-year-ol- wiWrnl half-sister- yu open-mouthe- " - I" r. . |