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Show H. Spearman x by Frank LLU5TRATION6 O BY , 1 ANDRE COPYRIGHT 1908 SYNOPSIS. Sinclair and hla gang of wreckcalled out to clear the railroad McCloud, a at tracks Smoky Creek. young road superintendent, caught Sinact of looting In men the clair and his the wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded toin-a amounted nocence, declaring it only small sum a treat for the men. McCloud and ordered discharged the whole outfit the wreckage burned. McCloud became Dunning, a girl acquainted with Liicksie of the west, who came to look at the wreck. She gave him a message for SinGordon Smith told clair. Whispering President Bucks of the railroad, of Mc-of Cloud's brave fight against a gang crazed miners and that was the reason for the appointment to office. MoCloud arranged to his high superintendents board at the boarding house of Mrs. Sindeserted wife. clair, the Dicksie Dunning was the daughter of the late Richard Dunning, who had died of a broken heart shortly after his wife's demise, which occurred after one yearSin-of married life. Sinclair visited Marlon clairs shop and a fight between him and McCloud was narrowly averted. Smoky Creek bridge was mysteriously burned. McCloud prepared to face the situation. President Bucks notified Smith that he had work ahead. McCloud worked for and finally got the division running days In fairly good order. He overheard Dick-si- e criticising his methods, to Marion Sinclair. A stock train was wrecked by an open switch. Later a passenger train was held up and the express car robbed. Two men of a posse pursuing the bandits were killed. McCloud was notified that Whispering Smith was to hunt tiie desperadoes. Bill Dancing, a road lineman, proposed that Sinclair and his gang be sent to hunt the bandits. A stranger, aptold him to go parently with authority, ahead. Dancing was told the stranger apSmith was "Whispering Smith. to buy him proached Sinclair. He triedMcCloud .t th off, but failed. He warned his life was in danger. McCloud was carried forcibly into Lance Dunnings presence. Dunning refused the railroad a he had already signed for. Dicksie interfered to prevent a shooting a lonely affray. Dicksie met McCloud on trail to warn him his life was In danger. On his way home a shot passed through his hat. Whispering Smith reported that Du Sang, on& of Sinclairs gang, had been to kill McCloud. He and Smith assigned saw Du Sang. Whispering Smith taunted Du Sang and told him to get out of Medicine Bnd or suffer. Du Sang seemed to succumb to the bluff. McClouds big construction job was taken from him because of an injunction issued to Lance Dunning by the United States court. A sudden rise of the Crawling Stone river created consternation. Dicksie and Marion appealed to McCloud for help. Whisgroup. He and pering Smith joined the in conversation, Dicksie spent the night outline of his an Smith giVing the girl life. In the morning McCloud took his men to fight the river. Lane Dunning were ersMurray right-of-wa- welcomed them cordially. CHAPTER XX. BOWLETcB BY CHAi SCR IBNERJ Continued. Let me talk with them. Just what I should like. Come on! said Dicksie, leading the way to the chicken-yard- . I want you to see my bantams, too. I have three of the dearest little things. One is setting. They are over the way. Come see them first. And, oh, you must see my new game chickens. Truly, you never saw anything as handsome as Caesar hes the rooster; and I have six pullets. Caesar is perfectly superb. When the two reached the chicken house Dicksie examined the nest where she was setting the bantam hen. This miserable hen will not set, she exclaimed in despair. "See here, Mr. Smith, she has left her nest again and is scratching around on the ground. Isnt it a shame? Ive tied a cord around her leg so she couldnt run away, and she is hobbling around like a scrub pony. Perhaps the eggs are too warm, suggested her companion. I have had great success in cases like this with powdered ice not using too much, of course; just shave the ice gently and rub it over the eggs one at a time; it will often result in refreshing the attention of the hen, Arent you Dicksie looked grave. ashamed to make fun of me? Smith seemed taken Whispering aback. "It is really serious business? Of course. Very good. Let me watch this hen for a few minutes and diagnose her. You go on to your other chickens. Ill Stay here and think. Dicksie went down through the yards. When she came back, Whispering Smith was sitting on a cracker box watching the bantam. The chicken was making desperate efforts to get off Dicksies cord and join its companions in the runway. Smith was eying the bantam critically when Do you usual'Dicksie rejoined him. ly, he asked, looking suddenly up, have success In setting roosters? Now you are having fun with me again. I am not. No, by heaven! "Have you diagnosed the case? I have, and I have diagnosed it as a case of mistaken identity. Identity? And misapplied energy. Miss Dick-?e- , you have tied up the wrong bird. This is not a bantam hen at all; this is a bantam rooster. Now that is my judgment. Compare him with the others. Notice how much darker his plumage is its the rooster, declared Whispering Smith, wiping the perDont feel plexity from his brow. bad, not at all. Cut him loose, Miss Dicksie dont hesitate; do it on my Now lets look at the responsibility. tannibal leghorns and great Caesar. CHAPTER XXI. Between Girlhood and Womanhood. About nine oclock that night Puss ushered McCloud in from the river. Dicksie came running downstairs to Your cousin insisted I meet him. should come up to the house for some I said McCloud, dryly. supper, JONJ j O could have taken camp fare wltD the men. Gordon stayed there with him. Dicksie held his hat in her hand, and her eyes were bright In the firelight. Puss must have thought the two made a handsome couple, for she lingered, as she started for the kitchen, to look back. Puss, exclaimed her mistress, "fry a chicken right away! A big one, Puss! Mr. McCloud is very hungry, I know. And be quick, do! Oh, how Is the river, Mr. McCloud? Behaving like a lamb. It hasnt fallen much, but the pressure seems to he off the bank, if you know what that means? You must be a magician! Things changed the minute you came! The last doctor usually gets credit for the cure, you know. Oh, I know all .about that. Dont you want to freshen up? Should you mind coming right to my room? Marion is in hers, explained Dicksie, and I am never sure of Cousin Lances he has so many boots. When she had disposed of McCloud she flew to the kitchen. Puss was Take a starting after a chicken. lantern. Puss! whispered Dicksie, vehemently. No, Indeed; di3 nigger don need no lantern fo chickens. Miss Dicksie. But get a good one, Puss, and make must be haste, do! Mr. McCloud starved! Where is the baking powder? Ill get the biscuits started. Puss turned fiercely. "Now look-Yo heah yo cant make biscuits! jes go se down wif dat young genmn! Jes lemme lone, ef yo Dis aint de firs time I please! killed chickens, Miss Dicksie, an made biscuits. Jes clair out an se down! Place fr young ladies is in de 01 Puss can cook supinr parlor! fr one man yet ef she has to! Oh, yes. Puss, certainly, I know, of course; only, get a nice chicken! an, with the parting admonition Dicksie, smoothing her hair wildly, hastened back to the living r om. But vhe harm was done. Puss, more evcited than her mistress, lost he. head when she got to the chicken-yarQ- , and with sufficiently bad results. When Dicksie ran out a few moments afterward for a glass of water for McCloud, Puss was calmly wiping her hands, and in the sink lay the quivering form of young Caesar. Dicksie caught her favorite up by the legs and suppressed a cry. There could ho no mistake. She cast a burning look on Puss. It would do no good to storm now. Dicksie only wrung he" hands and returned to McCloud. He rose in the happiest meod. He could not see what a torment Dicksie was in, and took the water without asking himself why it trembled in her hand. Her restrained manner did not worry him, for he felt that his fight at the river was won, and the prospect of fried chicken composed him. Even the long hour before Puss, calm and inviting in a white cap and apron, appeared to announce supper, passed like a dream. When Dicksie rose to lead the way to the dining room, McCloud walked on air; the high color about her eyes intoxicated him. Not till half the fried chicken, with many compliments from McCloud, had disappeared, and the plate had gone out for the second dozen biscuits did he notice a Dicksies abstraction. Im sure you need worry no longer about the water, he observed, reasI think the worst of the suringly. danger is past. Dicksie locked at the tablecloth with eyes. I feel sure that it is. I am no longer worrying about that. Its nothing I can do or leave undone, is it? asked McCloud, laughing a little as he implied in his tone that she must be worrying about somewide-ope- n thing. Dicksie made a gesture of alarm. Oh, no, no; nothing! Its a pretty good plan not to worry about anything. "Do you think so? Why, we all thought so last night. McCloud drew back in his Heavens! I never offered you a piece of chair. chicken! What have I been thinking of? Oh, I wouldnt eat it anyway! cried Dicksie. You wouldn't? It is delicious. Do have a plate and a wing at least. "Really, I could not bear to think of it, she said, pathetically. lower. He spoke Something is troubling you. I have no right to a confidence, I know, he added, taking a biscuit. It is Her eyes fell to the floor. nothing. Pray, dont mind me. May I fill your cup? she asked, looking I am afraid I worry too much up. over what has happened and cant be helped. Do you never do that? McCloud, laughing wretchedly, tore Caesar's last leg from his body. "No, indeed. I never worry over what can't he helped. They left the dining room. Marion came down. But they had hardly seated themselves before the living room fire when a messenger arrived with word that McCloud was wanted at the river. His chagrin at being dragged away was so apparent that to what I say: Dont ever quote me more than I ought to. He came along or let It appear that you any more and turned her head. You need fesir than know me. Can you manage nothing for yourself in going with her, that? Really? Very good; you will and nothing for her If you can cover understand why in a minute. The just those two points can you reman that is stirring up all this trouble member? Not to let her go away with with your Cousin Lance and in this him on horseback, and not to leave her where she will be alone with him whole country is your kind and neighbor, Mr. Sinclair. I am in the house? I can and will. I think as much frejudiced against him; let us admit that on the start, and remember it in of Marion as you do. I am proud to estimating what I say. But Sinclair be able to do something for you. How I thought is the man who has turned your cous- little I have known you! ins head, as well as made things In you were everything I didnt want to other ways unpleasant for several of know. It's nothing, he returned, easily, us. Sinclair 1 tell you so you will except that Sinclair has stirred up understand everything, more than your cousin, Mr. McCloud, or Marion your cousin and the ranchers as well Sinclair understand Sinclair is a as the Williams Cache gang, and that r and a murderer. That makes talk about me. I have to do makes you breathe hard, doesnt it? what I can to make this a peaceable but it is so. Sinclair is fairly edu- country to live in.. The railroad wants cated and highly Intelligent, capable decent people here and doesn't want in every way, daring to the limit, and, the other kind, and it falls on me, unin a way, fascinating; It Is no wonder fortunately, to keep the other kind I don't like it, but we can be has a following. But his following moving. The none of us do quite what we please in is divided into two classes: men that know all the secrets, and the making a living. Let me tell you this he turned to fix his eyes seriously men that dont men like Rebstock Believe anything you hear and Du Sang, and men like your cous on hers: of me except that I have ever taken in and a hundred or so sports In Medicine Bend, who see only the glamour human life willingly or save In disof Sinclairs pace. Your cousin symcharge of my duty. But this kind of work makes my own life an uncertainhe when with doesn't Sinclair pathizes actually side with him. All this has ty, as you can see. I do almost literhelped to turn Sinclair's head, and ally carry my life In my hand, for if this is exactly the situation you and my hand is not quicker every time McCloud and I and a lot of others are than a mans eye, I am done for then up against. They don't know all this and there. hut I know it, and now you know it. It is dreadful to think of." Let me tell you something that comes Not exactly that, but It la someclose to home. You have a cowboy thing 1 cant afford to forget. on the ranch named What would become of the lives Karg he is called Flat Nose. Karg was a railroad of the friends you protect if you were man. He is a cattle-thief- , a train-robbe- killed? You say you care for Marion Sina spy. I should a and murderer, Come! Yonder They not tell you this if you were not game clair. I should like to think if anyMarion and Dicksie sympathized with camp say, around by the railroad to the last drop of your blood. But 1 thing should happen to me you I never bridge would be prettier, dont you?" think I know you better than you wouldnt forget her? him and laughed at him. I never will. For answer she touched Jim lightly know yourself, though you never saw worry about what cant be helped, " with her lines and his spring released me until last night. Karg is Sinclair's He smiled. Then I put her In Dicksie murmured. He looked at Marion. Thats a shot her hand very effectively. As she did spy at your ranch, and you must never charge of the man tkvtest to me, feel It or know it; but he is there to George McCloud, and the woman she at me. You dont want 'to go down, so the trail turned, and the camp-fire- , do you? he asked, ironically, looking whipped in the high wind, blazed be- keep your cousins sympathy with Sin thinks the most of in the woridcx-cep- t fore them. her mother. What is this, are clair, and to lure your cousin his way from one to the other. kill George Me they hack? Yonder they come. Jjspering Smith and Lance Dun-Vr- And Karg will try to sets Why, of course. Ill go down, reMc"We found nothing serious, foot on this Mari sitting together as the two Cloud every time he sponded Dicksie, promptly. U up. to remember Smith Dicksie Cloud that. their so ranch, I said, answering questions cold helped last night, guess, , caught She was conscious of her color Then Mr. McCloud ought not to be as he approached with Lance Dunning. will excuse her, I know. I will be es were now unduly bright. here. I dont want him to stay if he "The current is really swinging away, in an hour, Marion, and you can but the hank is caving in where it Whispering Smiths glance is in danger! exclaimed Dicksie your cold while Im gone. He Inst night. i calmly on both McCloud's But I do want him to come here was undermined But you mustnt go alone! pro her own that Dicksie felt as as if it mattered nothing, and I shall stopped before Dicksie. I am trying tested McCloud. Dicksie lifted her chin the least bit. yt.Lv quite through her and knew try to take care cf him. I have a man to get your cousin to go to the house I shall be going with you, shall I not? everything that had happened since among your own men, a cowboy named and go to lied. I am going to stay all night, but there is no necessity Yiokwire, who will be watching Karg And if the messenger has gone back they left the house. Lance was talking to McCloud. and who is just as quick, and Karg, for hfk staying." I shall hav;e to guide you. You Dever Dont abuse the wind, McCloud was not knowing he was watched, would "Damn it, McCloud, it's not right," could find your way alone. it's our best friend be taken unawares. If WIrkwire goes protested Lance, taking off Ilia hat But I can go, interposed Marion, saying, Mr. Dunning. You need It is blowing the wa elsewhere to work some one else will and wijiing his forehead. rising. Where is the trouble?" take his place here. Karg is not on the sleep more than i do. I say he is Not at all; you can not go! an- ter conI can protect both For answer Dunning led McCloud off (he ranch now; he is up north, hunt- the one to go to bed nounced Dicksie. Mr. McCloud and myself. If he should toward the bend, and Dicksie was left ing up some of your steers that were tinued La nee, putting It up to WhisAnd I insist, by the run off last month by his own cronies. pering Smith. arrive down there under the wing of alone with Whispering Smith. He made a seat for her on the wind- Now do you think I am giving you Almighty, that you two take him hack two women he would never hear the to tiie house with you now! last of it. I am mistress here still, I ward side of the big fire. When she confidence? She looked at him steadily. "If I Whispering Smith raised his hand. think; and I shant be leaving heme, had spated herself she looked up in If this is merely a family quariel great contentment to ask if he was can only deserve it all." in the disyou know, to make the trip! McCloud I not going to sit down beside her. The tance she heard the calling of the mi n about who shall go o bed, let us looked at Marion. You two stay up all night never worry over what cant be brown coat, the high black hat, and at the river borne on the wind. The to the big eyes of Whispering Smith had shock of what had been told her. the and let me go to bed." helped though it is dollars cents that those follows dont need already become a part of her mental strangeness of the night and of the Lance, however, was obdurate. "It seems to be a family characterme down there any more than a cat store. She saw that he seemed pre- scene, left her calm. Fear had given needs two tails. And how will you occupied, and sought to draw him out way to responsibility and Dicksie istic of the Dunnings to have their own way, ventured McCloud, after set med to know herself. get back?, he asked, turning to Dick- of his abstraction. I am so glad you and Mr. McCloud You have nothing whatever to do some further dispute. If you will sie. have it so, Mr. Dunning, I will ride hack! returned Dicksie, are getting acquainted with Cousin to deserve it but keep your own counyou may And do you mind sel. But listen a moment loncrer fur stand watch and I will go to But you may, if you like, Lance," she said. loftily. my giving you a confidence, Mr. t his is what I have been leading up the house. help me get my horse up. Marion will get a mesAre you sure you can find your Smith? Lance has been so unreasonlo, he said. Riding hack with McCloud, liicksie able about this matter of the rail- sage a message from Sin- and Whispering Smith discussed the way back? persisted McCloud. Dicksie looked at him in surprise. roads coming up the valley and pow- clair, asking her to come to see him Hood. McCloud disclaimed credit for If before she goes the Improvement In the situation. Find my way back? she echoed, wowing so much with lawyers and at his ranch-housranchers he has been that the current had held against us as it I what I don't he wants back. know I not forgetting could lose can it. softly. ride over any part of this country at about eveiything at home. He is so but she is bis wife. He has treated did yesterday, nothing I could have noon or at midnight, asleep or awake, much older than I am that he ought to her infamously; that is why she will done would have turned it, he said. Honesty is th best policy, el with a saddle or without, with a bridle be the sensible one of the family, dont not live with him and does not speak or withou , with a trail or without. you think so? It frightens me to have of him. But you know how strange a course," observed Whispering Smith. woman is or perhaps you don't ; she I like to see a modest man and you Ive ridden every horse that has ever him losing at cards and drinking. come on the Crawling Stone ranch. I am afraid he will get into some shoot- doesn't always cease to care for a man want to remind him of all this when could ride when I was three years old. ing affair. I don't understand what when she ceases to trust him. I am he sends in his hill, lie suggested has come over him, and I worry about not in Marion's confidence, Miss Dick- speaking to Dicksie in tiie dark. But, Find my way back? The messenger had gone when the it I believe you could influence him sie. She is another mans wife. I lie added, turning to McCloud, admitcannot tell how she feids toward him; ting that you are right, dont take th two rode from the house. The sky if you knew him. I know she has often tried to reclaim What makes you think that? (rouble to advertise your view cf li was heavily overcast, and the wind from him his his She but around here, it mould be only decent ' asked eyes deviltry. Smith, may try Whispering and blew such a gale from the south for that one she reason were fire. on is, the may, again, strategy for us in the valley just novi west that one could hardly hear what Because these men he spends his or another, go to him as he asks. I to take a little of the credit due to lh the other said. McCloud could not have ridden from the house to the time with in town the men who fight could not interfere, if I would. 1 wind. (TO BE CONTINUED ) barn in the utter darkness, but his and shoot so much are afraid of you. have no right to if I could, and I will horse followed Dicksies. She halted Dont laugh at me. I know it is quite not. Now this is what Im trying to Needed to Begin at Home. frequently on the trail for him to true in spite of their talk. I was get tip the courage to ask you. Should Two young women were scheduled to dare with her until to of you afraid go Sinclairs you myself come up with her, and after they had to read papers on the rearing of chilranch if she decides to go to him? Until crossed the alfalfa fields McCloud did dren in connection with a mothers I I don't should dare. But I think it is because Certainly not care whether they ever found the their husbands being left al meeting, all I so am After afraid. know? understand that you or not. things "Its great, Isnt path again home to put the two children to bed. I all d. cow sure After a know I Im not ai why not? naturally it? he exclaimed, coming up to her am Then in case she does go and you They lived in adjoining apartments. after opening a gate in the dark. I could not be afraid of you If I unThe young women attended the derstood things better. And there is go with her, you will know nothing Where are you? read the papers and aftei meeting, will whatever me. She about She puzzles anything, of course, the discussion on the This way, laughed Dicksie. Look Marion. care of infants I don't unless you get the story from her. out for the trail here. Give me your never speak of her husband I fear is that which possibly adjourned to the home of a friend foi Mr. I What know And dont know why why. hand and let your horse have his head. refreshments. When they reached may come of their interview. He may home If he slips, drop off quick on this McCloud is so hard on Mr. Sinclair at 11:30 the two husbands had, to kill her dont be frightened.' seems so kind and try McCloud side. caught her hand. Mr. Sinclair joined forces and were franttcallj will not if lie succeed can you only They rode for a moment in silence, pacing the floor, each carrying a Whispering Smith looked from the make sure he doesnt lead her away shrieking baby. AH 'he horses stepping cautiously. ranch-housor What on horseback f om the eyes. right now, said Dicksie; you may let fire into Dicksies His Efforts Wasted. But McCloud kept his horse up should you say if I gave you a con- get her alone la a room. She has few go. friends. I resiect and honor her beLecturer on Art Before I sit down close and clung to the wdrm hand. fidence? She opened her heart to his search- cause she and I grew up as children I shall be happy to answer any ques The camp is Just around the hill, murmured Dicksie, trying to pull ing gaze. "Would you trust me with together in the same little town in tions that any of you may wish tc Wisconsin. I knew her folks, all of ask. But of course if you would a confidence? Gentleman (in audience) "1 away. He answered without hesitation. them, and I've promised them you have enjoyed the lecture much. sir. ike to ride In holding my hand you "You shall see. Now, I have many know to have a kind of care of her. and have understood it ail except a may! I think I know." few technical terms. Will you please "No, said McCloud, of course not things I cant talk about, you underHe looked even at her tell me what you mean by the words not for worlds! But, Miss Dicksie, stand. But If I had to give you a I need not perspective, fresco, and mickle anje couldnt we ride hack to the house secret this Instant that carried my tone of understanding. and ride around the other way into life, I shouldn't fear to do it so much try to deceive you; your instinct lo? (Lecturer sits down discourcamp? I think the other way into the for trusting you. Only this, too, as would be poor if It did not tell you aged.) Chicago Tribune. good-nature- d train-wrecke- r, e t, e 1 good-nature- e s |
