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Show Those are Gordons initials; it is! the signature over which he tele graphs me. You see, this was sent last night long after Illake left. He will take mv life on it. is safe; Dicksie sank hack while McCloud (1 Mi 1 the IranuFI.Spearman. ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDRE BOWLES c OPY? CAT BY CMS SCKSMRS Oh, me.-s.ts- isnt that a relief? she exclaimed. "But how can it be? I cant understand it at all; but he is sab, isnt he? I was heartbroken when I heard he was killed. Marlon ought to know of this, she said, rising. "I am going to tell her." "And may I come ccer after I luR Rooney Lee to repeat this to head-quariers- ? (5 OHS "Why, of course, if you want to. res cited the cottage vwe SYNOPSIS. store consciousness were unavailing. put his hand on Du Sangs hand. "Tell have placed five shots within the com- Dicks'e met him. ".Katie Dancings He turned to where two of the cow- me where you are hit, Du Sang. Put pass of a silver dollar. Firing fur mother is sick, and she has gone ray Sinclair and his gang of wreck-?r- e boys had dragged Karg to the ground your hand to it. Is it the stomach? Whispering Smiths heart, he had, de- home. Boor Marion Is all alone this called out to clear the railroad the fearful shock, put four ha! and half dcau with a sick at Smoky Creek. McCloud, a and three others had their old com- Let me turn you on your side. Easy. spite morning, rifle-bad road superintendent, caught panion Seagrue in hand. While two Does your belt hurt? Just a minute, lets through his coat before the headache. said Dicksie. "But I told his men in the act of looting held from the grouud, tearing at right huge revolvers within six inches now; I can loosen that. her, and she said she shouldnt miud .recked train. Sinclair pleaded I know you, muttered Du Sang, angles across the path of the first but-let- , the headache uow at all. It only amounted to a of his head, a third was adjusting a declaring had cut down his life to a question sum a treat for the men. McCloud rope-knThen his eyes terrible, under his ear. thickly. But what are you going to u 7" lrged the whole outfit and ordered of hours. he and inter. became became Smith brightened McCloud burned. "1 am going to get dinner; do you eyes rolling, pink Whispering reokage .inted with Dicksie Dunning, a girl ested. Bill Dancing, who had been hit in want to Oh! Mr. McCloud, Have You Heard Hold on! said he, mildly, swore violently. help? ,ie west, who came to look at the the head and stunned, had been not are bleeding Du the Terrible New? is what are loose? What told you Gordon Sang, Smith going you to Im "Whispering help. going lent Bucks of the railroad, of Mc-f- s to do? much, but Im afraid you are badly moved back to the cabin at Mission Oh, you are? That would be very shock like brave fight against a gang of that, it really is your pin?" Were going to hang these fellows, hurt, said Whispering Smith. "Is there Springs, and lay in the little bedroom. funny. miners and that was the reasonto I know whose pin It is!" don't Oh, A doctor at Oroville had been sent he superintendents appointment answered Stormy, with a volley of anything I can do for you? Funny or not, Im going to help." k,l'fflce. McCloud arranged board at Is the matter?" what but come. had not water. Why, some for, me At Get midnight You would only be in the way. imprecations. oarding house of Mrs. Sinclair, thes Give me the pin! She put her Oman's deserted wife. Dicksie A creek flowed at no great distance of the second day. Smith, who was beon no! them I should horses Just Oh, whether You put know dont the daughter of the late Rieh- under re- side his bed, saw him rouse up, and her hat. hands under the but the below up cowboys unsteadily hill, or guard. not. broken a had died of Junnlng, who : Here, for heavens sake, If you must fused to go for water. Whispering noted the brightness of his eyes as he what were going to do, Thats I know I should do much better it shortly after liisone wife's ofdemise, maroccurred after year he declared, you would go back and rim the rail- have something, take this comb! She Bill, exclaimed the foreman. y Only were Smith would have gone with Seagrue looked around. life. Smoky Creek bridge was burned. President Bucks notl- - going to run em over to those cotton- and Karg, but Du Sang begged him hopefully, as he sat beside the bed, road a few minutes. slipped from her head the shell that A r; 'Smith that he had work ahead. alone lest Gorman you are better, hang it! I know you The railroad be hanged. I am for held her knotted hair. He caught her , train was wrecked by an open woods and drive the horses out from not to leave him hand and kissed it, and she could not should kill him. Smith canvassed the are. How do you feel? Jt. I.ater a passenger train was held under em. Stand still, you dinner. on Id the express car robbed. Two men cow thief! Til moment a you Aint get it away. situation he the here blamed doctor put that I for Hut cried, dinner will slipping yet? you. get posse pursuing the bandits were and Then give me my boots. Im going said he at length, "You are dear," murmured Dicksie, d. "Whispering Smith" approached noose up tight on George Seagrues my horse, You need not. I can get It for my4nir. He tried to buy him off, but neck. creek. I to to Medicine Bend to Doc Torpy." self. the back "if down take you you are silly. The reason life his ailifd. He warned McCloud that He turned to the cowboys and asked In the morning Whispering Smith, See here," returned Whispering was In danger. McCloud was carried You are perfectly absurd, and If wouldnt let you ride home with me is forcibly into Lance Dunnings presence. Smith, showing some annoyance, "you them to help, but they refused to who had cleansed and dressed the we stand here disputing, Marlon wont because I was afraid you might get Dunping refused the railroad a Dicksie shot. How do you suppose I should wound and felt sure the bullet had not have anything to eat. he had already signed for. may be joking, but I am not. Either touch Du Sang. interfered to prevent a shooting affray.to do as I tell you or release those men. Smith kept his patience. penetrated the skull, offered no objecWhispering the kitchen went into disput- feel if you were killed? Or, dont you They Dicksie met McCloud on a lonely trail Karg, take that horses head, said tion to the proposal beyond caution- ing about what should be cooked. At think I have any feeling? Well, I guess we are not joking him his life was In danger. On his tsIlNfinme a shot passed through his hat. very much. You heard me, didnt he. Come here, Seagrue; help me ing him to ride slowly. Is it all right? You can go the end of an hour they had two fires Hut, dden rise of the Crawling Stone Du We lift demanded and Sang on the horse. The boys down part way with the prisoners, going one In the stove and one in Dicksie I know? angrily. Stormy, you? How What do you consternation. do to McCloud for help. Whis-- g are going to string these damned crit- seem to be afraid of getting blood on Bill, It had time Smith. cheeks. I that Dieksies will not ride home mean? Hy let suggested Whispering you McCloud Smith Joined the group. ters up right here in the draw on the their hands. Brill Young is going to take them been decided to have a luncheon in- with me, and you will not let me rid his men to fight the river. Lance Mc-SeaWith Whispering Smith and to Oroville, and you can act as chair- stead of a dinner. Dicksie attempted home alone. Tie Jim again. I am first tree. bing welcomed inthem cordially. succeeded halting the flood. 1 sie and Marion visited Sinclair at his some soup, and McCloud found a strip going to stay with Marion all night. Whispering Smith drew a pocket- - grue supporting Du Sanfln the saddle man of the guard. o. He tried to persuade his deserted Before the party started, Smith of bacon, and after he had cooked it, to return to him. She refused. He called Seagrue to him. sed Whispering Smith of having pinned George, you Dicksie, with her riding-skir- t CHAPTER XXX. n her love from him. A train was saved Do once. life remember up and her sleeves delightfully rolled . my you . up and robbed, the bandits eseap-in the Pan Handle? Well, I gave back, becan frying eggs. When Marlon, Smith and McCloud started in pur-The Laugh of a Woman. Raegs ranch Du Sang killed old you yours twice in the Cache day be- unable longer to withstand the excitehis Smith befriended an hour, Marlon, working Within Whispering $s. fore yesterday. I dont know how ment, appeared, the engineer, flushed over a son. They came to Williams year-ol- d hat in the trimming room, was e. Smith was certain the bandits was toast. with If are making endeavor, into this thing. badly you you to hear the cottage door open Rebstock, there. He importuned The three sat down at table togeth- startled of the cache, to give up Du Sang. kept clear of the killing at Tower W see to and Dicksie quie unconcernedly he took refused. Smith declared I will do what I can for you. Dont er. They found they had forgotten d clean out the whole gang, walk in. To Marion's exclamation ot not allowed was but Marion the to coffee, talk Smith came upon the anybody. "1 r!ts. Du Sang among them. to move from her chair. When the surprise she returned only a laugh. I am have dear. my mind, changed coffee was made ready the bacon had CHAPTER XXIX. to stay all night. CHAPTER XXVII Continued. been eaten and more had to be fried. going Marlon kissed her approvingly. fable of for any part McCloud proved McCloud and Dicksie. was not the first time the Wil the program, and when they rose it Really, you are getting so sensible I News of the fight in Williams Cache was as Cache gang had sworn to get four o'clock and too late, Mc- shan't know you, Dicksie. In fact, I i and had worked reached Medicine Bend in the night. Cloud declared, to go back to the of- believe this is the most sensible thing together to do It, for the first time It looked as if Horsemen, filling in the gaps between fice that afternoon. you were ever guilty of. telephones leading to the north counGlad you think so, returned Dickmight do it. A single chance was ata Marion and Dicksie, after tihie, to Whispering Smith for his life, certry, made the circuit complete, but the to get rid of him, but sie, dryly, unpinning her hat; jointly tempted accounts, confused and colored in the It Is. Mr. McCloud pert with his coat slashed with bullets, tainly hope could so the found not, they they look it. For an instant his life repeating, came in a cloud of con- three talked about Whispering Smith. suaded me It wasnt right for me to flicting rumors. In the streets, little When the women tried to g on the success of a trick so ap-- discourage ride home alone, and I knew betler groups of men discussed the frag- McCloud by talking hats he played the than he what danger there was for llngly awkward that a clever man t ;ht have failed in turning it. If his mentary reports as they came from wheezy piano, and when Dicksie spoke him in riding home with me so here e should play free in the scabbard the railroad offices. Toward morning, about over for supper, going home he declared he I am. He is coming he reached for it, he could fall to Sleepy Cat, nearer the scene of the would ride home with her. Hut Dick- too, in a few minutes. 'ground, releasing it as he plunged fight, began sending in telegraphic re- sie had no mind that he should, and When McCloud arrived he brought 'n the saddle, and make a fight on ports in which truth and rumor were when he asked to know why, without with him a porterhouse steak, and feet. If the rifle failed to release strangely mixed. McCloud waited at realizing what a flush lingered In his Marion was again driven from the was a dead man. To so narrow an the wires all night, hoping for trustface, she said only, no; if she had kitchen. At the end of an hour, Dick." ,ie are the cleverest combinations worthy advices as to the result, but re- reasons she would give none. McCloud sie, engrossed over the broiler, was etimes brought by chance. He ceived none. Even during the mornpersisted, because under the flush putting the finishing touches to tha yped his empty revolver, ducked ing nothing came, and the silence about his was the resolve that he steak, and McCloud, more engrossed, on his horses neck, a mud-heseemed more ominous than the bad would takeeyjs one long ride that evening, was watching her, when a diffident ,w back his leg, and, with all the news of the early night. Routine busi- in He had made up his and surprlsed looking person appeared event. any cision he could summon, caught ness was almost suspended and Mc- mind for that ride a longer one than in the kitchen doorway and put his Cloud and Rooney Lee kept the wires grip of his muley in both hands, ever taken before, or expected hand undecidedly on the casing. While he had warm with inquiries. made his fall heavily to the ever to take again and would not be he stood, Dicksie turned abruptly to und, landing qn his shoulder. But McCloud. At the noon hour McCloud was sign- balked. lie keeled from the saddle the last Dicksie Dunning ing letters when Oh, by the way, I have forgotten Dicksie, insisting upon going home, tg that rolled over the saddle, like walked hurriedly up the hall and hesi- went so far as to have her horse something! Will you do me a favor? 9 flash of a porpoise fin, was the barrel tated in the passageway before the brought from the stable. To her surCertainly! Do you want money or 'he rifle, secure in hi3 hands. Karg open door of his office. He gave an prise, a horse for McCloud came over a pass? horseback, was already bending exclamation as he pushed back his with it. Quiet to the verge of solemNo, not money, said Dicksie, liftr him, revolver in hand, but the chair. She was in her riding suit just nity, but with McCloud following, ing the steak on her fork, though was never fired. A bullet as she had slipped from her saddle. Dicksie walked with admirable firmyou might give me a pass. u the ground knocked the gun into "Oh, Mr. McCloud, have you heard the ness out of the shop to the curb. McHut I should hate to have you go air and tore every knuckle from awful news? Whispering Smith was Cloud gave her rein to her, and with anywhere away Du hand. in Sang spurred gs killed yesterday in Williams Cache by a smile stood waiting to help her I dont want to go anywhere, but I like an ax l the right. A rifle-sluDu Sang. mount. never had a pass, and I think it would ..he root caught him through the . I hope McCloud stiffened a little. She was drawing on her second be kind of nice to have one just to idle. His fingers stiffened. His that cant be true. We have had glove. You are not going with me. hooter fell to the ground and he keep. Dont you? nothing here but rumors; perhaps it i3 Youll let me ride the same road, Why, yes; you might put it In tha ched his side. Seagrue, ducking these that you have heard. I if cant even wont you keep up? bank and have It drawing Interest." r, put spurs to his horse, and Whis-n- g to the Ground. His Revolver Dropped It Dicksie looked at his mount. No, no! Blake, one of our men, This steak Is Do they give interSmith, covered with dust, rose was in the fight and got back at the would be difficult to keep up, with that on passes?" est the battlefield alone, knife and walked to Flat Nose, slit the and Karg leading the horse, the cavalrevolvers and coats lay about rope around his neck, pushed him out cade moved slowly down to the creek, Iranch at nine oclock this morning. horse. Well, a good deal of interest is felt lats, heard the story myself, and I rode ' Would you ride away from me just in them on this division at least Face downward, the huge bulk of the circle, and stood in front of him. where a tiny stream i. purled among right in to to see Marion, and my because you have a better horse? What is the favor? iill Dancing was stretched motion-You cant play horse with my pris- the rocks. The water revived the in courage failed me I came here first. No, not just because I have a betin the road. Karg, crouching be oners, he said, curtly. "Yes, what is it? How can I think? Get over jured man for a moment; he had even Does she know, do you think? Blake ter horse. I know! If they dont put Jim in side his fallen horse, held up the here, Karg. Come, now, who is going Oh, enough, with some help, to saw him fall from the saddle after he looked steadily at her without a box stall strength He he will kill some of of his Du and gun hand, 'loody stump to walk in first? You act like a school- ride again; and, moving in the same was shot, and everybody ran away, speaking. over there. Will you telehorses the 50 yards away, reeling like Gorman. s boy, and Du Sang and two other men were halting order, they took him to Why must you ride home with me stables? drunken man in his saddle, spurred Hard words and a wrangle followed, cabin. Rebstock, at the door, firing at him as he lay on the ground. when I don't want you to? she asked, phone the BE CONTINUED.) (TO an in aimless horse circle. Whis ip but Smith did not change expression, refused to let the sinking man be He could not possibly have escaped reproachfully. Fear had come upon tng Smith, running softly to the and there was a back-dowHave you brought into the house. He cursed with his life, Blake said; he must her and she did not know what she Kettledrum a Perfect Instrument. 3 , of his own trembling animal, fellows let Dii The kettledrum, Mr. Gabriel death-e- r get away while Du Sang as the cause of all the trou- have been riddled with bullets. Isnt was saying. She saw only the expresSang ew himself into the saddle, and, ad asked. were he here? fool ble. But Du cursed with him contended, was perfectly compeyou playing it terrible? She sobbed suddenly, and sion of his eye3 and looked away, but Sang .ing his rifle sights as the beast Du Sangs over the hill there on his usury, and, while Whispering Smith McCloud, stunned at her words, led she knew that his eyes followed her. tent to produce atmosphere as well ' pged down the draw, gave chase to horse, and full of fight yet, exclaimed listened, told Rebstock with bitter her to his chair and bent over her. The sun had s"t. The deserted street as rhythm. Even to tune the instruigrue. oaths that if he had given the boy one. t of a moun- ment three things were required a If his death means this to lay In the white of we him a but suglook will scrub horse Then up, the Barney and anything tain evening, days radiance perfect musical ear, a fine sense Aftthink of what it means to me! CHAPTER XXVIII. five and touch experience. years never would have Smith. been trailed. In In Come, Seagrue. the sky. lower tones they gested A flood of bore them to- was dying Dont go over there. Hell get you More than this concerning the affair gether. The sympathy f he spoke again, and she turned deadly er playing over a kettledrum melody The Death of Du Sang. one moment was hardly written 80 years ago from Meyerbeer's Du Sang would not say, and never for interruption, but the dispatchers white. Whispering Smith, with his horse in if you do, cried Gorman. Mr. Cleather conle said. The from the so turned to procession long Ive wanted Let us see about that. Seagrue, say this, Robert I Diable, to door opened and Rooney Lee halted, tther, rode slowly back 20 minutes venture s say that outside door. wav led the to I might, as well he dead tinued: that Seagrue duck walk ahead. Dont and Dicksie, KarS ahead of Yu thunderstruck, on the threshold. jr, with Seagrue disarmed of the musical profession not one perand Du laitr to back it to as on. stable, Go they Sang any longer. keep try . was or run either of you. The deserted battle-grounDlcksies hand disappeared in her Thats why I want to ride home with son In a hundred of those who listen men. Stormy Gorman, hot Just over the brow of the hill near on- some hay. handkerchief. McCloud had been in knows that timAfterward they got a cot under him. if you are going to let me." He to an orchestra blood, had come back, captured which the fight had taken place, a wrecks before, and gathered himself you have notes and can give out a pani With her a to head. stroke horses turned he talked surprising vitality g, and begun swearing all over man lay below a ledge of granite. The What Is it, No instrument, he added, time to Whispering Smith, but together unmoved. Dicksie stood seemingly helpless. Mc- melody. Jp, and Smith listened with ami-- horse from which he had fallen was long bad a greater range of power than the Rooney?" Into waistfell his at a his into last Cloud nine At finger slipped stupor. had man surprise while he explained that grazing close by, but the for none could be played The very calmness of the two at coat he sat up. Ed Banks pocket and held something out in kettledrum, ing Dancing killed, and not being dragged himself out of the blinding oclock that night none had greater penand more the table disconcerted the softly dispatcher. This shell pin fell from his hand. e to tell from Whispering Smith s sun to the shade of the sagebrush and Kennedy were standing beside the He held the in his hand and your hair that night you were at camp etrating power. message Du cot. became and Sang delirious, euliar tactics which side he was above the rock the trail of it all lay shuffled his feet. Give me your dis- by the bridge do you remember? I Affinity Defined. toting at, Gorman and his compan-srha- very plain on the hard ground. Watch- in his delirium called the name of said McCloud, patch, Impatiently. it to back. bear couldnt give at but Smith wa3 Smith; Whispering for with his him A man who has a penchant f narrowly, Smith, gone help. While they ing hollow Quite unable to take his cabin with Bill Dancing. In Let phrase making and whose wife has a Dicksies eyes opened wide. nly surrounded Karg and Seagrue, prisoners ahead and the cowboys Baggs eyes off Dicksie, poor Rooney ad- me see it. I dont think that is mine. vivid Imagination got into difficulties inith slipped from his horse where riding in a circle behind, approached. a spasm of pain, Du Sang, opening his vanced, handed the telegram to Mcthrew back. Great heaven! Have I been cairv-in- the other day. The lady was reading himself eyes, suddenly Du Sang? Dancing lay, lifted the huge head and beat an awkward retreat. Marion Sinclair's pin for a an account of the latest divorce and The man in the sagebrush turned The cot broke, and the dying man Cloud, m the dust, and tried to turn the McCloud devoured the words of the month?" exclaimed McCloud. rolled under the feet of the frightened Well, I chanced to run across the affinity mt over. A groan greeted the at- - his head. a glance. at message in In horses. the of time wont lose it to bromide. Such a senseless the lanterns light any and word! to him walked returning bent Smith lipt' Ah! he cried, this is from Gor- her, at any rate. she exclaimed; then, turning to her Are you suffering much, Du they lifted him back, but he was bleed4fllill, open your eyes! Why would down. don himself, sent from Sleepy Cat. ing slowly at the mouth, quite dead. Where are you going? What is an affinity, anyDicksie's husband, mot do as I wanted you to? he Sang? He must be safe and unhurt! Listen: voice was faint. Oh, accommodatwo The with how? Affinity The wounded man, sinking surgeon, afterward, found t'xrured bitterly to himself. A Three o' the Tower W men trailed into "Im going to give Marion her pin. tion train, he defined with conscious answered him. Smith shock and internal hemorrhage, ut- fatal wounds upon him. The first shot, Williams Cache. In resisting arrest this Do nothing of the sort! Come aptness. And ever since hes been filed for water, and from a canteen tered a string of oaths. passing through the stomach, ex- morning, Du Sang was wounded and is Give it to me. Du a had failure he to kill at inched the pallid forehead, talking Smith listened quietly till using all his cleverness In the effort plained Sangs Two prisoners, Karg and here! dying to explain how he knew. dare tell a after in and S. G. you him he could distance he me, knelt then beside Dicksie, which, Seagrue. to uninjured, efforts re his but done; ftly meanwhile; oj ll Sm-an- in-c- e, . hair-raisin- g Dun-wa- mys-Jttsl- tow-heade- d right-of-w- Du-kv- 'e , fl k. . n 30-3- 0 g .n, Reb-stock- half-ligh- Reb-stock- j to-da- y 1 d g sec-groa- n |
