OCR Text |
Show riuin COUNTY NEWS, JUNfTIOX UTAH wer la disarray of her hair. Thing such awful shape this morning," sh said, with her fingers running around like mice among the hairpins and with her eyes fixed In dire apology on Selwoode eyes. "I know Im a But you'll sight 1" she exclaimed. never know what this poor store looked like I If it looked anything like yon." he ventured, "I shouldn't have touched By FRANK H. SPEARMAN It." WNU Strrica. Copyright by Charlei Scribner John Selwood, gentleman gam-bland manager of a stage lin at Sleepy Cat comes upon a settler whose wagon has mired In a creek. He helps get the outfit clear, after picking up a girl's shoe and being attracted by the supposed owner thereof In (the settler's) wagon. Moses McCracken, a youth, I robbed of $600 In a Sleepy 'Cat gambling den. Selwood forces the swindlers, Bartoe and Atkins, to return the money. Fyler opens a dry goods store, with , Big Haynes' running a mock auction. Selwood learns the girl whose shoe he picked up Is Christie, Fylers daughter. Selwood makes and Christie's acquaintance warns Fyler that Atkins Is a crook. Starbuck, head of the crooked attracted, gamblers, tries to Ingratiate himself with Christie. The girls mind Is poisoned against Selwood. Fyler Is Christie, beaten and robbed. seeking Doctor Carpy, meet Selwood and Informs him that Atkins has thrown her father out of hls store, claiming to own It. Fyler la not badly hurt. Christie tells Selwood of threats made by Starbuck, also that he had asked her to marry him. With hls two companions, Selwood drives Atkins and -Haynes from Fyjera store. er Fy-le- CHAPTER VII rs Continued Selwood, approaching the high shuttered window on the north side of the building, felt carefully all around It The two dogs crouched at Scotts feet. Selwood studied the building a moment Then he turned to his companions. Theyll look for us first at the back door that's the natural way to open this oyster. , Ill smash this Shutter. Bill, you go around to the south side and slam away at the other window. Bust It If you can. but whatever you do, make plenty of noise. When I get through this shutter with an ax. Bob drops the dogs In here, one after the other they wont get both of em. When you hear me yell, Bill, It will mean the dogs are In. Then run to the back door with your ax. Bob, and chop at It. I'll take tl)e sledge and an ax around to the front door, Bill. When you hear the dogs tnside, Join me at the front door and give It the sledge for all thats In you. Now get to your place. Bill when I hear your ax, I start here Keep out of range, best you cun; theres at least one hard shooter In there." A moment later the thud of ax against the hollow shutter on the opposide side of the building would have waked the d"8d, hud there been any In Sleepy Cat proper. Timed at the expected signal, came the crash of Selwoods ax Into the north shutter, A loud shout from within, followed by a shot, greeted the attack; Chloe and Sweetheart, savage with excitement, yelppd and whined. A shotgun discharged from close inside the north shutter waned the besiegers what to expect, and a buckshot glancing from the blade of the ax caught Selwood above the ear. with the dogs. Scott, crouching Jumped as a second bullet stuug hls wrist, and a third brought an angry yelp from the dog Chloe. There was no sign or thought of a retreat. Selwood redoubled his blows one or at most two more charges of buckshot, he believed, were-- , all that were to be feared for a moment, and the sooner they came, the better It would suit him. He sank the ax head again and again Into the thick lock-rai- l of the shutter. Intent on Again a reaching the charge of buckshot hurtled . through the damaged casement and sprinkled the axman. the Indian, and the dogs, but there was no cessation In the ferocious shower of blows. The splintering crash that followed each one told how fast the shutter was giving wnv, and the sound of a fourth report from a shotgun also told Selwood that Pardaloe was under Ore. Throwing all Ids energy into one last swing, Selwood drove the ax completely through the Jamb to pry out the staple. The ax helve, weakened by the Mow, broke. With an oath, Selwood called for the sledge and the next minute what remained of the shutter hung loose. Within, Selwood and Scott heard the shouting of the defenders. The doors, boys! roared Selwood. Iardaloe, yelling like an Indian, was pi j lug hls ax. Selwood tore the shutter from Its hinges, stopped, caught Cl loe In his arms, unsnnpped her leash, and threw her like a shot Into the store. From Scotts arms, Sweetheart flew in after her. In an Instant pandemonium raged Inside. Wild shooting, the snapping of the Infuriated dogs mingled with the cursing of the bewildered defenders, the crash of Scotts ax at the back door, and Pardaloea sledge at the front. Wood and Iron coul 1 not withstand. The positions of the two parties were now reversed; the trouble was all on the Inside. Darkness, the danger of shooting one another In shooting at the dogs and with It all the three men In the store fearing all they could do to keep from Par-daloe- 's hook-fastenin- being torn to pieces. The hickory Meaning Just whom, Starbuck? r that held the front doors asked Selwood, pacifically. splintered before the first blows of Meaning whoevers behind all this Inrdaloes sledge, and the stout front rowing that's going on here lately." doors gave gay. Throwing himself Well, Starbuck," returned Selagainst the weaker one, Selwood wood, with some slight appearance of smashed and shouldered through It fatigue, you know, or ought to know, and fell Into the store. Pardaloe, unthat Im the man that threw Atkins opposed. dashed In from the front and Bartoe Into the street tonight; end, and Selwood, springing from they ought to know it; If they dont, hls momentary shelter, grappled the tell, them so. Of course, I wouldnt form of a man In the darkness. The have done It, If Id known there were two clenched on the floor. friends of yours In the store. If it 'Call off your dogs! came In a hadnt been for me, they would have stentorian voice from somewhere; It been hanging to telegraph poles by sounded like Big Haynes, Selwood, this time thats the fact. And tell them the next thing like that Fyler rolling hls man In a fierce scuffle toward the front, dragged him to the Job they try to pull off, they will be doorway, threw him Into the street, hanging to the poles thats the and ran back to help. plain, straight, every-da- y English of Scott, from outside, had set a It" lighted lantern up in the battered Starbnck had never been faced window opening, and hastening to quite so bluntly. Selwood never had the door with a second lantern, run shown hls hand quite ao carelessly-par- ted In to secure the dogs Just as Selwood with hls caution quite so comreached Pardaloe. He aat astride n pletely. But a woman stood between prostrate defender, hls bony fingers them, and she meant the more to fastened on the mnns windpipe. SelSelwood because, though he cherished wood understood too well what that slight hope of holding her himself, meant. Catching a lantern from the thought of her going to Starbuck Scotts hand, he held It on the mans was hitter enough to make him ready distorted features under Pardaloe's for any manner of fray. hand.1 I,et loose, Bill I Let loose, I Starbuck eyed the gambler Intently. tell you I Youre killing him." SelThen he spoke with composure. Dash It, John," protested Pardawood, youre cutting quite a figure loe, struggling to get away from the here In affairs that you've got no thats what Im business In. Youre playing too many gambler's hands, me alone he tried trying to flo-- le to plug me! Who Is he? Atkins! he exclaimed, as Selwood held the lantern closer to the mans swollen face. Get your knee out of hls chest. Bill," remonstrated Selwood. Cant He cant you see hes slipping? breathe. With many reproaches aimed at Selwood for unwarranted interference, Pardaloe, shaking himself loose, baffled and eyeing Ids prey, stood by till Selwood, bending over the gasping man, saw he was coming to, and started to drag him forward to throw him out. Pardaloe bared hls arms. "Stand away! he exclaimed In a hoarse Stand away, John! You growl. throwd yourn out. L throw mine." lie picked up and carried Atkins forward 'vdJM.St'hvood turned (to m the dogs. These had help Scott Big Haynes Jrrently embarrassed, behind two big boxes In a corner and, held back by Scott, they were tearing to shreds with fiendish delight the blanket Haynes had slept In. Haynes called loudly for quarter, and as Selwood went forward again, Scott, while he held the dogs, advised sr Haynes to husile out the back door. Big Haynes Was Prompt in Hls Reply. The party was over. . games to win all of them do you It was the work of only a few minknow that?" Selwood was too abutes for Selwood to regain his room sorbed li watching Starbucks eyes back of the gambling hall. He slipped to make the slightest response In out of hls rig and began to wash un. words. "Whether you do or not, Within fifteen minutes he was baek Starbuck went on evenly, Youll find at the post he had deft on hour ear- your du-a- l role will wind up i! lier, with the few sitters around him you play It long enough. It wont who had gathered at the last table work in Sleepy Cat. where faro was being dealt that SunStarbuck paid hls enemy one comday night pliment. Without any attempt to Hardly ten minutes later three men back out of the room, he turned and walked straight to the door. There appeared at the open doors of he paused and looked around. place. Starbuck, accompanied Good night. Mr. Selwood, he colled by Atkins and Bartoe, walked Into the hull and stood for a moment out calmly. looking abou. Selwood knew what Its pretty late for that, Mr. Good retorted Selwood. they were there for to see whether he was missing from hls ordinary morning." was really the post. He Impassively pressed breaking. Daylight case spring and kept an untroubled Hold on a minute. he added, walkeye on the layout Ills visitois lining forward to where Starbuck stood gered only a moment, hut It was past at the door. You're giving me some the closing hour, and while the last advice. Ill give you a little. Theres of the players straggled out, Star-buc- k Vigilante talk brewing In Sleepy Cat, came In again. Mr. Starbuck. What have your barn bullies been When the Vigilantes get me." cried Starbuck, up to tonight Selwood? he demandtheyll get you, Mr. Selwood.". ed, without preliminary. Selwood asked what he meant. In that case the cross-arof one Starbuck told of the attack ou the pole will do for both of us. But why store. "Atkius and Bartoe hold a hid wait for the Vigilantes? We can fix of sale for that stock. he declare!. up our differences any time." Some time not any time, Mr, SelIndignantly. "Things have come to wood." a pretty pass In Sleepy Cat when legitSome time for you, Mr. Starbuck," imate owners are to be chewed up by dogs and thrown out Into the smiled Selwood, as Starbuck stalked street. This thing has got to stop, or heavily down the steps; any time youll have to move your headquar- for me." It vvas late that Monday before ters out of this town. Selwood parSelwood appeared. At noon In hls ried with civil answers the questions room at the hotel he was pulling himroughly asked, and met untroubled the threats roughly made, and asked self together for a shave. After lunch he walked down the street In the sunonly an occasional question himself. Have you heard any talk of Vigshine, with a careful eye for enemies, ilantes organizing In Sleepy Cat? he but passed Fylers to see what the asked. I dont know much about It. place looked like, after the change But the little talk I heard here a few of owners. Scott had patched) up the scars. minutes ago about some kind of a fight at Fylers store was that the Tfie front dears showed fewer traces Vigilantes had got after the men who of the rude assnult than Selwood had had robbed Fyler and tried to kill expected. But there was a deathly him. There's no use your talking to quiet about the place. The town knew me about my men; they do ns they that there had been a fight at the Talk to store during the night, but for variplease you know that. them, he suggested, while Starbuck, ous reasons the principals concerned had kept their own counsel. When very angry, continued to blow off. Bartoe says there were half a Selwood approached Fylers, two men dozen or more men In It and theyre stood on the corner talking Big Selin the store yet, he says. Selwood Haynes and Harry Barbr.net. thought Pardaloe and one Indian In wood understood perfectly well thnt possession must be making a good Harry, chief gossip of the Itiver deal of noise, but be said nothing to bore Into quarter, was in Theres going to be a clean-u- p Haynes for all the Information be this town before long," added Star-buc- k could get as to who the pseudo-VIg- l Folks that are lantes had been that his sore and significantly. nuking trouble ought to get ready aching friends eight be posted acfor fcT cordingly. Big Haynes, however, had cross-ba- STORY FROM THE START w Star-buck- n ," Could Christie have blushed more undeeply she probably would; but, something able to do so, she did worse, as far as Selwoods composnre was concerned. She laughed. And It was the happiest c are ftee laugh In the world no fret, no worry, neither regret nor apprehension Just the young, happy laegh of a young, hapSelwood . felt himself py moment shaken with every vibration rudely of her throat but he dung to the lifeline. Hows your father? Oh Christie heaved a big sigh of relief "ever so much better. Oh, I know I shall never be able to say all I want to to thank you how am I ever going to do It?" She looked at him with eyes Bo wide open and so appealingly perplexed that Selwood momentarily wilted. Hls eyes fell. The man who could look at any sort of a hand at poker calmly, or Into the muzzle of a gun without visible hysteria, faltered before Christies eyes. He kept Ms wits Just enough to answer her appeal. Youve done It," he managed to say and continued: I hope youTl have no more trouble. Bob Scott will be sneaking around here for a while at night; Bob doesnt sleep much." He Just saved my life, helping this she hesitated and morning. And twisted her fingers a little as she stood behind th counter. Then, she summoned courage and went on In truth she had much the more courage of the two. And he,' when I spoke of you, he told me you were not here at all last night! And I Just knew that wasnt bo, And he said that Mr. Pardaloe had gone out of town early Son. been uncommunicative and, when Selwood hove In sight, left Bnrbanet unceremoniously and drew Selwood asi le. I want to explain things a little, This John," said the big fellow. sneak he nodded toward Barbanet who, left alone, was walking up the steps Into the store Is up here trying to pump me about who was In the party; he didnt get anything. What I want to 6ay to you is this; I want In no way mixed up In this scheme to rob Fyler. I had some goods of my own In there and stayed with them fellows so as not to get robbed, myself. Ive got no money, John you know thnt Its come easy, go easy. Last night I fired no gun nnd hit no man. Thats all, John. Eight Is right aint It, John? 'N you know the facts. I helped the girl 'n the Indian and McAlpln get Fyler up here early this morning theyll tell you that too they understood the situation. And I want to tell you, tween you n me that man Fyler ain't hurt much, neither." Selwood had no reason to doubt I hold nothing Haynes' story. against you, Haynes, as far as Im concerned. And I dont know rightly what youre talking about. Somebody at the hotel said thered been a fight If any of my men were mixed In It nnd have Injured anybody, theyll have to make It right." Barbanet came down the steps with a satisfied smile on hls face a wise smile, .meant to Ingratiate him with the two men talking on the corner. this morning" He took a wagon train out," exNothing lacking In assurance, he adSelwood. ne did not add that, dressed Selwood. Thats a nice girl plained there was but one way to knowing In there. lie nodded back toward the mule boss ' quiet, he had the store. Selwood only looked at him In keep sent him out. silence, turned hls back abruptly on Where were you last night?" dethe Impudent loafer and walked away, manded Christie, growing In pretty Haynes nodded toward the store. Go slow on what you say about boldness pretty because It was nothing but gratitude and anj body In there to Selwood, Harry." confidence with Just the merest dash How so?" feminine curiosity. Oh, of receptive Theyre friends of hls." Barhanet smiled anew. She thinks you neednt tell me If you dont wunt I know I Selwood Is a mining man. She and to, she added hastily, her old maq were tnlklng nhout him ought not to ask. Her bend hung down about far just now. I asked whether she meant Selwood the gambler. She said no, enough down to reproach herself for she meant the mining man the man hardihood and her eyes looked up that runs the Russell and, Wentworth Just far enough to reach hls ; and just wagotH. She dpnt know .he runs the Innocently enough to shatter hip good place np the hill grinned Barbanet resolutions of every sort. Youve full permission to ask me I guess from the way Mr. Gentleman John walked off just now, he wouldnt any kind of a question in the world," he said. Just remember that I was like her to know hes a gambler." Ive got a better guess than that: here a little while Inst night But when he wants her to know It hell Pardaloe and Scott did the hard work. tell her himself." Wonder how hed like me to tell Somebody certainly did it How her?" can men be so mean as those men He wouldnt like It." were to really steal everything we Wonder how much It would he had?" Christie sighed at the thought worth to him for me not to tell her?" But It was not the sigh that shook was prompt In hls Selwood; It was the appealing confi. Big Ilaynes Not a cent dence of her question to the one man reply, and disinterested. to him not If I guess him right. But she felt sure she could trust; and It before you cross hls trail, Harry, was so satisfying to him to be even send for the buzzards; they're quick for a few moments In that position. workers and they'll make a clean job He stumbled at some effort to anof you." swer or explain her difficulty, but Selwood walked down street quits Christie rode right on. I suppose," unconscious of the corner talk behind she said impulsively, I might aa well him. But he felt cheated out of his ask : How can men be as good as you visit and, feeling that he had a per- and your friends were to risk their fectly good excuse, made occasion to lives to get back what was taken walk around by Fylers an hour later. away from ns when they couldnt This tlihe he found Christie alone have the slightest personal Interest and behind the counter In the front lrf helping father and me?" of the store. Selwood demurred. I wouldnt say ner face lighted when she saw him Just exactly that Men like Pardaloe coming up the steps. She had evidentand Scott and myself dont see a ' ly been at work among the goods and nice young lady like you often was still busy. Her face, already Nonsense! exclaimed Christie, flushed, seemed to deepen In color flushing anew at her success as a Ids disorthe under gaze, and slight nice young lndv. der of her dress matched the pretty (TO BE CONTINUED.) g French Village Girl in Philosophic Mood On our way to the terrace we Instinctively turned back at the door of the studio. Books, books, all over! In between white marble statues looking like pale flowers In a dark forest or nymphs under the dense foliage.' Rodin remarked that the upper portion of the mantelpiece was like the front of a Renaissance on Its palace. There was a frieze and In front of It several gobelin fauteulls. The oak table was covered today with antique 6tatues, torwhite-bodie- d bas-reli- sos. Florentine bronze bells, quills. Renaissance candlesticks, books and Opposite the table Aph-- . manuscripts. rodite, emerging from the dark waves of tr- - curtain, blinded the spectator. I thought you would come down, the old housekeeper mumbled moroseHurry up, Marie. Clean up the ly. terrace. exclaimed Rodin with Stop I Dont touch the feigned Indignation. sacred treasures of kings with your 'Ancient Church Organ Frederick .Miller, an expert on history, says that the oldest pipe organ in America Is In an Episcopal church pt Clyde, N. Y. It was built for Queen Anne of England and presented by her to Trinity church In or-ga- n New York, which eventually passed It along to the congregation In Clyde. It is a genuine antique, with only 110 pipes and no pedals lowly broom. That one which youve already touched must have belonged to (he great Dr!us himself." "Theres no trace left of thnt king, said the maid laughingly. This thing now belongs to us. A dead king ' doesnt count, anyway. This village girljs quoting Shakespeare, said. France, after having sent her away, although It Isnt likely she ever read him. Primitive souls have their own wisdom and they teach us many things." From Rambles ith Anatole France," by Snndor Kemerl. Harbors Lacking in Chile Chile is a land without harbors. Steamers stop in the open sea and boats come alongside. The water is filled with sea lions, and the rowers often have to push them away with their oars. Antofagasta Is a busy town, built upon rock and sand. In order to make a public garden the people hud to Import eurth from other countries, but the small flowering park Is a tribute to the peoples tenacity. The chief means of transportation still Is the enrt to which are bitched horses or oxen. Editions of Bible About 4,000 different editions of the Bible are housed In the British in scum. INSTALL CHAMPIONS NOW . i Once again Champion reminds you that to enjoy, maximum en glne performance dux ing the next twelve months you should install a complete new set of spark plugs now. btw Champtmt b tk tpmrk pint hocautt o it KHwibnl tilUmamt Uooitcu it cm-- ia oim trued on ami tu O mombtit tltctn&u. tal Champion X tot Fool 60 Champion Cii other loan Fold 75 Champion SparJCPlugs ftUSSi Ml Calloussa Quick, safe, sure relief from painful callouses on the feet At oh drug and ihot Kara X)Z Schotts IV ont on th palm It font Zinopacfs Magnetic Checker Man A recently devised checkerboard la of metal and the men are made with a piece of magnetized steel In them so that once placed they remain so nnill moved by hand. There can be no movement The Innovation is especially adapted for nse on shipacct-dent- board and trains. No Lamb He Td face a dragon to win that You wilt Walt till you girl." She meet her dad. Really Sure Relief Bell-Art- s Thousands of Testimonials From Doo-to- r, Nurses and Dentists Say So. . For - f correcting over-aridit- nnd y quickly relieving belching, gas, heartburn, nausea, bilious- e, and other digestive disorders, has been proved of great value for the past thirty years. Not a laxative but a tested Sure Relief for Indigestion. Perfectly harmless and pleasant to take. Send for free samples ness BELL-AN- S to : Bell Adv. & Co., Inc, Orangeburg, N. X. In That Direction They say money talks..' Uh. Theres a lot of people want to hear from me." Explanation Called For Jake Why did Bill get married? Tim I dont know; he keeps right on working. Detroit News. Spring Tints (Copyright war) Q Gaily colored frocks this Spring I rnderthlngs in soft shades to match. Tint them In ordinary water but toith true dyes. Dipping will do It In or dinary cold water but yon must have real dye to get a Bmooth, perfectly even tone. Dlamond dye powder Is fifteen cent at any drug store; so why do half a Job with something not half so effeo-tiveAnd when you want the tint to be permanent. Just dip In boiling wit' ter instead of cold I The druggist has color cards and simple directions for doing perfect dyeing of all sorts of. material; silk or wool; linen, cotton goods; mixed goods, or any goods at all; and exquisite tinting ofl dainty things. Or, send for & marvelous book of suggestions in full colors. Ask for Color Craft! Address DIAMOND DYES, Dept N31, Burlington, Vermont ? Diamond Dyes DlptoTmr-B- oll to DYE |