The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-08-06

ing to do but ride from one cabin to au-
other, keeping strife 50 stirred up that
the true situation Of the matter was
yelled from their understanding.
A league was formed near Hamlet's
claim. and though be had been invited
and even urged to join 1t he took posi-
ton Of neutrality. He had faith that
congress would adjust the trouble salts
factorily, and went on making such rude
improvements a. he was able on his quar-
ter section, content TO await the final de-
cision Of that body.
Nancy Hamlet urged her pony for
ward across the lonely prairie. There
was no moon. but the bright stars which
shone in the dark blue vault above her
enabled her to keep the proper course.
Alone in the deep darkness Of mid
night. out on the prairie, the girls heart
felt o sense Of desolation and awe that
was almost past enduring. Silence
brooded somberly everywhere, broken
occasionally when her pony frightened
up some bird that had been passing the
night In the rank grass.
Gaining the main travelled road lead
ing to Baxter the girl felt revival Of
courage. Speaking more hopefully to
her animal she galloped away, as II
freshly animated for her mission.
It was a thinly settled region she was
passing through, and only q lonely cabin,
where all was silent as the grave, every
two or three miles apart, rose dimly be-
fore her view.
She neared the small town Of Baxter
Springs Just as theeastern horizon toward
the dark woods along Spring river began
to grow crimson with the first flush Of
dawn.
In the outskirts Of the place she was
halted by military guard, who regarded
the girl suspiciously.
A sub-Officer was called. who, on learn
ing the dauntless Nancy's errand, cour-
teously conducted her himself tc the
boarding house where the agent for the
Neutral Lands had rooms.
BE was hastily aroused from his morn.
ing nap, and presently appeared in the
little sitting room where Nancy Hamlet
awaited him.
After she had conflded in him as much
of their trouble with Hines as she cared
to. and told her business In coming at
such an unusually early hour, the agent
said:
well, Miss Hamlet. must say you
have acted bravely in outwitting q vii
lain, and you and your father have my
true sympathy in your troubles. OF
course, as you are aware, your fathers
presence will be necessary to make the
contract valid. But you may leave a
payment on the claim in my hands, for
which will write you out a receipt. and
your father can come in when he Is able
to make the trip. and we'll fix mp his
legal title to the land"
Thanking the agent for his kindness,
and taking the receipt which he made
ont for her, Nancy mounted her pony
and started homeward. her heart in q
wild tumult Of ecstasy over the success
she had achieved in defeating bad man.
The sun was Just peeping above the
hills. furnishing the tree tops with lucid
amber, as she rode out Of Baxter.
There was o warm tint on her oval
cheeks, her hazel eyes had the brightness
Of triumph In them, while the breeze
from the southwest played strange havoc
with the uncon6ned dark locks Of the
brave prairie maiden. She was picture
Of girlish beauty and modest heroism.
She had not left the town more than
two miles behind her when, on entering
q wood lining q stream, she came face
TO face with Dick Hines and hts brutal
faced ally.
Her presence 20 far from home, so
near Baxter, made Hines suspect the
truth at once. His face darkened saw
agely. and fixing her with his hawlrish
eyes. while an ugly imprecation fell
from his lips, he sought to block her
passage.
The road had been washed deep by
hard rains, with high, steep banks on
either side. 90 Nancy had no choice but
to draw her pony aside TO let the men
pass But instead Of going on, Hines
and his companion halted directly before
ner. and with q leer la his face the
leader said:
"Wher yer been 90 airly, galr
eAAnAAAel8N
HinesI'' she replied with spirit
"wot's thet paper yergot In yer handY'
Hines demanded, catching sight Of the
folded receipt which she held as too pre-
cious to let out Of her sight
"Thets my father'a Let me pass"
"NOt 90 fast, gall Yer been ter Baxter
ter the land agent, an thet paper hes
somethIn' ter say erbout wot yer been
doin' thar. I'm goin' ter see thet paper"
be asserted with a loud oath.
mo. yer not" tha girl cried, trying to
force her pony past the villain. But he
grasped her bride rein and restrained
her.
Finley. yer kin take the paper frum
her while hold ther pony" said Hines,
with malignant exultation beaming in
every feature Of his countenance.
Finley rode toward the girls side to do
his leaders bidding. but instantly she
transferred the receipt to her mouth and
shut heDteeth tight together.
Choke ther burned hussyr roared
Hines, and again Finley approached her,
an evil glitter In his green eyes
At that moment there was the hurried
clatter Of hoofs over the stony road Iead-
ing toward the little ford where Nancy
Hamlet had been stopped by the two
scoundrels. and q clear voice that sent
the red blood flowing back into the girls
fear blanched cheeks rang out sharply
on the pure morning air:
Lay one finger on that girl at yer
perilr' and Tom Byers, with flashing
eyes, covered the villains with bis six
shooter.
With muttered curses the baflled