The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-22

fellow, unlike an American, with black
beard and ugly, monkeyish face beneath
the shade of his broad sombrero. He drew
near cautiously.
What do you want?" he asked
Hoping that he was one of his country
men. Sirani spoke to him in Italian.
mo sabe Latin. am Spanish
'Where can buy horsc?" shortly, in
English, demanded Sirani, who did not
like the fellows appearance. "Mine is no
good, and | am a stranger. How much
for this? Thirty dollars Pr pointing to the
stout bay mare he as'riding:
Time was valuable. Sirani pulled out
the bag of gold which he had brought
from the ship and counted out the sum
named, the other dismounting and cycling
him hungrily. 1t struck the Italian that
this mans costume of canvas trousers,
flannel shirt and big hat was more suit
able than the garb Of civilization which he
still wore.
"Ten dollars more for your Clothes" he
said.
The avaricious twinkle of the mans eye
showed that his soul was in the market
for anyone who would choose to buy such
. mortgaged article.
"Bueno, - he grlnned
The change was soon effected. Sirani,
with renewed sensation of strength and
determination, mounted his new purchase.
(which way to Gopher Gulch?" he
asked.
.sUp the road" said the other. "Bad
country up there"
Sirani was away like flash. Clouds of
grasshoppers rose, whirring, from the
dusty road. The features of the country
began to change. Still barren and tree
less. rolling. hills cleft with deep gorges
surrounded him. Here and there lay the
decayipg carcass of a sheep. Jackass
rabbits scurried across the road into the
friendly shelter of rocky canyons.
Sirani kept an anxious watch for the
white house at Gopher Gulch. He felt
sure that he would recognize it by the de-
scription winch had been given him at
Delano. After many hours of hot and
weary travel he saw before him the bourne
of his anxious search.
Shut in between the hills il stood
giaring spot, radiating the intense heat.
There was no sign of human existence
save red wagon outside of the Enclosure
and rooster Growing on the fence.
Fearing he had come too late, that Rat
cliffe had left, Sirani rode up and tied his
horse. He walked on the porch to the
open door. BY table a man sat writing
Ratctifie, feeling the shadow in the
room, looked up, expecting to see the pur-
chaser of the ranch. He was busy drawing
up an inventory of the stock. Not wishing
to be interrupted, he motjoned the un-
known man, whom he took to be de-
spised greaser, TO enter, saying, CURLY:
"Sit down. Pm busy now, but I'll speak
to you in minute.
Sirani mechanically took seat on one
of the rough chairs.
The sunlight streamed in the western
window, on the bare walls and rafters and
scattered rubbish on the floor, broken bot
ties and gunny bags. Above cooking
stove was shelf where clock licked
restlessly. 4 rough bunk stood in n cor
ner covered with a brown blanket. On il
Law. in confusion, a travelling bag, old boots
and a revolver.
dream during which consciousness had
slept, and he had been but an instrument,
a lash, with which the fnries were pursu-
ing their victim. Why was he here?
Could the big. hearty man sitting there
with the sunlight making an aureole OF his
yellow curls ever have committed das-
tarily murder? This man seemed kindly
and genial. He hummed to himself as he
wrote and slipped tumbler of whisky and
water standing beside the inkstand. The
clock licked, and the minute hand moved
on TO the hour of 6.
The moments fell YEARLY on Sirani's
tense strung heart.
Radcliffe threw down his pen and turned.
Was it the same FACET
"Well, my friend" he said, what can |
do for your
Sirani sat without replying, with pale
face and lips, and strange hrilliancy in
his dark eyes. Radcliffe grew angry under
the silent scrutiny.
You must he loco he said, rising to
his feet. What do You mean by sitting
there and staring at me. you fool2"
He was excited and had taken enough
whisky To make him quarrelsome. Sirani
also rose and stood watching him, notion
less and alert. II have seen you before.
Who are you? Curse you. Why don't
you speakg'
The liyid scar stood out on his forehead.
s.Naples-hye years ago. said Sirani,