The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28

~ "ttf away A4SE -4itI-@CtlSIDHS ANt4lnEs
that had pervaded him, and made him
co.dly realize that he had done nothing 20
solve the difficulties of his relations 10
Susy. He hal lost the one chance OF con-
fiding to Mrs. Peyton--if he had ever
really intended to do SO. 1t was impossi-
bic for him to do II hereafter, without
confession of prolonged deceit
He reached the stables impotentlv,
when his attention was attracted by the
sound of excited voices in the corral.
Looking within he was aStonished to see
that one of the yaqueros was holding the
dragging bride of n blown, dusty and
foam-covered horse, around whom dozen
idlers were gathered. Even beneath the
coating of dust and foam and the half
displaced saddle blanket, Clarence in
stantiy recognized the spirited pinto mus
tang which Peyton had ridden that morn
ing.
whats the matter7" said Clarence
from the gateway.
The men fell apart, glahcing at each
other. One said quickly in Spanish: Say
nothing to him. 1t is an affair of the
house,
But this brought Clarence down like a
bombshell among them, not 10 be over
looked in his equal command of their
tongue and of them. 'Ah, come now
What drunken piggishness is this {?
Speak,"
The padron has --perhaps-thrown
-" stammered the first speaker His
horse arrives-but he does not We go to
inform the Sonora"
mo you don't! Mules and imbeciles I!
Mount every one of you and follow met"
The men hesitated. but only for mo-
ment. Clarence had a fine assortment
of Spanish epithets, explosives and OBJ
jurgations gathered in his rodeo expert
ence at Ell Refugio. and laid them about
IN In IN xf1-
that two or three mules. presumably with
guilty consciences, mistaking their drec-
ton. actually covered against the stock
ade of the corral in fear. In another mo-
ment the vaqueros had hastily mounted
and with Clarence at their head were
dashlng down the road toward Santa
lnez. Here he spread them in open order
IN the grain, on either side of the track,
himself taking the road.
They did not proceed very far. For
when they had reached the gradual slope
which marked the decline the second ter
race, Clarence, obeying an instinct as ire
sistible as 1t was unacCountable, which for
the last few moments had been forcing
itself upon him. ordered halt. The casa
and corral had already sunken in the
pain behind them; it was the spot where
the lasso had been thrown at him a few
evenings before. Bidding the men con-
verge slowly toward the road. he went on
more cautiously with his eyes upon the
track before him. Presently he stopped.
There was a ragged displacement of the
cracked and crumbling soil and the I'M
mistakable scoop of kicking hoofs. AS
he stopped to examine them one of the
men at the right uttered a shout. BY the
same strange instinct Clarence knew thu
Pevton was found
He was indeed lying there among the
wild oats at the right of the road, but with
out trace of life or scarcely human appear
ance. His clothes, where not torn and
shredded away. were partly turned inside
out; his shoulders, neck and head were n
shapeless, indistinguishable mask of dried
earth and rags, ike mummy mapping.
His left boot was gone. His large frame
seemed homeless, and except for the cere-
nents of his mud-stitfened clothing, was
limp and sodden.
Clarence raised his head suddenly from
a quick examination of the body and
looked at the men around him. One of
them was already cantering away. Clar-
ence instantly threw himself on his horse
and. putting spurs to the animal, drew a
revolver from his holster and fired over
the mans head. The rider turned in his
saddle, saw his pursuer and pulled up.
go back!' said Clarence, riding beside
him, "or my next shot won't miss you'll"
II was only going to inform the Sc
q
forced smile.
II will do that" said Clarence. grimiy,
driving him back with him into the wait
ing circle. "And now" he added, in their
own irony-looking around him-"My
brave gentlemen! knights of the bull
and gallant mustang hunters! l want to
inform you that believe that Mr.. Peyton
was murdered. and if the man who killed
him is anywhere this side of hell intend
to find him! Good! You understand
Now lift up the body, you two, by the
shoulders; you two, by the feet. Leave
your horses to follow; / intend that you
four shall carry home your master in your
arms. Now forward to the corral by the
back trail. Disobey me and" he raised
the revolver OminOusly.
If the change wrought in the dead man
before them was weird and terrifying, no
less ominous was the change that during
the last few minutes had come over the
living speaker. For it was no longer the
youthful Clarence who sat there, but a
haggard. prematurely worn, desperate
looking man, iank of check and injected
of eye, whose white teeth glistened under
the black moustache and thin, pale lips
that parted when his restrained breath
now and then escaped them.
AS the procession moved on two men
skunk behind with the horses.
Mother of God-whO is this wolf
whelp" said Manuel.
"Hush!" said mis- companion in q terri
fled whisper. Have you not heard? 1t
Is the son of Hamilton Brant--the assas-
sin-the duellist; he who was fusilladed
in SonoraW He made the sign of the
cross quickly. Jesus Maria! Let them
look out who have cause, The blood Of
the father is in him!'
ITO be Continued)
C1tn 7 n ~ ~; III t.