The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-12-21
BELLE OF THE BAD LANDS.


met Trace at hcr iather's nome IN ION
ravine, and from that moment he had
determined that she should be- his wife.
She Stunned him as she would a SER
pert; she feared him, too, but on more
than one occasion he had succeeded in
forcing his way into her presence, and
finally the Colonel found il necessary 20
interfere.
"You annoy my daughter, Benton, and
don't want you TO cross my threshold
again." said the blunt old man.
Then Benton went down the RIVER,
swearing vengeance against Harry st.
James. "He's the cause OF il ALL he
muttered to himself, "but I'll make him
wish he had never seen the Bad Lands,
on my name is not Val Benton"
On the afternoon OF the day on which
Judge Linch held Court for the purpose
Of trying Harry st. james, but before
that tribunal had assembled, Grace Endi-
colt was looking from her window. down
the ravine, when suddenly thedoor open
ed and the housekceper came in.
"Wha's yo' pa, honey"
"At Medora."
"When'll he he back"
81 don't know. Not before dark, how
ever. Why ?" replied Grace, turning Gu
riously, for IL wasn't like Aunt Violet TO
ask unnecessary questions.
ivy. yo' see, dat ar mo- count Val
Bensing wuz long hyar dis mawning,
an he any he did dat he done lowed ez
how dey's hang Mars st. Jeemes ter-day
fer cattle stealin'."
Grace gave quick cry, and would
have fallen, but for the protecting arms
Of Aunt Violet.
"Oh, no. no! lie did not say that, did
he, Auntie?"
"Yaas, chile; dem was the VERY
words, an tawt ef ole mars wuz hyar,
he'd dune put er spoke in dar wheels.
But dom cry, honey, doan cryl Mars ST.
Jeemes kin take keer o. himse'f-ho kin!"
Grace. stunned at first, now tore her
self loose from the kindly clasp OF the
old woman, and left the room. Hurry
ing on her riding habit, she went
straightway to the stables, saddled and
bridled her best pony, and set off ut ~
mad gallop toward the home OF 81.
James.
On-on-on, while buttes were flyins
by, their vivid colors blending into a
mad whirl OF confused and confus ne
hues
On-on-on, through culches, where
the grasses were sprinkled with summer
flowers, and where the cattle lifted their
great eyes in wonderment as she swept
past!
On-on-on, while the daylight deepen
ed into dusk. until. reaching her destina-
ton at last, she lcnped from her horse,
and stood in the court OF Judge Lynch,
just MS Harry was being led to execu-
ton, led by Benton, who said that he,
OF all men, was entitled TO that particu-
lar pleasure.
"Drop-that-rope"
The voice OF the girl rang out like IA
clarion call.
rop-that-ropew
Benton hesitated, and Grace gave him
a blow with her riding whip that made
the red blood trickle down his face.
lie staggered back with an oath that
made theerimson flag OF shame unfurl
itself on the cheeks OF even his most
hardened companions.
"Now," she said, turning TO Long
John, III you wnnt TO know who has
been stealing your cattle, can tell you
for there he stands pointing ut Benton,
"Father lost several fine animals ut his
hands-caught him in the very act OF
taking Others from our ranch, but
through mistaken clemency, he let him
off, ON promise Of reform"
"But-wherc was Mr.. st. James when
he disappeared from here twice
month";" Intercepted Long John.
"where were you, Harry" aud she
blushed, prettily.
80, / was out visiting my old friend,
Col. Tom Endicott." laughed Harry
while the men stood round sheepishly,
not knowing how Co proceed.
"Wnll," said Long John Tipping OF
the halter. 81 beg your pardon. boss an
now wen tend to the real criminal in
this here business"
But Benton had fled. and has never
been seen in the Bad Lands from that
hour until this.
when the Christmas bells were ringing.
And the Christmas children singing"
in the
Far,
Mystic,
Village OF Medora--vilagc OF fierce,
pathetic history-village deserted to-day
there was wedding In the ono little