The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-10-09

but the two men withdrew into the
shadow as he approached.
An ill-defined uneasiness came over
him; he knew heproprietor-who also
seemed TO know the Missourian, and
this evident avoidance of him was sig
nificant. Perhaps his reputation as
doubtful unionist had preceded him,
but this would not account for their
conduct in a district so strongly south
ern in sympathy as Fair Plains.
More impressed by the occurrence
than he cared to admit, when at last,
after some delay, he had secured his
horse, and was once more in the saddle,
he kept a sharp lookout for his quon-
dam companion.
But here another circumstance add
ed to his suspicious; there was main
road leading to Santa IneZ, the next
town, and the rancho. and this Clarence
had purposely taken in order to watch
the Missourian-but there was a cutoff
directly to the rancho, known only to
habitues of the rancho.
After few moments rapid riding
on mustang much superior to any
in the hotel stables, he was satisfied
that the stranger must have taken the
cutoff. Putting spurs to his horse, he
trusted still to precede him to the
rancho-if that was his destination.
AS he dashed along the familiar
road, by strange perversity of fancy,
instead of thinking of his purpose, he
found himself recalling the first time
he had ridden that way in the flush of
his youth and hopefulness.
The girl-sweetheart he was then go
ing to rejoin-was now the wife of an
other; the woman who had been her
guardian was now his own wife. He
had accepted without pang the young
girls dereliction, but it was through
her revelation that he was now about
to confront the dereliction of his own
wife.
And this was the reward of his youth
full trust and loyalty. ~ bitter laugh
broke from his lips. 1t was part of his
still youthful self-delusion that he be-
lieved himself wiser and stronger for
it.
It was quite dark when he reached the
upper field or first terrace of the rancho.
He could see the white walls of the
casa rising dimly out of the green sea
of early wild grasses, like phantom
island
1t was here that the "cut-off' Joined
the main road-now the only one that
led to the casa. He was satisfied that
no one could have preceded him from
Fair Plains; but it was true that he
must take precautions against his own
discovery.
Dismounting near a clump of willows,
he unsaddled and unbridled his horse,
and with the cut of the RATA over it's
launches sent it flying across the field
in the direction of band of feeding
mustangs, which it presently joined.
Then keeping well in the shadow of a
belt of scrub-oaks he skirted the long
lesser terrace of the casa, intending to
approach the house by way of the old
garden and corral.
n drizzling rain, occasionally driven
by the wind into long misty curtainlike
waves, obscured the prospect and IA
vored his design. He reached the low
adobe wall of the corral in safety; look
ing over he could detect in spite of the
darkness that n number of the horses
were of alien brands, and even recog-
nized one or two from the Santa Inez
district.
The vague outlines of buggies and
carryalls filled the long shed beside the
stables. There was company at the
casa-so far Susy was right.
Nevertheless, lingering still by the
walls of the old garden, for the deepen
ing of night, his nervous feverishness
w;Ls again invaded and benumbed by
sullen memories. There was the OPEN
ing left by the old grille in the wall, be-
hind which Mrs. Peyton stood on the
morning when he thought he was leav-
ing the ranch forever-where he had
first clasped her in his arms, and
stayed; a turn of the head, a moments
indeeision, single glance of n languor-
.ons eye, had brought this elimination.
And now he stood again before that
ruined grille, his house and lands, even
mis- name, misused by a mad, scheming
adventures. and himself a creeping
spy of his own dishonor.
He turned with bitter smile again
to the garden. \ few dark Castilian
roses still leaned forward and swayed
in the wind with dripping leaves. 1t
was here that the first morning of his
arrival he had kissed Susy; the -per-
fume and color of her pink skin came
back to him with sudden shock as he
stood there: he caught at the flower,
drew it toward him and inhaled it's
odor in q long breath that left him faint
and leaning against the wall.
Then again he smiled, but this time
more wickedly-in what he believed
his cynicism had sprung up the first
instinct of revenge!
1t was now dark enough for him to
venture across the carriage road and
make his way to the rear of the house
His first characteristic instinct had
been to enter openly at his own front
gate-but the terrible temptation to
overhear and watch the conspiracy I'M
observed-that fascination common to
deceived humanity to witness its own
shame-had grown upon him. He
knew that word or gesture of expla-
nation. apology, appeal, or even terror
from his wife would check his rage
and weaken his purpose.
His perfect knowledge of the house
and the security of it's inmates would
enable him from some obscure landing
or gallery to participate in any secret
conclave they might hold in the patio
the only place suitable for so numerous