The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-09-05

Passing out OF the stable yard he rec
ognized the Missourian's voice in whis-
pcred conversation with tho proprietor,
but the two men withdrew into the
shadow as he approached.
an ill-deiined uneasiness came over
him; he knew the proprictor-whoa also
seemed 30 know the Mssourian, and
this evident avoidance OF him was sig
niiicant. Perhaps his reputation as n
doubtful unionist had preceded him,
but this would not account for their
cohduct in district so strongly south
ern In sympathy as Fair Plains
More impressed by the occurrence
than lac cared to admit, when at last,
after some delay. he had secured his
horse, and was once more I'm The saddle,
he kept a sharp lookout for his quon-
dam companion.
But here another circumstance add
ed 70 bis suspicious; there was main
road leading 20 Santa Inez, the next
town, and the rancho, and this Clarence
had purposcly taken in order TO watch
the Missouran--b there was a cutoff
directly to the rancho. known only TO
habitucs OF the rancho.
After a few moments rapid riding
ON a mustang much superior to any
in the hotel stables, he was satisfied
hat the stranger must have taken the
cutoff. Putting spurs 10 his horse, he
trusted still 20 prccede him TO the
rancho-if that was his destination.
As he dashed along the familiar
road, by q 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-sweethcart lac was then go-
ing 20 rcjoin-wns 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 dcreliction, but il was through
her revelation that he was now about
10 confront the dcrcliction OF his own
wife.
And this was the reward OF his youth
full trust and loyalty! A bitter laugh
broke from his lips. II was part of HIS
still youthful self-delusion that he be-
lieyed himself wiser and stronger for
IT,
twas 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 carly wild grasses. like "A phantom
island
IL 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 IL was true that he
must take precautions against his own
discovery.
Dismounting near clump OF willows,
he unsaddled and unbridlcd his horse,
and with the cut OF the RATA over IT'S
launches sent 10 flying across the field
in the direction OF band of feeding
mustangs, which IL presently joined
Then keeping well In the shadow Of a
belt OF scrub-onks he skirted the long
lesser terrace OF the casa, intending 70
approach the house by way OF the old
garden and corral.
a drilling rain, occasionally driven
by the wind into long misty curtainlilge
waves. obscured the prospect and IN.
vored his design. He reached the low
adobe wall OF the corral in safety; look
ing over he could detect in spite OF tho
darkness that a number Of the horses
were of alien brands, and even recog.
nized one or two from the Santa Ine7
district.
The vague outlines of buggies and
carryalls flied the long shed beside the
stables. There was company at the
casa-so Far Susy was right
Nevertheless. lingering still by IN,
walls OF the old garden. for the deepen
ing Of night his nervous feverishnes'
wnS again invaded and benumbed by
sulicn memories. There was the open
ing left by the old grille in the wall, be
hind which Mrs. Pcyton stood on The
,norning when he thought he WINS lcav
ing tho ranch foreyer-where he hat