The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-11-11

spoke as if her lips were stiffened.
you're plucky little soul" lightly
The mans daredevil recllessness WIS
uppcrmost again. "You know who you
are cntcrtaining?-not an angel IN
awares; I'm Captain Gordon"
''Ycs. | know"
"All right then. Mind one thing:
they are not likely to use you--a woman
roughly. If it comes to that I shall
appear on the scenc.'
I'm not afraid. Don't talk any more,
please" in a tired sort of way.
Then she lighted her room and began
dressing leisurely. The occupation had
its object; sitting still was impossible
while she waited.
But when n sharp rap sounded per
elnptorily through the house, she started
with every nerve. Her voice was steady
enough. however, as she went to the
curtaincd window.
''Who is it?"
Morgan, from over Point"
Captain Morgan. Yes, l know. Il
you viii find your way in I will join
You presently"
She heard the tramp of feet making
their way uncertainty into the lighted
room. Sic did not hasten, every soft
fold of lace about her throat was set
tied carefully to its place, and she went
back to adjust slipping braid of hair
as if the most critical and fastidious of
morning callers awaited her Some
thing of the dramatic instinct must have
been born in her. She stood in the
doorway presently, holding the lamp
far above her head that she might see
her visitors, Il graceful, whitehead
shape, with shining eyes and flushed
cheeks. The men rose involuntarily.
II am Mrs. Morse" she said, quietly.
'AIy brother, Mr.. Tyron, is not at
homc."'
Don't be alarmed" Captain Morgan
said rcassuringly. 1--WE are the vigil
ance committee, searching for the
captain of the horsethicf gang He es-
capped us q few hours ago and came this
way"
She thought of the shooting and hang
ing, while the soft-voiccd vigilante was
making his explanation. She moved
forward and put her lamp down on a
table before she answered.
He visited us some time since" with
half-slnile. You know we lost all our
horses"
II knew you were here alone, and
thought he might take advantage of the
fact. Nobody knows how much infor-
nation he has"
She shook her head
Captain Gordon hasn't frightened
me" she said, calmly. Then she glanced
at the mon. They were all splashed and
travel torn.
could offer you any rcfreshmcnt, y
said, half-timidly, ''for yourself or your
korscs? | have heard my brother speak
of you frequently" with the smile that
years ago Payne Morse had found SO be.
witching.
She looked so frail and slight, so en-.
tirely different from the Southwestern
feminine development that Morgan, a
great, good-natured giant, found him
self abashed AS to his companions,
they stood with their guns in the hollow
of their arms, holding their hats awk-
wardly and uneasily. They were rough
riders and straight shots, but this slen.
der woman upset their nerves.
Were about played out" Morgan
said, "the horses at least. He won't be
! likely to get far tonight" with sig.
fcant glance at the man nearest him,
land we couldn't do much anyhow. II
is going to be blaclSer than pitch. II
| you don't mind our camping on the
place-you don't look much like work,
Mrs. Morse, but I'm not bad hand at
a frying-pan myself"
Certainly, gentlemen" with sweet
est courtesy. "You know the way to
the corncribs, and'-putting out pair
of slender brown hands-'I'm not as
| helpless as look"
So she and Captain Morgan made
coffee, fried bacon and baked biscuit
while the men fed their horses and ar.
ranged sleeping-places for themselves.
Don't that beat any thing you ever
saw in your life in the way of a WON
amp" one of them said after long
reconnaissance through the kitchen
window. And there's Morgan" with
awe in his voice, talking away to her
as clipper rs jay Bird
They rode away in the gray of the
morning. All day long she ministered
to the man who had wrecked her life