Arizona republican., 1898-03-21
(Continued From Yesterday.)
CHAPTER XI.

OhAI Eh Al.
 Mrs. McLane," Merriam was saying at the moment, interrupting the plead ing, weeping woman who was clinging to his arm, "it is useless to talk of it. Had you let me know why you wished to see me, all the pain of this meeting could have been avoided. Every paper had was given to MT. Parry, your law yer, months ago. l know less about the matter, probably. than you do; and now, forgive me, but 1 must go at once."
 Almost forcibly he drew her clasping hands from his arm. and turning sharp " and without another word to the cringing woman, hastened on through the narrow pathway that led between Grafton's cottage and that to the east ward, and presently emerged again into the moonlight at the back of the house. going straight to the captains stable For moment his late companion stood there at the trellis, staring after him in mingled misery and incredulity. She had planned it we'll She had marked his coming just as Grafton had said, had hurried down to the shady aisle be- tween the quarters and halted him I06Ie-dSlOUlSQeu al utI CdIlHS. hC would have walked a dozen miles that night rather than see her at all, but to meet her this way, to feel that he was trapped, made Merriam's blood boil with wrath. His voice, though, was stern and cold as he bade her say why she wished to see him. But her aim was to Getain, to soften, to charm and then to plead, and she had dreadful, dread ful story to tell and none to tell it to but him. Even then she was baked, for Merriam b!untly bade her omit the story, as he knew all he needed to know. and come to the point at once. What could she want of him? Advice-sym- pathy, she cried; and for advice he re- ferred her to her lawyer-for sympathy she must not come to him. She must have some purpose in calling on him what was it? And then it proved to be the packet with certain papers, given him by the young miner in the Mes calero. Ut was turned over to your lawyer long ago." said Randy; and then she burst into tears and said she, was undone, and walled: "Oh, Randy, Ran dy! what can I-what am to do?" And he suggested gravely, courteously, but positively, that she should at once go indoors, while he went on his way.
 His heart was bitter against her as he strode out beyond the fence line and, aft ercarefully inspecting the doors of Graf tons stable. he closed and locked the gate. He wished now more than ever to hurry on westward and enter his own little home and surprise Florence. With grateful eyes he lad noted the parlor lights and interpreted them as Indicating that she must be well over the unreasoning stage of this her first, and, he prayed God. her last. jealous trouble. He turned toward his own gate, intending only to glance at the other stables on the way and give the sentry additional orders; but when he got so far toward the western end of the TOW as to enable him to distir guish any object. as big as man he found to his veXation that there was no sentry there at all, and that lie must retrace his steps and look for him toward the other end. l. was a backward tramp of over 300 yards, and he was irritated enoug!a to feel like scoring the sentry when finally he came upon him.
 You shouldn't be here, sir,' he be- gar, after the customary challenge and reply. Where you are most needed is along toward the other end. where there are private horses in fimsy stables"
 ''lknow, sir" said the soldier, prompt ly, but there's something amiss out there on the road toward town. heard a scuflie and cries for help, and then ( running down into the creek bottom The corPora"s gone out to see. IF. afraid there's been blood split, sir.''
 And even as they stood and listened. the still night air was split by the loud report of carbine, echoed back from the opposite wall of the shallow, nar~ TOW canyon. IL was followed almost instantly by cry for aid.
 ''Come right along" shouted Merriam to the sentry. and he sprang away in the direction of the alarm. "Never mind your post!"
 A run of nearly 400 yards, crossing diagonaily the Junction road as they ran, brought the lieutenant to the edge of the chasm, at point where one could see some distance down the stream, the sentry ranting several roct behind. The moonlight was faint, bu: still sufficient to enable him to make out the form of man apparently crawl ing on hands and knees up the bank. while another lay motion.ess close to the waters edge. Over this latter Corp oral Mahoneyw bending, imploring in grief-stricken tones. Randy went bounding down the abrupt slope, sure footed as goat.
 What's the matter. corporal? What is it?"
 "Brady, sir-stabbed to death, I'm 'fraid. There was three of 'em oI him. and more at poor COrcoran yonder- MeXicans all of 'em, and they lit ou' straight for that monte shack across the mesa. Their horses are there, ] I .l ID Dlz for