The National tribune., 1903-05-28

scarcely stated her case to him, when in
rushed Sid and Jose. Sid had been drink
ing literally. and the redness and bloated
condition of his face brought out more
clearly his brutal character.
He gave a start of surprise on seeing
Alice seated SO serenely in the office of the
man whom he had come to deceive. But
the liquor increased his natural boldness,
and he began spinning a very plausible
story about .Jose's prior claim to the land
on which Alice Thomas had started her
ranch. He finished his story without any
interruption, then the land official, Mr..
Castle, said:
1--WE have no record of the prior claim
of this man, Jose. But there is a prior
claim to that very land, dating back sew
eral years.
Alice started up with an exclamation of
apprehension. Don't distress yourself,
Miss Thomas" said the official, with n
puzzling smile. "Tbe land is yours, and
has been decided to you by friend only
"Impossible." cried Alice. rising in her
! excitement. 81 have no friends in Arizona
who could afford to be so generous"
pardon me. you have one"
who is it!'' she asked.
"His name 1 am not at liberty to di-
vulge."
"Tell me-" she insisted; "does he who
| is known as Brave Lion own the land
where have made my home"
"He did, until it was decided to you,
this morning."
Il will give it up. I could not accept
it as gift from stranger"
Stranger" There was a peculiar en-
phasis on the word that made Alice look
keenly at Mr.. Castle. What did he mean? ?
He was smiling strangely. Her face be-
came flushed and she was just going to
| say something more, when Sid Likins,
realizing that he was beaten in the daring
game he had started out to play, gave
vent to a string Of oaths, and hurriedly
left the Office. Mr.. Castle excused him
self and fastened after Sid and his ally.
Alice thought he went to speed their
/ locomction down the courthouse stair
way. Left alone, she sank back into a
seat. There was only one course left open
to her. She must give up the land to its
original owner. She could not accept it
as gift from this mysterious stranger,
| who, doubtless felt sorry for her because
she vas a woman, prosecuted and an
noyed by an unprincipled neighbor, and
in a generous mood had decided it in her
name.
mo. no; can't accept it." she cried,
starting up, as from dream.
The door opened suddenly; and "Brave
Lion" entered the office. His hat was
off. and he stood looking into Alice's face
with serious, dark eyes.
| 1.-THE land is yours, Alice" he said. 81
wish you, to have il. Providence guided
you to it."
But Alice Thomas could only clutch the
office desk and stare at the speaker in
white, dumb silence.
II knew you thought me killed by the
Indians" he went on. "and thinking you
did not care for me. l allowed the report
to go uncorrected. But | escaped my red
captors and came to this part of Arizona.
spent most Of my time prospecting
among the mountains, and as the Indians
gave me new name, my old name was
known to a few only. My life in the
mountains taught me to play scout, and
when my old acquaintances from Kansas
cane, L was able to recognize them with
OF: revealing my own identity. Then
saw you with the emigrants. Oh, Alice.
1t was the hardest thing | ever did to
keep from revealing myself to You. But
tie memory Of our bitter parting, and lhe
fear of being sent from you again kept
me silent. l saw you mad n powerful en-
eny in Sid Likins. 1t was swee:er to me
10 stay near you and shield you from that
villains plots than to risk being sent away
again when you learned that your defend
ef WAS Irving Bruce. Then to get ahead
of Likins, whose scheming | discovered by
closely dogsing his steps, | came here and
decided the land to you"
| He folded his arms across his broad
chest and looked at the woman with all
lis great, pent-up love in his handsome
dark eyes.
Alice had regained her self-posscssion
She could not meet his magnetic glance
however, but let her eyes rest upon the
desk before her.
II can't take your land from you, Irv.
ing Bruce, and drive you away homeless
again." she said.
There was little choking In her voice
Irving came a step nearer her.
Il have never improved the land" he
said. 81 want you to have it. Will you ?'
'If-if"- Alice stammered
There were tears in her eyes. He came
to her side. He took her hands. She did
not try to withdraw them.
IF what. Alice" he asked.
IF the owner goes with the land she
answered bravely.
HE goes, heart and hand, A.ice," AND
he scaled the transaction with a kiss.
How mad We get when one begins
To name our faults and jeer them.
We love to overlook our sins,