The Washington times., 1904-12-25

Cayright glanced at the white face
of Nellie. and his tone changed.
How did You hear of it? 1 was just.
about to start Eor Hubbicks-''
II didn't hear of it, answered Gavin.
TOO bad you hadn't gone. 'Twould
have looked better
Looked better? We did the best we
could. had duties here could not
have gone before today
No, s'pose not. Now, young man.
do you know shat you are under ar
rest ?''
Gavin gripped the handle of his re-
volyer, expecting a great outburst of
anger Instead, to his surprise. Cay
right sat down and nodded.
L expected that. That was one rea-
son why 1 wanted to have everything
all right here before 1 went. 1 could
not leave Miss Hubbick unless L knew
she was strong enough to go It alone.
A man who stumbles into a mess of this
kind is usually arrested. But I don't
look forward to much trouble
I suppose not" said Gavin. The wind
was rather knocked out of him by Cay
rights calm acceptance of arrest
You see,' went on Cayright, 1T is
the only thing that you, as sheriff, could
do. ne county holds you responsible.
Now, up to date 1 am the logical GRIM
inal. / cannot marine. neither can
Miss Hubbick, who did this thing But
we are going to find out, and the first
step is to arrest me- Who is judge in
Hubbicks?.'
Gordon said Gavin, almost speech
less.
'.Oh. Miss Hubbick's friend Well. 1
suppose he won't try the case, but the
hearing will be before him He is a
fair man. and will see the right thing
DONE I do not fear. But we've got to
make a beginning. AS 1 understand it.
Hubbick was a close man who made few
friends. If nothing is done at once. the
murderer may find little difficulty in
getting away. But If you arrest me,
assure, you you will do more TO make It
possible TO catch the real murderer than
by any other course"
Gavin crossed one leg over the other,
carressed it, and then reversed them
This was a new experience to him
Steel and lead we're generally needed in
the captures ne made. Here was a
criminal arranging his own arrest like
district attorney.
How" he managed to articulate.
TN tell you. AS you know, I'm with
Armstrong; party, and in charge of a
gang of surveyors. Well, Armstrong is
good friend OF mine. and a man OF
power. Just as soon as | can get word
to him that I am arrested for a murder
did not commit he VIII set all the
machinery of the Territorial law at
work. and that of the Government as
well, TO find who did it. See2 Indi-
vidually, I'm not very important But
Armstrong is. He Is a friend of mine
Gavin chewed the ends of his tobacco
stained mustache. X was not agreeable
to him to know that Armstrong. the
famous engineer, was this mans friend.
Now" continued Cayright, rather
enjoying the mans discontinue, .'if
Miss Hubbick thinks she can stand it to
be alone for a time. we'd better be get
ting on The sooner we start the bal
rolling the sooner the murderer will be
! caught up in the packing. See?"
| Gavin saw-but il was not exactly
| what he wanted to see.
| During this conversation Nellie sat
almost motionless. her eyes resting
tCayright's face
AS the surveyor rose 10 start with
Gavin. she sprang to him and took his
hand in hers
| You are a brave man. she said. 'l
do not like to have you under arrest"
"Oh. that's nothing" rejoined Cay
right, as though he was accustomed Il
being arrested for murder. -'You JUS
keep a stout heart. I'll get out al
right, and well find the miscreant wh,
has deprived you Of your adopted par
ents''
.sAdopted2" exclaimed Gavin
yes" said Nellie Mr. and Mrs
Hubbick were not my own parents NJ
one in Hubbicks knew that excep
Judge Gordon and his family"
But you'll inherit just the same.
said Gavin, the meaner side Of his ma
ture always uppermosr-
Il do not know whether l shall o.
not l have not thought of that. NJ!
only desire is TO hunt down and b-in:
to justice the murderer
..FIl attend to that said Gavin. get
ting on his feet. .Are you ready. Cry
rieht2''
.I said ] was"
| Gavin accompanied his prisoner to tn
barn while he got his horse He assist
ed IN adjusting the saddle.
But never a word did he speak F.
once in his life Gavin was at a los:
The girl stood with hard. dry eye
while these preparations were going OF
She watched them as they mounted
..Tn be back torno-r1-~ Neilie.' sal
Gavin. Don't be afraid, little girl
| Cayright reached down his hand, an
she shook it.
'T cannot say just when I'll be back.
he told her, but I will be I'm nc
going TO desert the cause as soon as
am set free. viii join forces with yo
and your friend the judge. and hunt til
rascaIs down. / don't like to leave yo
alone, though
A hard. dry lump was in Nellie
threat.
.'Good-by," was all She could utter
She watched them as they rode dow
the lane between the Usage oranges, an
then. as they turned toward HubbicK
she gave a cry of such bitter grief thu
1T was as If her womanly heart woul
break.
She staggered. rather than walked.
her own room, and flung herself dow
on her knees by the side of the bed
| Yet this girl, suddenly bereft by
murderer's hand of her only protector
. | left al in That bo1lSa miles ouay frol