The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-22

chores and take care of the animals III
the barns. Nellie's mare was returned
to her stable, and the place began 10
resume its former activity
Gordon made frequent visits, but not
so many as did Thorne.
But with all Thorne's care the i'm
provement in Nellie's condition was so
slow as to be alarming.
Judge Gordon extended his generous
change of feeling to his family, and
Alice was a constant attendant at the
sick girls bedside. Mrs. Gordon rode
out occasionally, and began to believe
she had wronged Nellie by being too
harsh.
So things went for about a week.
Deckton remained practically in pos
session of the ranch. but it was Gordon
whose hands guided the work
The spring plewing was done under
his orders. anu everything went on Just
the same as when Hubbick was alive
Whats the use of all this expense?"
Deckton asked the judge. I'VE want to
sell the place and get out
Very well, replied the judge. You
can sell it TO better advantage if 1t is
properly worked .
Then, one evening, or rather night,
for it was late, and every body in Hub
bicks except the judge and the gamblers
in the Illuminated places in the town
had gone to bed. the judge sat in his
accustomed seat on his porch with no
company but the stars. thinking over
events
THE whole thing, as 1 look back on
it." he was telling himself, begins to
take on more of an air of mystery than
ever. I'd like to know where that
VIZ, - +Iz..f
| Nellie and he had scheme, and she
knew where he went He certainly
knew the way to Big Elk Canyon and
back And that leads up to the query,
did Gavin really kill Cayright at the
| canyon
| The judge had been too busy during
the week to pay much attention to the
/ criminal end of the matter But now
he was getting round to that phase OF
| the question again.
| The mystery of the Hubbick murder
| had seemed cleared up when Gavin re-
ported the death of Cayright. But out
under the stars that spring night ii
was by no means so clear to the judge.
| He was interrupted in his meditations
! by horseman, who entered the oper,
| gate and sat in the saddle examining
| the house
| WHO are you2 What do you WANT
| asked the Judge, rising and stepping out
in the open so the stranger could see
him.
Il want TO see Judge Gordon" was
| the reply. given in a low voice
The voice and manner of the man
indicated a mystery. The Judge went
be raised.
4 am Judge Gordon. What can I dc
| for vou2''
II have come TO tell you that your
presence is requested IN Big Elk Can
yon. and that the matter is to be kept
strictly a secret,
| ..Ehi Oh, Big Elk Canyon. That's
strange Is it anything to do with
The stranger bent down and whispered
something in the judges ear
Heavens, You don't say so. I'll &c
at once
| The Judge went into the house where
his wife was sleeping.
II am called away on law business,
he said to her. I must go at ence-'
But it is midnight. What has hap
pened in Hubbicks?"
Nothing has happened in Hubbicks
| I am going to-to-McCassatt-
| "McCassatt. this hour Of the night2'
Yes, go to sleep It's all right If
anybody asks where am in the morn
ing say 1 am at McCassatt-
The judge went out again. and the
stranger assisted him to saddle his
| horse
| The Judge looked at the man sharply
but. seeing something CLEAN on his
breast-something the judge YVES fami-
t liar with-he smiled and mounted
They kept clear of those parts where
they might meet people They got out
into the open country and gallopec
across the plains, the judge and the
stranger both knowing the direction
well.
They reached the trail along Big Ell
| Creek, and followed that to the divide
at the head Of the canyon The stran
ger then took the lead, lighted Lantern
that had been hidden ready to his hand
and the two horsemen went down int
the black depths of the tree lined ravine
It was bright day when the judge
emerged from the canyon, and his fac'
was set in stern determination
The stranger still accompanied him
and they turned their horses, not to-
ward Hubbicks, but toward McCassatt
The Judge had told the truth Hi
law business was taking him to McCas
satt.
These two men seemed to have con
siderable business among certain people
sn McCassatt, most of which was car
ried on in low voice, aided by nodi
and gestures
There was nothing remarkable abou
the man who accompanied the Judg
save that he carried himself with al
| air of authority, and seemed to know hi
, duty and how to perform it
They rode homeward almost in 81
Ience. Where they crossed the creel
they separated, the judge TO go on to
ward Hubbicks and the stranger to tn
canyon
What will be done next?" asked tn
judge.
Gavin" was the laconic response, a
the stranger spurred away
The face of the Judge wore a mingle'
expression of smiling satisfaction ant
sternness as ne rode up TO the ranch
He saw his daughter at a window
How is Nellie?" he asked.