West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-10-25

dropping Ines OF her figure straight
oned. ever fiber OF her beauty kim
died. size was Ike Glame. pallng the
SUM ght
Aal presently was heard the un-
cou.a music Of sixteen iron shod hoofs
beating harl from tie earth rhythmic
notes. which presently grew hollow
and sonorous as they came rattllng
over the wooden bridge that spanned
The creek
"Chugg" exclaimed Leander. rush.
Ing To the door in a tumult. There
WAS something crucial in the arrival
OF the delayed stage driver. His de-
linquencies had DETECTED the course OF
the travellers, left them stranded in a
remote corner of the wilderness, but
now they should again resume the
thread OF things. Chugg's coming was
an event.
"Tain't Chugg." said Leander.
ITS Peter Hamllton!" exclaimed
Mrs. OAK.
Lands sakes. the New Yorkerr said
the fat lady. Only Judith said nothing
Mr.. Hamilton hold the ribbons of
that battered prairie stage as IL he had
been driving past the Judges bench
at the horse show. Furthermore, he
wore Blue overalls, flannel shirt and
sonbrcro. which sartorial inventory,
while il highly became the slim young
giant. added an extra comedy touch to
his role OF whip. He was az dusty as
n miller; close cropped curly head,
features and clothes were covered with
fine alNali powdering. but he carried
his youth aS banner streaming I'm the
blue. And hc swung from the stage
with the easy flow OF muscle that is the
reward of those who live in the saddle
and make n fine art of throwing the
larlat
They greeted him heartily, all but
Judith, who did not trust herself to
speak to him before the prying eyes
OF Mrs. DaX. and escaped TO the house
CLuggs latest excursion into oblivion
lad resulted in n fall from the box
I.e was not badly hurt and recupera-
ton was largely matter of sleeping
ii OF" concluded Peter HamIlton's bul-
lctn OF the condition OF the stage
driver. So the travellers were still ma
ro3ned at Dax's and the prospect Of
continuing their journey was as vague
ns ever.
Last | heard of you," said Mrs
DaX to Hamilton. with n sort Of stone
age playfuncss. ''you was punching
cows over TO the Bitter Root"
That's true. Mrs. Dax'-he gave
her his most winning smile-"but
could not stay away from you long"
Leander grimaced and rubbed his
hands in mn ecstasy of delight at find
ing man who had the temerIty to
handy words with Mrs. OAK.
'Hum-m-m-phr' she whlnnicd with
equine coquetry. Guess it was rus
tiers brought you back as much as
me-"
Judith, who had entered the room in
time to hear Mrs. Dnx's last remark,
greeted him casually, but her eyes, as
they met his, were full OF questioning
fear. Had he come from the Bitter
Root range 20 hunt down her brother 2
The thought was lntolerable. Yet
when he had bidden her goOdby some
three weeks ago he had told her that
he did not expect 90 return much be-
fore the fall roundup. She had heard
day or two before that hc was again
In the Wind river country. and her
morning vigil beneath the glare of the
desert sun had been for him.
Mrs. Dax regarded them with the
mercilessness of death watch She
remembered the time when Hamilton's
excuses for his frequent presence at
the postotiice had been more voluble
than logical, but now he no longer
came, and Judith. for all her deliber-
ate flow Of spirits. did not quite con-
vince the watchful eyes of Lcander's
lady. The postmistress was trlne too
cheerful
"Mrs. OAK" pleaded Peter boyishly,
I'm perlshing for a cup OF coffee, and
I've got to get back to my outfit be-
fore dark"
"Oh. go on with you." whlnnled the
gOrgon. but she left the room to make
the coffee.
Judiths eyes sought his. "Why don't
you ana I.eander form a coalition FOR
the overthrow o. hc enemyf' His
voice had DROP q tone lower than
In his pnrley with llrs. Dax. It might
have implied special devotion. or It
tribute to beautiful woman IN a
country where women were few the
generic admiration OF all men for all
women, ophemerally specialized 10y
place and circumstance.
But Judith, harassed nt every turn,
heartsIck with anxiety. had antlcl-
pated In Peters coming. n not soiu.
tiOn Of her troubles at least some evi.
doncc OF sustaining sympathy and was
In no mood for resuscltatiug the peren.
nial pleasantrles anent Leandcr and
. lis mastc1ful lady.
The shrilling Of the lOcusts empha.
sized their silence. She spoke TO him
casually Of his change Of plan. but he
turned the subject. and Judith let the
matter drop. She was too simple a. wO
inau TO stOop to oblique measures FOR
the gaining Of her own ends III ne was
here to hunt down her brother II hC
was here TO see the eastern woman al
the WetmOrc ranch wen. "iifo was
Nfe," TO be taken or left Thus spok,
he f0tallsm that was the heritage oi
her Indian blood.
The thought Of Miss Colebrooke al
Weimore's reminded her Of letter fol
feter that had been brought that morn
ing by ono Of the Wetmore cowboys.
forgot-there's letter for you.
she went TO the pigeonholes on Tn,
wall That held the fiotsam and jetsau
or unclaimed mail and brought him
square blue linen envelope distinctly
"A todv'a lpffar