Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-03

Lead the way to the nearest house"
ordered Derron.
Quickly the boy spreng to the path that
led UP hill and down and again up
ward to a house on a knoll. His long legs
soon took him out of his companions view,
and, once sure of this, he Strengthened his
shoulders and shut his mouth. Heaving a
mighty sigh, he felt of his jaw expert
mentally.
Thought it had come unhinged,' he NUT
tered. And as he muttered he smiled a
most Intelligent smile. The boy had sud-
denly become a man, the ''idIot' a person
to be reckoned with duly.
lie took the down grade al run, and
the path up the knoll in leaps. OUTSIDE
the house a girl was struggling with the
wind for possession of a long canvas roll
which she was trying to let down from
under the caves. Her figure was almost
childish but supple. bending and graceful.
a cloud of dark hair parted in the middle
and rolled up from her pink ears, was
knotted at the nape of her neck. Her
arms were bare to above the elbow.
Mike, Mike mountain pixiei" sang the
man as he stole behind her and kissed one
dimpled elbow.
"Dickr
He drew down and fastened the heavy
canvas that protected the porch in storm,
while she regarded him with eyes now
topaz and sparkling with mischief, now OF
sberyllne graveness.
I've just got back from that fools er-
rand they sent me on across the desert,
Mike. If you'll take me in I'll stay here
with a friend tonight. l had some fun
with him on the train. You little elijah,
here he comes! See me through in what
ever l do. Mike. dear"
AS Derron FASTENED up the path the first
heavy drops of rain striking him in the
face, Dick. with slouching shoulders and
hanging jaw, stood gazing sheepiShly at
the most bewitching girl the reporter had
ever seen. She opened the door, and the
storm, bursting in earnest swept them all
into the house In the sitting room blaZed
a great wood fire, and near the fireplace
doZed Mixes grandmother, very old halt
blind and stone deaf. The girl fitted away
to prepare rooms for her guests, and when,
behind Derron's back, she beckoned, Dick
rose, stretched himself awkwardly and
shambed out.
AT O'Clock he was. standing at the back
door and holding the half-willing pixie OF
the mountains by both hands.
IF | succeed will you marry me, Mixer
It's awfully dangerous she evaded.
Wont you even kiss me good-bye?
I've saddled Brown Babe, and | left the
lariat on the saddle. If you see any NAV
eriCks you might lasSo them and turn them
back en- the range"
Mike had pulled her slim brown hands
away and was hooking him from the stairs.
Her father was a cattleman, and in the
old days Dick had been one of his cow
boys. He went to the barn, led out Mike S
trained cow pony and rode softly away.
At the base of the mountain, up which a
steep trail wound. he gave Brown Babe her
head. The wind blew back the heavy cape
thrown over his shoulders. and as he caught
a glimpse of his belt he muttered: II look
some like Boosting journalist myself or a
sheriff. Guess I'd better cover 'em up
The rain pelted steadily down until Dick
had gained the rim of the mesa. when the
clouds lifted a little. He pulled his hat
over his eyes and drew his cape closer to-
gether. Presently, up from tie path on
the other side of the mountain. toiled man
in sombrero and leather chaps" both of
them soiled and very wet His flannel shirt
was belted at the waist with a rattlesnake
skin, and he kept one hand on his revolver.
Dick put his hands over his head; In one
of them 1iuttered paper.
At that the newcomer, a Mexican of evil
face, made a friendly sign and came brisk
ly forward. "Buenos noches amigo" he
greeted.
"Buenos noches," quavered Dick. playing
nervously with Brown Babes bride
Ricardo smiled. You may ride your
horse to the foot of the trail" he said.
There you must leave her. Follow" he
added, in Spanish, and took the path. Dick
followed.
Once Ricardo looked back and asked If