Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-14

that answering road.
And now they went forward again.
The scene on the farther side of the
summit was newer than that on fhe
other. but did not rival it, Short cou-
lees had eaten the bluff slopes into
fittings and spilled small rivulets upon
the plain. Yet. barring these and a
lake that sparkled. round sapphire.
on the right. there was superb unifor-
nifty. Not Il stream, not butte. not
even nubbin of rock, varied the
view. And not herd Of cattle. To
the south moved score of yellow ami
mals-antelope. But these and vii
lage of saucy prairie dogs were the
away by imperceptible degrees. As
imperceptibly it melted into mellow
sky.
Dallas and Marylyn We're each intent
| upon Clark's, lying far ahead and to
the left a dun colored line which seem
| ed scarcely to get nearer as the time
went. But after an hour their pa
| thence was rewarded. when the dun
| col0red line resolved itself into two
row street thanked by low shanties of
canvas and board.
Again Dallas and Marylyn were alb
| sorbed, each with q mental conflict.
! The younger got fidgety, then petu-
| liant and began to complain of thirst.
| For once the elder girl showed scant
| sympathy. She was hurriedly plan
ming some new speeches.
| At the southern end Of the camp
| their destination was made plain to
| them by sign reading General Mer.
chandise." 1t was nailed along the
hip of large building that stood mid
way of the street. Looking TO neither
| side, they made straight for it.
| Win the team came to stand be-
fore the store the girls saw to their
surprise that the door was shut. They
| waited. A minute passed. No one
came out. Then Dallas climbed down
and knocked. There was no answer.
She waited again. Finally she tried
the knob. 1t resisted her effort. From
| within came the rattle of chain.
ITS locked She went back to
Marylyn. The two looked at each 9th
er. Over the youngers face swept a
flush of relief But Dallas had forgot
ten her dread of seeing Lounsbury in
a keen disappointment at finding him
gone. She glanced anxiously up and
down the street.
1t was deserted and still. Dallas
climbed back to the seat. Maybe
he's at the fort she said encouraging,
ly. Wen drive home quick. There's
a lot of it downhill." She clucked to
the team.
AT that moment the door of a near
by shanty opened. A man came out
. waving letter. Say, hello.' he
bawled. Don't you want your mail?'
Dallas checked the mules.
81 got letter for you" he went on
1t was Al Braden of Sioux Falls.
Dallas gave Marylyn the reins and
reached for the letter, noting that the
real estate man did not doff the fioppy
, hat or make any swinging bows.
, "A letter.
Yep. from Lounsbury. I told hin
, was going to lope back down to the
, bend-but l didn't" He snickered
where's he gomez" she asked. slit
ting the envelope with shaking hand.
Dunno" answered Braden. He was
, leaning on wheel now, surveying
, Ben and Betty with critical anC
somewhat disdainful eye. for each wa:
hanging upon three legs TO rest
fourth. Presently he glanced up a
Marylyn. and his eye lit impudently
Dunno" he repeated. You're his girl
You ought to know
But Dallas did not hear him. Sh,
, was scanning a page closely write,
and addressed to herself.
"A telegram has come calling III,
, home Iran the letterl. 1t says IN.
mother is tll-'seriously ilr-and / an
afraid it's put that way to hide some
thing worse. 1t is the only thing ina
could take me out of Dakota now. BIZ
,, l am not leaving you unprotected BE
fore l left Brannon | arranged t
have Matthews watched every hour O
: the day and night. And he is the oni
: thing that might make you trouble, 70
If the Indians get nasty know Olive
VIII insist CT bringing you in. Still.
shall worry terribly till | get back.
wish Gould write all l would like tt
r But " would be what | have alread
tol4| you-you will understand"
THUS 1t ended.
II Dallas thrust it into the pocket G
her skirt, took the reins and lifted tn
blacksnake. Ben saw the threatenin
e movement from behind his bridl
:, blinds. He sprang forward. The whe'
u rolled from under Braden's elbow.
II We'll, I'll be d. he growlet
"Ain't YOU going to say ta-ta" II
10 strobe along at the tailboard. smiri in
up at the two in an attempt to l
friendly. Maybe you'd like compan
ie going home" he said. Lonely trip Il
$ girls, specially when they amt got
Is gun" He gave Marylyn a bold wink
Sc Thank YOU replied Dallas shortl
s I'VE don't want company-and v
e. have got gun" She lifted the pist
u from the seat.
-1.s.