Evening star., 1907-08-15
CHAPTER XVII.

Nat-u-ritch stole down from the loft and
crept to where Jim had stood. Uncon-
sciously she repeated the same pictura of
desolation he had made as he stretched out
his arms and strained his eyes to see the
wagon disappear down the ravine, which
the Indian girl could now see far off, like
an ant on a hill. as 1t crawled up the dun
colored mound. Like him. she folded her
arms and stared ahead for long time
even though the binding light blurred and
made the landscape 4 chaotic meeting OF
sky and earth.
But unlike him. no sobs shook her tiny
body: eract and resolute she stood. then
turned and noisalessly came down behind
the weeping man. In wondering pity she
watched him, then crossed to the house ana
entered it. She quickly returned with the
small revolver In her hand; but her soft
shod feet made no sound, and m, uncon-
scious of her presence, still sat with his
head on his knees. AS she caught sight of
the tiny noccasins the child had left lying
on the bench, she wavered a moment but
she only paused to pick them up and press
them against her wildly beating heart She
had but one thouSht-eScape from the pain
that gnawed and tormented her.
Without the boy, and with the look she
feared she must face daily in Jins eyes
sne knew she could not endure life. There
was no rebellion. only acceptance of her
fate, as she crept close behind jim, the
moccasins covering the steel weapon;
Worn out, Jim still remained with heau
bowed a physical stupor of fatigue almost
duIling his sorrow Nat-u-ritch's quick
ear heard the voices of the returning men.
and she darted across to the corral and
disappeared behind the barn. But even
that did not arouse Jim.
Shorty, Andy and Grouchy hurried after
Bill. who was coming back TO look after
jim Shorty grasped Bil's arm wheeled
him about and pointed in the direction the
carriage had taken.
what are they bringing them pack lof,
Eill?' he asked.
Bill swore Il might oath as he saw the
wagon headed for the cabin, with BUD ana
his posse surrounding 1t. He must pre-.
vent a meeting between Jim and Bud II
possible.
Don't say a word" he VIII spered to
the boys as he caught sight of jim. we II
get him into the house.
He came down to Jim and tenderely lald
his hand on his shoulder. Jim, old man,
you haven't had any sleep; go in and rest
awhile
Jim looked up at Bill. who pulled him
to his feet, then started to lead him to-
ward the cabin. He could fight the phys
ical weariness no longer
"Ol., I'll be all right soon, Bill.
Bill, as though humolinS child, SAID:
Sure We've all got to get kind OF USED
to it. Sleeps the thing to put you right
They reached the cabin door. jim DULY
echoed. "Sleep-sure, sleep, Bill" Then
Shorty he called. you and Grouchy
stand outside of that door and don't you
let him out of there until we can get Bud
HARDY away" He meant to hurry and
meet the wagon before it could reach the
yarl, but as he spoke he heard the men
and horses and knew that it was useless.
Andy, who had been watching farther
down the road. ran toward him BIN, ne
called. Bud Hardy's here" As he SPOKE
Bud and his men advanced, followed by
Diana and the child. while Sir John anu
Petric stood close to them.
''Prd - Bill began, in q quick, 10" voice,
Jim ain't in any mood to be trilied with
today WHAT in HI do YOU mean by
oil the place." He blurted out the words
as though fearful of the impulse that drove
him to do bodily harm to the sheriff;
With a sneer Bud answered, L told you
l would hold these people as Witnesses ana
now l want Nat-u-ritch.'
Before Bill could demonstrate, there was
q hoarse cry from the house. lheT nearu
Jim wildly saying. as he rushed TO Bill:
"lVhere is it? Where IS il? It's gone
gone, Who took it? Bill, did You put that
little gun back in the room as l told you!
That I did, boss"
AS Jim stood in the yard he failed to
see Diana o.. the child. He saw only the
great form of the sheriff with his men
around him, and he knew that mischief
vas afoot.
movement to reach Bud, but was restrained
hy Shorty and Grouchy. Then he saw
that the entire party had been taken INTO
custody Before he could expostulate
shot rang out.
WHAT was that!
Bill ran to the barn. Jim followed him,
but was stopped at the door by Bill
..Jim" he cried Its Nat-u-ritch.'
Before either of them could reach the
tiny form they saw Iabywana lean over
and pick up the child-wOman IN his arms
He had found her. but too late.
Diana. holding the child and followed by
Petrie and Sir John. drew back into the
corner of the porch. Bud and his men,
who had lost their prey, skunk away Only
his faithful men stood by Jim as Taby-
wana advanced, carrying in his arms the
dead Nat-u-ritch. From her hands dansied
the tiny baby shoes.
Tabywana held out the lifeless hody 10
her master.
Poor little mother! Poor little mother"
Jim whispered.