The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-07

u IS Matthews ceased his threat
la enfng and strobe on a new
fear came over Dallas. She
1913 leaned toward Lounsbury
from the window. What does he
mean by fixing your" she asked
hoarsely.
The storekeeper was still watching
riverward, and he answered without
turning his head. He means it's a
case of shoot on sight" he said.
Then you mustn't go near him-you
must go back to Clnrk's. Promise me
you Will l can take care of Marylyn
till dad comes. If you got hurt
Lounsbury threw one leg over the
pommel and sat sideways for awhile,
buckllng and unbuckllng his reins.
When he spoke it was very gently, and
again he did not look at her. Hadn't
you better wrap up little?" he sug-
gested It's cold"
She pat a coat about Marylyn. ut
amt right for you to make our quarrel
yours. You mustn't. l wouldn't have
you hurt on our account for anything"
Her eyes beseeched him.
He glanced at her. Its worth
lot tolkzpo@ you feel that way" he
said 8ly. "But-Pm afraid l can't
do p you want. It's your safety
thag ats with me-"
MGylyn's face had been hidden to
shut out the dread sight of Matthews.
Now she lif9g9 She said nothing
But as If sr .aeriy smitten by a pain
full thought sh' turned from Dallas to
Lounsbur~s from Lounsbury to Dali
las, n lningly. doubtful She drew
to o.. .de a few steps and stood
alone.
The movement escaped the others.
The storekeeper had slipped from his
saddle to pick up Matthews revolver.
And the elder girl, against whom was
setting in a tide of reaction, was strug-
Cling for composure She put out a
trembling hand for the weapon
Got a rifle, too, haven't your he
asked
NO. Dad took it."
Good heavens! I'm glad / didn't
know that coming down.
How'd you happen to Gomez
II saw the sleigh go by and was
sure something had scared your father
about the claim So l didn't wait to
black my boots.''
"Oh, 1t was a comfort to hear you, .
she said
WAS it?' eagerly. He stepped to-
ward her, then drew back. Wei" "
with feeble attempt at humor, I'D
rather be a comfort than a wet blan-
ket." He had remembered that evil
eyes weEe watching, that his least
move might subject Lancaster's daugh-
ters to the coarse comment Of Shanty
Town. He dared not even remain out
OF his saddle. He mounted.
oh, you're going to leave usv' ex-
claimed Marylyn. She began to cry
helplessly.
But III be on the lookout every sec
ond," he declared. Miss Dallas"-he
urged his horse up to the window
don't think I'm idiot enough to try to
do up that saloon gang down there sin
gle handed. II l go 10 Shanty Town
It II be because l have to. | won't 20
alone If | can help It. First Of all. l
intend to see the colonel over there
and lay this matter before him"
But dad she began.
Got to do 1t, whether your father
likes 1t or not We're dealing with q
cutthroat. He knows this lands worth
money"
Yes
And you can't tell what he'll do"
He bent to her. That scoundrel scared
YOU" he said regrefully. you're
ready TO drop. Oh, yes, you are. And
it's my fault l knew he might come
any day-that he'd make trouble. Blu
didn't believe he'd get here SO soon
T.
I'D given him up" she said
You! You &ld know, Them
quite awhile ago"
Knew what?" asked Marylyn, stop
ping her tears. Then, certain tina
there was some awful secret behind /
all and that it was being kept from
her, she began to cry again.
DallaG soothed her and explained.
DO you know when Matthews SD
months is up?n Lounsbury inquired.
Tonight at L."
Tonight. Well, we've got TO keel
him OF. He may try to establish resi-