Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-19

ksSsT fear came over Dallas. She |
eJ 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 Clark's. Promise me
you will! can take care of Marylyn
till dad comes. If you got hurt
Lounsbury threw one leg over the
pommel and sat sideways for awhile,
buckling and unbuckling his reins.
When he spoke ii was very gently and
again he did not look at her. Hadn't
you better wrap up little?" he sug-
gested. Its cold"
She put a coat about Marylyn. TT
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. IT'S worth u
lot to know you feel that way" lie
said slowly. "But-rm afraid l can't
do what you want. It's your safety
that counts with me-"
Marylyn's face had been hidden to
shut out the dread sight of Matthews.
Now she lifted 1t. She said nothing.
But as If suddenly smitten by pain
full thought she turned from Dallas to
Lounsbury, from Lounsbury to Dali
las, questioningly, doubtful. She drew
to one side 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 pat out
trembling hand for the weapon.
Got a rifle, too, haven't your he
asked.
mo. Dad took it,"
Good heavens! I'm glad l didn't
know that coming down"
How'd you happen to Gomez"
81 saw the sleigh go by and was
sure something had scared your father
about the claim. SO | didn't wait to
black my boots"
"Oh, It was u cc;2:crt 70 hear you"
she said.
WAS it," eagerly. He stepped to-
ward her, then drew back Well"
with a feeble attempt at humor. I'D
rather be a comfort than Il wet blan-
ket." He had remembered that evil
eyes were watching, that his least
move might subject Lancaster's daugh-
tiers to the coarse comment of ShantJ
Town. He dared not even remain out
of his saddle. He mounted.
"Oh, you're going to leave u.s. eX.
claimed Marylyn. She began to cry
helplessly.
But I'll 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. If | 90 to Shanty Town
1T II be because have to-. l won't go
alone if | can help 1t. First of all,
intend to see the colonel over there
and lay this matter before him."
But dad she began.
Got to do it, whether your father
likes it or not. We're dealing with a
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 regretfully. You're
ready to drop. Oh. yes, you are. And
it's my fault. I knew he might come
any day-that he'd make trouble. But
l didn't believe he'd get here so soon.
T.
I'D given him up" she said.
you! You did know, then!'
"Quite awhile ago"
Knew what" asked Marylyn, stop
ping her tears. Then, certain that
there was some awful secret behind 1t
all and that it was being kept from
her, she began to cry again.
Dallas soothed her and explained.
do you know when Matthew'S six
months is up?" Lounsbury inquired.
"Tonight at r."
Tonight. Well, we've got to keep
him off. He may try to establish resi-
dence in a wickiup."
DuL Sdh bC
''He hasn't. and he can't. And If he
comes this way after midnight I'll fix
him for trespassingr' He laughed.
II wish you wouldn't go to the fort
though. You've heard dad-you know
how he feels
81 wouldn't go If didn't have to-
But the temperatures falling. BY sun
down they'll begin changing the SEN
tries at Brannon every hour. No one
man could stay out even half the
night. And this shack has to be guard
ed till morning I must get some one
TO relieve me-
Il suppose you're right" she said
reluctantly.
He brought the horse about. SIS
there anything can do before goY
he asked. @F"'
NO. We've got everything but
wood. and Charley brings us that