The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-06-19

nose resolutely, dOmineeringiy, rack
toward the spot objected to.
Il cant see what you're scared ct,
but Well just investigate and show
y0u how Foolish a thing is feminine
squeamishuess.
A shadowy form arose out of the
darkness. 1t approached
rs that you. Dick?'
Gordon was not superstitOuS man.
yet he felt suddenly cold to the crown
Of his head. Il was not so dark as it
might have been. There would have
Dimly, he realized that the man had
arisen from the ruins Of what must
have been the old WiIliston home
stead. The outlines Of the stone stOOp
were vaguely visible in the half-light.
The solitary figure had been CrOuChed
there, brooding.
I'm flesh and blood, Dick, never
fear" said the man in a mOurnful
voice. I'm hungry enough to vouch
for that You needn't be afraid I'm
anything but spirit"
"Williston," The astonished word
burst from Gordons lips. "WilIiston,
Is it really you?"
None other my dear Gordon. Sor-
WV 7 OF ~ nTi ;,.l4
and heard your voice speaking to your
horse, and as you We're the very man
was on the point Of seeking, | just
naturally came forward. forgetting
that my friends would very likely
look upon me in the light of a ghost"
"WillistOn' My dear fellow" re-
peSted Gordon again. 1T is too good
to be true" he cried, leaping from his
mare and extending both hands cOrdi.
ally. Shake, old man. My, the feel
of yOu is-bully, You are flesh and
blood all right. I don't know, though.
Seems to me YOU have been kind O.
running to skin and bones since | last
saw You. Grips good. but bony.
You're thinner than ever. aren't YOU"
All this time he was shaking Willis
tons hands heartily. He never thought
of asking him where he had been. For
weary months he had lOnged for this
man to come back. He had come
back. That was enough for the pres
ent. He had always felt genuinely
friendly toward the unfortunate
scholar and his daughter.
That's natural, isn't It? Besides,
they forgot my rations sometimes"
who, Willston?" asked Gordon,
the real significance of the mans re.
turn taking quick hold of him.
Il think you know, Gordon" said
the older man, quietly. 1T is a long
story. l was coming to you. l will
tell you everything. Shall l begin
now?"
Are you in any danger of pursuit.
asked Gordon, suddenly bethinking
himself.
Il think not. killed my jailer, the
half-breed, Nightbird."
You did well. So did Mary"
What do you mean
Didn't you know that Mary shot
and killed one of the desperadoes that
night? At least, we have every rea.
son to think it was Mary. By the way,
you have not asked after her"
The mans head dropped. He did
not answer for long time When he
raised his head his face, though show.
ing indistinctly, was hard and drawn.
He spoke with little emotion as a man
who had sounded the gamut of des-
pair and was now far spent.
What was the use? | saw her fall,
Gordon She stood with me to the
end. She was brave little girl. She
never once faltered. Dick" he said,
his voice changing suddenly, and lay.
ing hot, feveriSh hands on the Young
mans shoulders, well hang them
you and well hang them every one
the devils who look like men, but
who strike at women. Well hang
them. say-yOu and I. I've got the
evidence"
rs it possible they didn't tell you?'
cried Gordon aghast at the amazing
cruelty Of it.
(To Be Continued.)