The Washington herald., 1908-01-05

and he said that a fellow from Laramie
had told him about meeting Henderson
In Santa Fe. He got onto his name by
accident and didn't know that Don knew
Henderson. when he was telling IL, so
/ reckon you viii have to 60 to the
jumping-Off place to find the bOy-you
will find him and set this straight, Mr..
Landon2
The glazing eyes sought for the face
above him, and Landon answered, Yes.
Red, I'll find him
He watched her come slowly down the
stairs, the light Of the great window be-
hind her framing the little head In an
auriole of sunset rays. His hearts lady
his no more, With blind resentment
choking the words in his throat. he blum
dered through the story of Red Mat
thews confession, and then. he found
himself wondering at the self-possession
with which she discussed the ways and
means of dealing with Peter Locke.
Poor little Lilias, What a miserable
tangle" said Judith as they walked to
the gate.
'LiHas?" lie had forgotten Locke's
daughter. the pretty little girl who had
been Judith's shadow since Jack Hen
derson's flight. The position had re-
versed itself. II was Judith who would
play cOnsoler now.
Landon lost no time in placing the con-
fesson with the proper authorities. He
swore out the warrant against Peter
Locke. interviewed reporters, and then
with Judith's letter in his pocket, started
Westward on his quest
The limited" paused just long enough
to drop Landon at Umiltas, the struggling
settlement strung along the track, half
shanties. half tepees.
"Hotel?'
The station agent gTinned and pointed
10 a house whose crazy clapboards rat
tied in the desert wind
"ATapahOe Kate is a-runnin' that there
hash joint. She'll take you in, but you
want to keep your gun handy"
And he strode off down the track
The knot of Mexlcans and half breeds
made way for Landon. Kate stood in
the doorway, leeTing a drunken welcome
from under the mans hat, slouched over
her frowsy head.
"Grub's a-plenty, an Texas Charles
hit the trail. leavin' his bunk behind. "
and upon that assurance. LandOn fol-
lowed her to a cubbyhole back of the
saloon, where the aforesaid bunk was
located. Somewhere behind the thin par
tition a jangling piano Teeled and
shrieked, and a chorus of discordant
voices beloved medley Of ribald songs.
He could hear the snap of cards upon
the tables. the clink of glasses. and then
a few minor chords were struck ana a
mellow barytone rolled forth in border
song of starry nights and women's faces.
Landon sprang to his feet He knew
that voice, and he pushed the door open.
Henderson,
The singer-a handsome, haggard boy
sprang from the piano and started for
the outside door. his eyes fixed on Ian
don's like those of haunted animal at
bay. Landon caught his arm.
Mo, you don't, Jack. ! have not come
all this distance to lose you now"
Not man stirred to interfere. The
scene was too common in Umiltas. and
Landon and his quarry passed out to the
shelter OF clump of mesquite
Then the boy faced him.
See here. David Landon; II you have
come here thinking to takes me back, I
tell you now I won't goi I've reached
my limit in singing for bread In this hell
hole, and I'll never go home aliven'
Landons gray eyes bored their steady,
sane insistence into the desperate brown
ones.
shut up, Jack. You viii so back with
me tomorrow. I came here to find you
and ] won't leave without you-wait, hear
me out! Locke's tool. Red Matthews. the
forger. died last week. He made a clean