The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-05-21

nose resolutely, domineeringly. bach
toward the spot objected to.
II can't see what you're scared at,
but we'll Just investigate and show
you how foolish thing Is feminine
squeamishness."
A shadowy form arose out Of the
darkness. 1t approached.
rs that you, Dick?"
Gordon was not superstitious man,
yet he felt suddenly cold to the crown
OF his head. 1t was not so dark as 1t
might have been. There would have
been a moon had 1t not been cloudy.
Dimly. he realized that the man had
arisen from the ruins of what must
have been the old Williston 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 Gordon's lips. "Williston!
Is 1t really you?"
None other my dear Gordon! Sor-
ry l startled you. l saw your light
and heard your voice speaking to your
horse, and as you were the very man
l was on the point of seeking. just
naturally came forward, forgetting
that my friends would very likely
look upon me in the light of ghost"
"Williston! My dear fellow!" re-
peated Gordon again. 1T Is too good
to be true" he cried. leaping from his
mare and extending th-hands cordi-
ally. Shake, old man! My, the feel
of you is-bully. You are flesh and
blood all right. l 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
toms 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. Williston?" asked Gordon.
the real significance Of the mans re-
turn taking quick hold Of him.
81 think you know. Gordon" said
the older man. quietly. ut is a long
story. 1 was coming to you. will
tell you everything. Shall begin
now?"
Are you in any danger OF pursuit."
asked Gordon, suddenly bethinking
himself.
81 think not. 1 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 man
who had sounded the gamut Of des-
pair and was now far spent.
What was the use? l 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 we'll hang them every one
the devils who look like men, but
who strike at women. Well hang
them, say-you and l. I've got the
evidence"
is it possible they didn't tell you?"
cried Gordon aghast at the amazing
cruelty of it.
ITO Be Continued)