The Ordway new era., 1908-05-15
,""..., n"ss fesolutely, domineeringly. back
toward the spot objected to.

nose , resolutely. domIneeringly, back
toward the spot objected to.
cant see what you're scared at
out well Just investigate and show
you now foolish thing is feminine
squcamishness."
a shadowy form arose ont of ,bo
darkness. 1t approached.
Is that you, Dick?"
'ordoii was not superstitious man
YET he felt suddenly cold to the crown
oi MS head. II was not so dark AZ n
might have been. There would have
u.'n moon mad 1t not been cloudy
pimly. he realized that the man had
arisen from the ruins of what must
nave been the old Williston home
stead. The outlines of the stone stoop
were vaguely visible in the halflight.
he solitary figure had been crouched
there. brooding.
I'm flesh and blood. Dick, never
Tear. said the man In mournfuI
voice. I'm hungry enough to youch
for that. You needn't be afraid. I'm
anything but spirit"
"Williston," The astonlshed word
burst from Gordon's lips. "Willis,on,
Is 1t really YOU"
None other, my dear Gordon. Sor.
ry startled you saw your light
ana heard your voice speaking to your
horse. and as you We're the very man
| was on the point of seeking. lust
] nuturDllV
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 b" 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. 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 1t? Besides.
they forgot my rations sometimes"
Who. Williston?" 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 n long
story. was coming to you. will
tell YOU everything. Shall begin
! now"
! Are you In any danger of pursuit o.
asked Gordon. suddenly bethinking
| himself.
Il think not. | killed my jaIlcr. the
half.brced. 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 1t 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. fevcrish hands on the young
mans shoulders. well hang them
you and I-we'll hang them every one
the devils who look like men. bu,
who strike at women. Well hang
them. say-you and I. I've got the
evidence"
is 1t possible they didn't tell you?'
cried Gordon aghast at the amazing
cruelty of II.
ITO Be Continued)