The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-02-27

they keep thirselves, and have TO
have special deputies appinted over
'em five or six times and then let
most O. the bunch slip through their
fingers, it's time for some one to git
busy. And when Jesse Black and his
gang are so desp'rit they pizen the
chief Witnesses"
A gentle pressure on his arm
stopped him. He turned inquiringly.
Il wouldn't say any MORE" whisper
ed Louise. Lets get on"
The hint was sufficient, and with the
words, Right you are. Miss Reporter.
We'll be gittin' on" Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team.
Just wait a bit. will you?" spoke
up the sandy man.
What for?"
Were not just ready"
well. We are" shortly.
1--WE arn't, and we don't care to be
passed, you know"
He spoke indifferently. In defer
ence to Louise, Jim waited. The men
smoked on carelessly. The toll-man
fidgeted.
You go to hell. The Three Bars
amt waitin' on no damned hoss
thieves" said Jim, suddenly.
With burning oath Jim, keeping to
the side of the steep incline till the
river mire cut him off. deliberately
turned his stanch little team squarely
and crowded them forward against
the shaggy buckskins. 1t was team
against team. Louise, clinging tightly
to the seat. lips pressed together to
keep back any sound. felt wild, in
applicable thrill of confidence in the
strength of the man beside her.
The bays were pitifully, cruelty
dashed by the enraged owner of the
buckskins, but true as steel to the IA
miliar voice that had guided them
so often and so kindly, they gave not
nor faltered. There was swapping
of broken wood, wrench, a giving
way, and the runabout sprang over
debris of broken wheel and wagon-boX
to the narrow confines of the pontoon
bridge.
"The Three Bars is gettin' busy!"
gibed Jim over his shoulder.
ITS a sorry day for you and yours.
cried the other, in black and ugly
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin but
a boss thief, anyway" responded jim,
gleefully, as parting shot.
Now what do you suppose was
their game" he asked of the girl at
his side.
Il don't know" answered Louise.
thoughtfully. But | thought it not
wise to say too much to them. You
are a witness. | believe you said"
Then you think they are part o the
gang"
Il consider them at least sympa-
thizers, don't you? They seemed down
on the Three Bars"
In the Indian country at last. Mile
after mile of level, barren stretches
after the hill region had been left be,
| hind Was there no end to the thirst
inspiring, monotonous, lonely reach OF
cacti? Prairie dogs. perched in front
| of their holes, chartered and scolded
at them. The sun went down and a
| refreshing GOODNESS crept over the
hard, baked earth. Still, there was
nothing but distance anywhere in al.
the land, and feeling of desolation
swept over the girl.
The moon came up. Then there were
miles of white moonlight and lonely
plain. But for some time now there
has been light in front of them. 1t
| is as If it must be a will-o' -the-wisp.
They never seem to get to it. But at
last they are there. The door is wide
open. pleasant odor of bacon and
coffee is waited out to the tired trav-
| elers.
Come right in." says the CHEEKY
voice of Mary How tired you must
be, Miss Dale. Tie up, Jim, and come
in and eat something before you go.
Well. you can eat again-two suppers
won't hurt you. l have kept things
warm for you. Your train must have
been late. Yes, dad is better, thank
you. He'll be all right in the morn
ing"
(To BE CoNTINUED)