The Huttig news., 1909-12-11
arrest him?'
 Lance's sombrero raked heavily te


 one s44e oI n.s face, ana one Ni.l his mustache running ID much higher on the other, did not G, il 10 express his atonishment. Arcs him? Ar rest Sinclair? Dicksie, aIe yod crazy? | Why the de il should 1 arrest 5in- clair? Do you suppose I am going to mix up in fight like this? Do you think 1 want to get killed? The level i headed man in this country, just at present, is the man who can keep out of trouble. and the man wLo succeeds, let me tell you, has got more thaa l plenty to do.'
 Lance, getting no answer but a fierce, searching gaze from Dicksie's wild eyes, laid his hand on chair, lighted cigar, and sat down before the fire. Dicksie dropped the tele- phone receiver. put her hand to her l gifdle. and looked at him. When she spoke her tone was stinging. You know that man is going to Medicine Bend to kill his wife."
 Lance took the cigar from his mouth and returned her look "I know no such thing" he growled, curtly. And to kill George McCloud, if he can"
 He stared without reply
 You heard him say so," persisted Dicksie. vehemently
 Lance crossed his legs and threw back the brim of his hat. "McCloud is nobody's iSol. He will look out for himself"
 These fiendish wires to Medicine Bend are down. Why hasn't this line been repaired?" she cried, wringins her hands. There is no way to give warning to any one that he is coming, and you have let him gol.
 Lance whirled in his chair. Dam nation! Could I keep h.m from go. ing?"
 You did not want to: you are keep ing out of trouble. What do you care whom he kills tonight"
 You've gone crazy, Dicksle Your imagination has upset your reason. Whether he kills anybody tonight or not. it's too late now to make a row about it. exclaimed Lance, throwing his cigar angrily away He won't kill us.
 And you expec; me to sit by and fold my hands while that wretch sheds more blood. do you?'
 It can't be helped
 ssI say it can be helpedi@I can help 1 ft--I ~ill help it-as you could have l done if you had wanted to. I will ride to Medicine Bend tonight and help it."
 Lance jumped to his feet, with string of oaths. Well this is the Jim it'" He pointed his finger at her. "Dicksie Cunning. you won't stir out of this house tonight
 Her face hardened. How dare you speak in that way to me? Who are you. that you order me what to do where to stay? Am l your cowboy, to be defiled with your curses?" He looked at her in amazement She was only IS; he would still face her down. 'I'll tell you who I am. am master here. and you will do as tell you. You will ride to Medicine Bend tonight, will you?" He struck the table with his clinchei fist Do you hear me? l say, by God, not horse shall leave this ranch in this storm tonight to go anywhere for any body or with anybody"
 Then l say to you this ranch is my ranch, and these horses are my horsesl From this hour forth I will or der them to go and come when and where I please!" She stepped toward him. "Eeneeforward l am mistress here. Do you hear me? Kenceforwar6 l give orders in Crawling Stone house, and every one under this roof takes orders from mel"
 Dicksie, what do you mean? For l Gods sake, you're not going to try to ride
 She swept from the room What happened afterward she could never l recall Who got Jim for her or wheth CT she got the horse up herself, wha was said to her in low, kindly word of warning by the man at Jim's neck when she sprang into the saddle, who the man was, she could not have toll All she felt at last was that she was frse and out under the black sky. with the rain beating her burning face and her horse leaping fearfuily into the wind.
 No man could have kept the trail to the pass that night. The horse took It as l. the path flashed in sunshine, and swung into the familiar stride that had carried her so many times over the 20 miles ahead of them. The storm driving into Dicksies face cooled her. Every moment she recol- leeted herself better and before her mind all the aspects of her venture ranged themselves She had set herself to a race, and against her rode the hardest rider in the mountains. She had set herself to what few men on the range would have dared and what no other woman on the range could do. A gust drove into her face. They were already at the head of the pass, and the horse, with level ground underfoot, was falling into the long reach but the wind was colder. Dicksie lowered her head and gave Jim the rein. She realized how wet oh bor fca ax4I bor