Evening star., 1909-09-12

picked up one of his hoofs Worn down
pretty flat he told the animal. Perhaps if |
walk make it" He started on foot up
the tinkling way, watching the bronco with
solicitude.
Suvy followed obedently; but the pointed
rocks played havoc with his feet. He lurched
in attempting to right his foot one that
turned, and the long lasso secured to the sad
die Topped out, fell back. and made him jump
Van halted as before. Barger was barely fifty
yards away. His pistol was leveled; but he
waited for deadlier aim, shorter shot
Nope; well have to climb the hill = Van
decided reluctantly. You're friend OF mine,
Suvy, and even If you weren't you d have to
last to get back" He turned his back on death
unwittingly to spare the horse he loved.
Delayed no less than hour by this en-
forced retreat, he patiently led the bronco back
to the opening of the pass. and, still on foot,
went OH the steep way up over the mountain.
Barger and cursed himself for not hav
ing risked shot He dared not attempt a
dash upon his man; he could not know where
Van might again be intercepted; he was help
less, baffied enraged. Half starved; keenly
alive only in his instinct to accomplish his re-
venge, the creature more like hunted
animal than like a man He had sworn to
even the score with Van Buren,; he not
to be DETECTED from his course. But to get
his man here was no longer possible. The
horse Beth had lost in the convcts pos
session, all but famshed for water. not
to mention food. There was nothing to choose
but retreat toward the river, to the northward,
where the mountains might yet afford an am
bush as Van returning home.
FAR away in the mountains, at the Laughing
Water claim. where the sun was setting on
scene of labor all but concluded for the day,
the group of surveyors with Lawrence IN
charge. appeared along the southern ridge.
Gettysburg, Napoleon, and Dave were still
in the water by the sluices. They were grimed.
soiled with perspiration. weared by the long
hard day of toll. Shovel in hand, old Gettys-
burg discovered the men with an instrument
who trekked along the outside edge of the
claim. Chairman. rodman, and Lawrence with
his shining theodolite set on its three slender
legs they were silhouetted sharply against
the evening sky. Their movements and their
presence here were beyond the partners COM
prehension.
1t was Gettysburg who slowly climbed the
slope and anchored himself in their path.
What you doin'?" he said to the rodman
presently, when that tired individual ap-
preached and continued on his way.
What does it look like. playing checkers"
said the man. Cant the Government do
nothing. run no county line ner nothin'. with
out everybody sitting up to notices"
No less than fifty men they had met that
day had questioned what the Government was
doing The county line" suggestion had been
the only hint vouchsafed. and that had suffced
to alay the keenest suspicion.
That all said Gettysburg. and. watching
as he went, he slowly returned to his partners.
The explanation was ample. The surveyors
proceeded on.
MEANTIME, in absolute ignorance of all
- that was happening on his property, Van
continued toward Starlight unmolested An
hour after sundown he rode into the camp, in
CURED his way to the rough board shack. where
Kent was lying i'll, and was met at the door by
a stranger, whom Glen had employed cook
and general nurse.
Bostwick was there He remained unseen.
His instructions were imperative, and the nurse
had no choice but to obey.
of course kent's here" he admitted in
response to Vans first question. He can't
see no one, neither no matter who it is.
I've brought letter from his sister" Van
explained. Hes got to have it, and have it
now! If he wishes to send any answer back,
I'm here to take it,
The nurse looked him over. "The orders
from the doctor is visitors" he said. "and
that goes. If you want to leave the letter,
WHY you kin"
Van produced the letter. "If the mans as
i'll as that, | have no desire to butt in for
interview" he said. "Oblige me by finding out
as soon as possible whether l may be of service
to Mr.. Kent in returning his reply
The man looked bewildered. He received
the letter somewhat obviously and disappeared.
Van waited. The reception was not precisely
what he might have expected; but. for the
matter of that. neither had the trip been alto
gether what he might have chosen.
1t was fully twenty minutes before the nurse