The state herald., 1909-08-13


than know me. Can you manage
that? Really? Very good; you will
understand why in minute. The
man that is stirring up all this trouble
with your Cousin Lance and In this
whole country is your kind and good
natured neighbor, Mr.. Sinclair. l am
prejudiced against him: let us admit
that on the start, and remember 1t in
estimating what | say. But Sinclair
is the man who has turned your cous-
ms head, as well as made things in
other ways unpleasant for several of
u.s. Sinclair-l tell you SO you will
understand everything, more than
your cousin, Mr.. McCloud. or Marion
Sinclair nderstand-Sinclair is a
train-wrecker and murderer. That
makes you breathe hard. doesn't It?
but 1t is so. Sinclair is fairly edu-
Gated and highly intelligent. capable
in every way, daring to the limit and
in way, fascinating, 1t is no wonder
lie has a following. But his following
is divided into two classes: The
men that know all the secrets. and the
men that don't-men like Rebstock
and Du Sang, and men like your cous.
in and hundred or so sports in Medi.
cine Bend, who see only the glamour
Of Sinclair's pace. Your cousin sym
pathizes with Sinclair when he doesn't
actually side with him. All this has
helped to turn Sinclair's head, and
this is exactly the situation you and
McCloud and / and lot of others are
up against They don't know all this.
hut ! know II, and now you know it.
Let me tell you something that comes
close to home. You have cowboy
on the ranch named Karg-he is
called Flat Nose. Karg was railroad
man. He is a cattle-thief. train
robber. murderer. and spy. should
not tell you this II you were not game
TO the last drop of your blood. But
think know you better than you
know yourself, though you never saw
me until last night. Karg is Sinclair's
spy at your ranch. and you must never
feel IT or know It; but he is there to
keep your cousins sympathy with Sin.
clair, and to lure your cousin his way.
And Karg will try to kill George Nc
Cloud every time he sets foot on this
ranch. remember that"
Then Mr.. McCloud ought not to be
here. ! don't want him to stay II he
is in danger." exclaimed Dicksie.
But ] do want him to come here
as II 1t mattered nothing. and shall
try TO take care OF him. | have a man
among your own men. n cowboy named
Wickwire, who will be watching Karg
and who is Just as quick. and Karg.
not knowing he was watched. would
be taken unawares. II Wickwire goes
elsewhere to work some one else will
take his place here. Karg is not on
the ranch now; he is up north. hunt.
Ing up some OF your steers that were
run of last month by his own cronies
Now do you think am giving you
confidence?"
She looked at him steadily. III !
can only deserve Il all" In the dis.
tance she heard the calling of the men
shock OF what had been told her. the
strangeness OF the night and OF the
scene. left her calm. Fear had given
way to responsibility and Dlckslc
Feomed to know herself
You have nothing whatever to do
TO deserve II but keep your own coun.
sci. But listen moment longer-for
this IL what ! have been leading up
to-" he said. Marion will get mes.
sage tomorrow, n message from Sin.
clair. asking her 10 come TO see him
nj his Tanch.house before she goes
back. don't know what he wants
but she is his wife. He has treated
her UNANIMOUSLY; that is why she will
not live with him and does not speak
OF him. But you know how strange n
woman iR-or perhaps you don't: she
doesn't always cease 10 care for man
when she ceases TO trust him. | am
not In Mnrlon's confidence. Miss Dick.
sic. She In another mans wife. I
cannot tell how she feels toward him;
| know she has often tried TO reclaim
him from his doylltry. She may try
again. that IL. she may. for one reason
or another. 30 to him as he asks.
could not interfere. II | would. |
have no right TO II could. and will
not. Now this iH what I'm trying TO
get mp the courage TO ask you. Should
you dare to 70 with her TO Slnclnir's
ranch II she decides TO go TO him?"
Certainly should dare"
After all you known"
After NIL know-why not7"
Then In ease she does go and you
go with her. you will know nothing
whatever about anything. OF course.
unless you get the story from her.
What ! fear ls that which possibly
may come OF their interview. He may
try 10 XIII hor-don't bo frightened.
He VIII not succeed II you can only
make sure he doesn't lead hor away
ON horseback f'om the ranch .houa. or
get her alone h, n room. She has few
friends, | resi- cct and honor her be.
cause she and grew up m children
together In III, same little town In