The Huttig news., 1909-09-25

come up with her, and after they had crossed the alfalfa fields McCloud did not care whether they ever found the it?" he exclaimed, coming up to her after opening gate in the dark. Where are you?"
 This way" laughed Dicksie. Look out for the trail here. Give me your hand and let your horse have his head. If he slips, drop off quick on this side" McCloud caught her hand. They rode for moment in silence. the horses stepping cautiously. "All right now" said Dicksie; you may let go.' But McCloud kept his horse up close and clung to the warm hand. The camp is just around the hill" murmured Dicksie, trying to pull away. "But of course if you would like to ride in holding my hand you may!"
 No" said NcCloud, Of course not not for worlds But, Miss Dicksie, couldn't we ride back to the house and ride around the other way into camp? I think the other way into the camp-say, around by the railroad bridge-would be prettier, don't you?s
 For answer she touched Jim lightly with her lines and his spring released her hand very effectively. As she did so the trail turned. and the campfire, whipped in the high wind, blazed be- fore them.
 Whispering Smith and Lance Dun. ming were sitting together as the two galloped up. Smith helped Dicksie to alight She was conscious of her color and her eyes were now unduly bright Moreover, Whispering Smiths glance rested so calmly on both McCloud's face and her own that Dicksie felt as if he saw quite through her and knew everything that had happened since they left the house.
 Lance was talking to McCloud Don't abuse the wind" McCloud was saying Its our best friend tonight Mir Cunning. It is blowing the wa ter off-shore. Where is the trouble ?? For answer Cunning led McCloud of toward the bend, and Dieksie was left alone with Whispering Smith
 He made a seat for her or the wind ward side of the big fire. When she had seated herself she looked up in great contentment to ask if he was not going to sit down beside her. Tho brown coat, the high black hat, anf the big eyes of Whispering Smith had already become a part of her mental store She saw that he seemed pre-. occupied, and sought to draw him out oi his abstraction.
 s1 am so glad you and Mr. McCloud re ge.ung acquainted with cousi --ance," she said And do you min ny giving you confidence, NJ ,mith? Lance has been so unreason able about this matter of the raj roads coming up the valley and pow Wowing so much with lawyers anG ranchers that he has been forgettin. about everything at home. He is st much older than am that he ought tc be the sensible one of the family, don't you think so? It frightens me to have him losing st cards and drinking. ] am afraid he will get into some shoot
 
 has come over him, and l worry about il l believe you could influence him if you knew him.
 What makes you think that?" asked Whispering Smith but his eyes were on the fire.
 "Because these men he spends his time with in iown-the men who fight and shoot so much-are afraid of you Don't laugh at me l know it is quite true in spite of their talk. l was afraid of you myself until"
 "Until--"
 But think 1t is because I don't understand things that I am so afraid. am not naturally coward. I'm sure l could not be afraid of you if I un- derstood things better. And there is Marion. She puzzles me She will never speak of her husbandl don't know why. And don't know why Mr McCloud is so hard on MT. Sinclair Mr Sinclair seems so kind and good natured."
 Whispering Smith looked from the fire into Dicksie's eyes. What should yon say if I gave you con fidehee?"
 She opened her heart to his search ing gaze. Would you trust me with a confidence?"
 He answered without hesitation. You shall see. Now. l have many things l cant talk about, you under stand. But if I had to give you secret this instant that carried my life. shouldn't fear to do it-so much for trusting you. Only this, too, as to what I say: Don't ever quote me or let it appear that you any more than know me. Can you manage that2 Really? Very good; you will understand why in a 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. MT Sinclair 1 am prejudiced against him: let us admit that on the start. and remember 1t in estimating what 1 say. But Sinclair is the man who has turned your cous- in S heSd, as well as made things in