The state herald., 1909-08-13

more than ought to. He came along
and turned her head. You need fear
nothing for yourself in going with her.
and nothing for her II you can cover
Just those two points-can you re-
member? Not to let her go away with
him on horseback, and not to leave
her where she will be alone with him
in the house?"
81 can and will. think as much
OF Marion as you do. | am proud to
be able to do something for you. How
little l have known you! thought
you were everything | didn't want to
know"
IT'S nothing" he returned, easily.
except that Sinclair has stirred up
your cousin and the ranchers as well
as the Williams Cache gang, and that
makes talk about me. | have to do
what | can to make this peaceable
country to live in. The railroad wants
decent people here and doesn't want
the other kind. and 1t falls on me, I'M
fortunately, to keep the other kind
moving. l don't like 1t, but we can
none of us do quite what we please in
making living. Let me tell you this"
he turned to fix his eyes seriously
on hers: believe anything you hear
of me except that have ever taken
human life willingly or save in dis
charge of my duty But this kind OF
work makes my own life an uncertain
ty, as you can see. do almost liter
ally carry my life in my hand. for II
my hand is not quicker every time
than a mans eye, am done for then
and there"
1T is dreadful to think Of"
Not exactly that. but It is some
thing can't afford to forget"
What would become OF the lives
of the friends you protect II you were
killed."
You say you care for Marion Sim
clair. should like to think II any
thing should happen to me you
wouldn't forget herr"
81 never will"
He smiled. Then l put her In
charge of the man closest to me.
George McCloud. and the woman she
thinks the most OF In the world-ex-
cept her mother. What is this. are
they back? Yonder they come"
I'VE found nothing serious" Nc
Cloud said. answering their questions
as he approached with Lance Dunning.
THE current is really swinging away.
but the bank is caving In where IL
was undermined last night" He
stopped before Dicksie. Il am trying
to get your cousin to 70 to the house
and go to bed. I am going to stay
all night. but there is no necessity
for his staying"
Damn II, McCloud. It's not right"
protested Lance. taking on his nat
and wiping his forehead. You need
the sleep more than | do. ! say he Is
the one to go TO bed tonight" con-
tinued Lance. putting 1t up to Whis-
pering Smith. And ! insist. by the
Almighty. that you two take him back
TO the house with you now!"
Whispering Smith raised his hand.
III this is merely family quarrel
about who shall 20 TO bed. let us com
promise. You two stay up all night
and let me go to bed"
Lance. however. was obdurate.
1T seems TO be n family character
lstic of the Cummings to have their
own way yentured McCloud after
some further dispute. III you will
have It so. Mr.. Dunning. you may
stand watch tonight and will 20 to
the house"
Riding back with McCloud. Dlcksie
and Whispering Smith discussed the
flood. MoCloud disclaimed credit for
the Improvement In the situation. IF
the current had held against us as II
did yesterday, nothing | could have
done would have turned H." he said
Honesty Is the best policy. OF
course" observed Whispering Smith.
Il like to see modest man-and you
want to remind him OF all this when
he sends In his bill." he suggested.
speaking to Dioksle In the dark. But"
he added, turning TO MoCloud. admit
ting that you are right. don't take tho
trouble to advertise your yiow ~ u
around here. II would be only decent
strategy for MS In the valley Just now
to take little of the credit due to the
wind"