Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-10-22
CHAPTER XIII.
The Shot In the Pass.

CHAPTER XIII. .
The Shot In the Pass.
Dicksie walked hurriedly throusA
the dining room and out upon the rear
porch. Her horse was standing where
she had left him. Her heart beat r.
riously as she caught up the reins. but
she sprang into the saddle and rode
rapidly away. The food Of her tenn
per had brought O disregard Of CO..
sequences; 1t was In the glow Of her
eyes, the lines Of her lips. and the ire.
NOR Of her nostrils as she breatheA
long and deeply on her flying horse.
When she checked Jim she had ~,
den miles, but not without Q course
nor without q purpose. Where the
roads ahead Of her parted to leaA
down the river and over the Elbow
Pass to Medicine Bend, she halted
within q clump Of trees almost where
she had first seen McCload. Beyond
the Mission mountains the sun was
setting In fire like that which gloWOd
under her eyes. She could. have
counted her heart-beats as the crimson
ban sank below the verge Of the hori.
Son and the shadows threw up the sill
YER thread Of the big river and deep
ened across the heavy green OF the al
falfa fields. Where Dicksts sat, strug-
Cling with her bounding pulse and
holding Jim tightly in, no one from
the ranch or. indeed, from the up
country could pass her unBsen. She
was waiting for horsern2n. and the
sun had set but a few minutes when
Fhe heard sharp gallop coming down
Z upper road from the hills.
III her brave plans, terror-strickea
a the sound Of the hoof-beats, fed
frm her utterly. She was stunned
by the suddenness Of the crisis. She
had meant to stop McCioud and speak
TO him, but before she could summon
her courage tall, slender man %
horseback dashed past within q fet
feet Of her She could almost haw
touched him as he few by, and
horse less steady than Jim would hap
SHE'D under her. Dicksle caught be
breath. She did not know this man.
she had seen only his eyes, oddl
bright in the twilight as he passed
but he was not Of the ranch. He mua
have come from the hill road, she con
cluded. down which she herself had
Just ridden. He was somewhere from
the north. for he sat his horse like q
statue and rode like the wind.
But the encounter nerved her 10 her
resolve. Some leaden moments
passed. and McCloud. galloping at .
far milder pace toward the fork of the
roads, checked his speed as be ap.
preached. He saw a woman on horse
back waiting In his path.
Mr.. McCloud!"
Miss Dunning!"
Il could not forgive myself IL
waited too long to warn you that
threats have been made against your
life. Not Of the kind you heard To-
day. My cousin is not 4 murderer,
and never could be, am sure, In spite
Of his talk; but / was frightened at TIE .
thought that II anything dreadful
should happen his name would be
brought into II. There are enemies
OF yours In this country to be feared,
and It is against these that I warn
you. Goodnight"
Surely you wont ride away With
out giving me chance TO thank yoa!"
exclaimed McCloud. Dicksie checked
her horse. Il owe you double debt
Of gratitude" he added, ard 4 am
anxious to assure you that we desire
nothing that will injure your interests
In any way In crossing your landa"
Il know nothing about those mat
tiers, because my cousin manAgea
everything. It is growing late and
you have a good way to 90. 60 good.
night"
But you will allow me to ride back
to the house with your Q
"oh, no. indeed. thank you!"
1T Will soon be dark and you are
alone"
No. no! | am quite safe and I have
only short ride. It Is you who have
Tar to CO." and she spoke agaia b
i'm. who started brIskly.
CTo BE CONTINUED