The Huttig news., 1909-09-04


 of water now pouring through the Box canyon exposed 10000 acres of the ranch to the caprice of the river, and if al tho point of its tremendons sweep to the north fl should cut back into it's old channel the change would wipe tho entire body of rsrth alfalfa lands off the face of tho Xalley With the heat ot he leGgihening June days a vast steam tosc from the chill waters of rho river. marking i'll omine1s wind ings he channel of fhe main stream through yellow sea which, ignoring Inc usual landmarks of trees and dunes, fauked tlc current broadly on either side Late in the afternoon of tho day that Dichsie With Marion sought McGleud. storm drifted down the Tonah Topah hills. aud heavy showers broke across the valley
 Al uishtfall the rain had passed and the mist lifted ftom fhe river Above Inc bluffs rolling patchcs of cloud ob- scurcd the face al the moon. but the distant thunder had ceased and at miduight tho valley neas the bridge lay in T stiffness broken only hy he hoarse calls of the ratfels aud ialea meraphones From thc bridge camp which isy en hieh ground near he grade tho d stsnt lamrs of the track walkers eona he seen moving dimly
 Before the campfire in front of Nc Clouds tent a group ef men smoking and talkine. sat or lay snrawled on tafpaulins. drying themselves afiei the long day. Among thcm were the weather beaten remnants of the old guard of tho mountain workers. mer who had fought he Spider Water with Glover Bill Dancing huge lum boring. awkward as a bear and as shifty. was talking. boeanse with nc apparent eTert he could talk all night and was valuable mar at keenina he camp awake. Bill Dancing talked and alter siaeIair's name Lad heer dropped from the roli. ate aud dsduL more than any two men on the di ,ision. A little apart McCiond Ia. on leather cabeese cushion trsiug te get nap.
 The man sent 10 the bridge had turned back. and behind his lanterr aancmg heard he tread of horses He stood al one side oi the eanap.sirs while the visitors rode up: they wsrs wofncn nantine stoo1 dumb as fhey advanced into he tifciiSht. Tie ont alsead spoke Mir Dancing. den'i you know me? A she stopped heI aerse the light of the fire strnck hel lacc Why. Nils SipoIsir,9
 Yes. and Miss punning is witt me. returned Marion. Bill staggered have been noarlv drowned. and ws want to soc Mir. Mcclond"
 McCloud. reused by Marions voice came forward. You were asleep. said sho ss he greeted her. T sm M so9ry we have disturbed von,e sh, looked careworn and little forIorn 1 vet bnt a littie considering the stru. gle she and Dicfgsie had made to reacl 1 the camp
 Light hlazod from the campfire where picksie stood talking with Dan cling about horses.
 They are in desperate straits ID q the ranch. Marion went on. when Nc Cloud had assured her of her welcome
  T don'i sec how they can save r. Tn, river is starring to flow into the ol, channel and there's a big pond righ in the alfalfa fields
 Tt will play the deuce with thing, if t gets through there unused Me Clond. T wonder how the river is I've been asleep. 0 BiIl," he caile, 10 Dancing, what water have yo, got?"
 twenty eight six iust now. ii, he's arising very. very slow, Mr. Nc. l loud"
 so I am responsible for this in- aslon continued Marion. calmly. I've heen ID with Dickse at the anch she sent for ne. Just think of niles of the poor child And they lave heen trsing everywhere 10 get ,ags, and sou have all the bags, and he men have been h1zzing around ,Ver there for week like humble 'ees and doing just about as much nod She and 1 talked fl all over this afternoon. and 1 told her I was com ng over here to see you. and we tarted out together-and merciful ,oodncss. such a lime as we have lad,'
 But you started out together: where did you leave here
 There she stands the other side ot he fire Q Bieksie."
 Why did veu not tell me she was lerei" exclaimed MeGieu1
 picksie came into the lich' as he astened over If she was uncertain
 manner. he was not He met her, auGhng just enough 10 relieve the epsion of which both for an instant we're conscious She gave him her and when he put his out. though he cit that il tienbled little. Such a ide as you have had' Why did you iot send mo word? l would have 'ome 10 vou,' ne exclaimed. throwing 'eproach into the words
 nicksic raised her eyes "I wanted Q ask you whether you would sell us