Arizona republican., 1910-04-26

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 straight down the trail he came, leapine bounding and swayns unsteadiiy iron, side to side She dropped the pan of potatoes she had been parng; stood to her feet and watched, bewilderedly. Ii was wondrous, sun-6lled afternoon. The soft tumbling clouds went slipping away. over the white-tipped peaks; the noisy stream, below the cabin fretted and dashed itself against the rocks its path.
 The came nearer and nearer.ss She saw now that his face not unkindy; covered with thick stubby beard, and very thin His clothing was torn about his ears. Hester was afraid at first; somehow she never grew be fearless in the mountains all though having lived here two years She stepped back inte,the house and changed her position from the door the little curtained win do" She hoped he had not observed her; that he would continue his stumbling. headlons pace and stop.
 But rhe had seen and when he finally reached the yard bounded by the neatly heaped rocks. h. sasped heavily and then like bit of cloth, crumoled abruptly the ground
 She did not cry out, although her little Singer, went hard and cold to the back of the chair sb. d,dn't seem to hear anything save the monstrou. beating and humping of her own heart: even though she shut her eyes tight the silent crumnled ngure was before her. hudded to the ground After long space, when the man made no effort to move she gathered what courage she could and stole fur lively toward the door. Such grim sinister silence brooded everywhere
 She stumbled softly the step, and as if signal had been given, the recumbent figure before her srosned and stfHy to an elbow. She looked at him dumbly. conscious that the color pounded hefce to her cheeks and that her heart choked her From the blank. incredulous expression, the mans features relaxed and broke into long grin We'll. he said shortly, sitting up straight and passing big brown hand across his face. Well little woman--dd-I frighten you eh'
 She shook her head slowly No, no-that is. yes. at hrst-" she stammered breathIess The man chuckled and came unsteadily to his feet
 q don't wonder at it." he resumed. advancing to- ward the cabin You here-alone:"
 Again Hester shook her head .eYes-all alone Dads down at camp. The stranger sighed easier T just come from there I don't know how I ever got here Can get somethin' to eat: Awful hun grsi and I've got to go back there fore mornn'" Without word Hester turned into the cabin and the followed behind. She set the table with white, nervous hands, while the intruder huddled corner watched eagerly.
 When the table ready she fried him some bacon and potatoes which she had saved against her fathers He drew up his chair and ate ravenously. She poured him some coffee He lifted the brimming cup with trembling fingers sharp chatter drifting through the door. The mans grip upon the handle weakened and the cup crashed to the floor, spillins the contents over the white cloth and his pants
 "What-was thsfs' he burst out. leapins from the table, his face blanchins, his fingers fumbling ner- vously at his revolverstha swung easily his hip. "Whai--was that noise, .'eh?"
 Hester backed against the cabin wall, hands to her face,-the mans actions frightened her. When she spoke her voice strangely out of pitch.
 "Th,ts-thats Fip-hes my pet chipmunk. He thinks it's dinner tme I-I suppose. l always feed him at meal ,time" ps- s4s-.-. < The man sank slowly to his chair, his lips still drawn and white "1'm pretty shaky" he vouched "And-and I'm awful sorry spilled the stuff on your clean spresd.' His voice was not unpleasant she reasoned suheonsciously. -ss
 He ate for time in silence. Hester came ava, from the wall and sat down a stool before thu doorway
 "Got any horses?" the stranger began abruptly.
 'Yes-we got two here now. Dads got one He looked vaguely out the door.
 Got to get back to camp night" he began half unconsciously 60 it seemed Got te get back+fc