New-York tribune., 1910-06-05

innermost soul, and conviction came to him
that he wanted her to see nothing that
would distress her or cause her to withdraw
from him the frank trust she had shown.
As he stood silently returning her steady look,
there crept into his consciousness tornleSS
doubt as to the desirability of killing Clay
Carver or being killed by Clay Carver He
was struggling with wholly unfamiliar idea.
Heretofore there had been no mlsglvlngS.
According to the code he knew, this was re-
quired of him if he would keep his own re-
spect and that of his associates.
But, as he continued to gaze at the earnest
doubtful eyes before him, one idea slowly
took form from out the background of his
disordered emotions,-Anne Harkness as
demanding something braver of his man.
hood than the killing of Clay Carver and IN
the face of the revelation he stood spiritually
torn and bleeding. Self consciousness fled as
self knowledge came. He opened his lips to
speak, to say things he had never before
formulated even to himself; but before he
could frame the words the outer door opened
and man burst into the room seemingly
hurled in by the shrieking storm
| FOR one tense minute the three stood as if
petrified. Anne'S already tense nerves
bounded to swapping point, so that she
scarcely breathed. Creede had wfl1rled
toward the door and now stood staring, rig
| idly incredulous. The stranger, framed in
the doorway, a rifle in his hands, remained
statuelike, his poise betraying surprise, un-
certainty, CONSERVATION.
Anne's brain did not act; but intuition
drove her to break the spell, to be the first
| to break it. Before either of the two men
| had shifted position she had reached the
bunk and was rendering Creede's six-shOOter,
/ still in its scabbard, to the man in the door
way.
Nov, sir, we are unarrnedI" Her voice
was steady with paipable effort.
With hOarse exclamation Creede made
an impusive move toward her; but she
ignored him. The newcomer accepted the
proffered weapon and lowered his own.
Il apologize for my abrupt entrance" he
said with bow of we'll bred assurance Il
hope | did not frighten you by my uninten-
tionally threatening attitude. | was literally
blown in by the wind"
The words were spoken suavely; but Anne
knew he lied. DiStrust and dislike of the
man possessed her in spite of his undeniably
handsome face and easy grace of manner.
His clear cut features were those of good
birth; but upon them was the unnistakable
stamp of moral obliquity. His eyes rested
upon her with a look of questioning admira-
tlOn which brought the hot, reSenttul blood
to her checks. Instinctively, as if seeking
protection, she looked toward Creede.
He was standing pale and rigid still, his
Jaws set, his eyes with the CLINT of steel in
them, and instantly she forgot everything
but him and the sudden horrid certainty
| that this was-was his enemy.
"Is-is-is it" she breathed.
at is-er-Mr. Jim Moore" Creede in
terrupted her in quick hard voice. And
Anne knew that he too lied
Again the man bowed low, very low; but
he could not conceal the belying shadow on
the smiling lips.
''Have some chuck?" Creede interposed
harshly.
Moore shot him glance which carried
with it yelled suspicion and menace; but his
reply was courteous enough. Thanks, l
will; but | must get it Immediately. am
on my way to town for a doctor. Fellow
hurt over on the AlamoSa this morning NV
horse gave out with me couple of miles
back, and had to leave him and come the
rest of the way on foot. | must get Il fresh
horse from you There was a trifing but
significant emDhaSIS uDOn the word "rnttSt -