Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-14

Relieved Him OF Anxiety.
as instantly swung shut once more,
and closed them in. The pounding
hoofs made little noise, and they
pressed steadily onward, closely
punched together, so as not to lose
each other, dim, spectral shadows fit
ting through the night, a very part Of
that grim desoation surrounding
them. No one Of the three felt like
speaking; the gloomy, brooding des-
ert oppressed them. their vagrant
thoughts assuming the tinge of their
surrundings their hope centered on
escape. Keith rode, grasping the rein
of the woman's horse In his left hand,
and bending low in vain effort at pick
ing a path. He had nothing to aim
toward, yet sturdy confidence In his
expert plainscraft yielded him sum
cient sense Of direction. He had noted
the bark Of the cottonwoods, tho direc-
ton OF the wind. and steered a course
accordingly straight northward, alert
to avert any variation.
The girl rode easily, although IN q
mans saddle. the stirrups much too
long. Keith glanced aside with swift
approval at the erectness with which
she sat- the loosened rein In her hand.
the slight swaytng of her form. He
could appreciate horsemanship, and
the easy manner in which she rode
relieved him OF one anxiety. II even
caused him to break the silence.
You are evidently accustomed TO
riding. Miss Hope"
She glanced across at him through
the darkness. as though suddenly sur
prised from thought, her words not
coming quickly.
Il cannot remember when first
mounted a horse: in earliest child
hood, surely. although l have not rid
den much of late. This one is like
rocking chair"
He belonged to your friend Mr..
Hawiey"
She drew a quick breath, her face
again turned forward.
''Who-who Is that man? Do you
know"
Il possess passing acquain tance,"
ne answered, uncertain yet how much
to tell her, but tempted to reveal all
IN test OF her real character. Few do
not who live along the Kansas bor-
der"
DO you mean be is VIGOROUSLY
bad character"
Il have never heard of his being
held up as a model to the young, Miss
Miss Hope" he returned more soberly,
convinced that she truly possessed no
real knowledge regarding the man.
and was not merely pretending inno-
cence. II had never heard him called
Hawley before, and, therefore, failed
to recognize him under that respect
able name. But knew his voice the
moment he entered the cabin and real
tied that some devilment was afoot
Every town along this frontier has his
record, and I've met him maybe q
dozen times in the past three years.
He is known as Black Bart is
gambler by profession, desperate by
reputation, aud a cur by nature. Just
now l suspect him of being even deep
er In the mire than this"
He could tell BY the quick clasping
OF her hands on the pommel OF tho
saddle the effect Of his words. but
waited until tho silence compelled her
to speak,
oh, didn't know! You do not be-
lieve that ever suspected such .
thing? That ever met him there
understanding who he wes'"
No. do not" he answered. What
I overheard between you convinced
me you were the victim of deceit, But
your going to that place alone was
most reckless act"
She lifted her hand to her eyes. her
head dropping forward.
Wasn't 1t what he told me-tho
out-stauon Of ranch?"
NO; l have ridden this country for
years, and there is no ranch pasturing
cattle along the Salt Fork Miss Hope,
| want you to comprehend what 1t Is
you have escaped from; what you are
now fleeing from. Within the last two
years an apparently organized body
of outlaws have been operating
times disguised as Indians, they have
terrorized the Santa Fe trail for two
hundred miles, killing travellers In
small parties, and driving off stock.
There are few ranches as far west as
This, but these have all suffered from
raids. These fellows have done more
TO precipitate the present Indian war
than any act of the savages. They
have endeavored to make the authori-
ties believe that Indians were guilty
OF their deeds Of murder and robbery.
Both troops aud volunteers have tried
TO hold the gang up. but they scatter
and disappear, as though swallowsd
by the desert. have been out twice,
hard on their trail only TO come back
baffed. Now ! think accident has
given me the clue"
She Strengthened up: glancing CUES.
tioningly at him through tho dark
ness.
This Is what | mean Miss Hope.
suspect that cabin to be the rom
devious Of those fellows, and l hale
believe Hawley to be their leader