The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-15

that horse thief and he would XIII two
birds with one stone. He would bring
long wanted horse thief to justice.
and Mt the same time he would save
Louise Snyder from marriage with
most INSCRIPTIONS rogue.
It had rained the night before, and
there 6till remained q certain spo0gl-
uess OF the coll that he'd the telltaie
traces OF Nelly's boots. Now. there
was the trail of another horse. and By
the deep indentation Harry Barry
,, knew that they had been hard ridden.
10 looked ahead where the haxy cut.
line Of the Flower ranges might afford
Z refuge for the elopers. He looked
behind him and saw a man pounding
along On a tall, rawboned white horse.
"OId man Snyder and riding like the
DEVIL" be muttered. Hope be doesn't
pick me for Russell. I'll have to get q
drop on him 6rst." He flashed out his
pistol and had Mr.. Snyders fat hands
high In the air a. soon az be heard the
young cattleman's stern command.
IVY. Mr.. Barry. think you must
mistake me fer a rustler-eh?'' be smil.
ed ingratiatingly at Harry Barry.
ITS best to be sure. you know. Mr..
Snyder" grinned Harry impudently.
by the way you was lighting after me
] got the idea you was trying to run
me Oh the range. and you know M
Lone Bull fellows don't let nobody do
that"
"Oh. no. fur from such bizness:" ex
planned Mr.. Snyder impatiently. II
gotta more important matter. That
blamed scOundrel of a jim, Russell. he
run away with my daughter. my Lon.
Use! IL catch EN- III skin him alive e
III he don't skin you trst." said
Harry Barry cO0ily.
why should be skin me. ch:" sput.
tered Mr.. Snyder. What have I done
to him. en-"
"You've taken away his character.
you KNOW"
Mr.. Snyder stared incredulously.
"Taken away his character!" he said
slowly. wy man. | didn't know jim
Russell had any character"
'Can you prove it!"
The father Of Louise scratched his
ear thougbtfully. II can't prove II
this mint" he admitted guardpdiy.
but l reckon l could by writing down
to Arizona. where he's from
II wouldn't do it," advised Hurry
Barry. Jim Russell will probably bt'
married TO Louise by that time. and
anything you said against him would
only be a reflection on your own fam.
lily. How would you like to have any.
body stir up your pasty' he asked 10.
nocently.
Casper Snyder started violently and
looked at Harry Barry keenly. what
do you mean" he demanded. with a
red face.
"what I said" returned Harry. flick.
ing the reins on his horses neck.
"You going my way. Mr.. Snydery'
The elder man looked down Mt the
ground and bit his lips thoughtfully.
II he pursued Jim Russell to the denth.
a. he had planned 10 his first burst Of
vengeful fury. neutrality-suspicious. this
impudent young Barry might revive
some OF those old rumors which had
preceded bis own advent into this cat
tie country. Possibly he might find
q place for Louise's husband on his
ranch and thus keep his favorite
daughter at home. At the same time
be could keep an eye on his son.in.law.
II think III 60 home" be said alb
ruptly. III you should meet up with
my daughter, Mr.. Barry. you kin tell
her that her father says be don't mind
II she takes ride with-with that Jim
Russell. but that he commands her to
come home and get marriedw
"l'll tell her." said Harry Barry
heartily as he waved a farewell at the
old man and went on his way.
When be reached the cool shadows
Of the Flower range he eased bis horse
and rode with slackened rein. He was
dead tired. and the day was almost
spent. As yet he had not come up
with the man who had taken bis horse.
He was riding up a little canyon
when the rattle of falling stones
brougb. rim sharply face about. and
he saw the man he was looking for
not ten feet to the right Of him. Jim
Russell. white and desperate looking.
stood at bay behind the little black
horse Nelly. Louise Snyder was no.
where In sight. but Harry Barry had
no doubt her fair frightened face was
hidden behind TIE clu;np Ut dwarfed
pines.
"Welly he said sharply 10 Russell
without making a move to draw his
weapons. although six sIioo'er glran-
ed In the others hand
Russell drew near until be WAS close
beside bic pursuer. Il took yorr horse.
Harry" he whispered hca;Seiy. hut