The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-28
THE FARMER: JANUARY 28, 1911

start he sat bolt upright. A moment later he darted out into the open.
 He was thrilled with a sudden wild hope. The sound was that of ar aninal-or possibly animals-mak. ing their way through the thorns Could it be that the cattle had re. turned?
 No. His hopes were dashed almost immediately.
 The bushes suddenly parted, and Ferman Elwood rode into the clear ing.
 He rode straight towards the star. ing man, but his eyes were quietly viewing the camp, from the wagon with it's trek-chain and ueck-yoke strung out ahead of it as though only just awaiting the inspanning Of the oxen, to the fire and the litter ol cooking utensils lying adjacent. The owner of these things seemed to con- cern him least of all.
 He drew his horse up and dis mounted, and his greeting came in a monosyllabic inquiry.
 "Well?" he said, and his eyes rest. ed dispassionately on the others darE features.
 It was that. greeting, the slightly ironical tone of it, that suddenly awoke the other to a full realization of something which until then had not even suggested itself to his harassed mind.
 From the time of his starting out on his journey he had feared inter ference from this man; he had anti cipated it the whole way, and yet the surest possible bar to his progress had happened without his associatins the matter with him. Blind fool that he had been. idiot, madman. He cursed himself furiously. The loss ot his cattle was this mans work.
 AS he stood without making any answer Elwood went on
 Hadn't we better move over to the shelter of the waggon?" he sug- gested. Its devilish hot out here and I've had long ride in the open.'
 Heedless of what the other said Guy concentrated all his feelings in- to one sharp demand.
 Where are the cattle?" he cried his dark face set; desperate light in his black eyes. He had suddenly thrust himself before the big man directly between him and the wag- gon, and so barred his way.
 'I've come to discuss them, and other things, with you--in the shade of the wagon
 The two men looked, squarely into each others eyes, and, finally. Guy swung himself round and led the way in the desired direction.
 As they came to the vehicle he moved round to the tail of it as though to climb into the tent. But Elwood's voice checked him.
 ''In the shade underneath" he said quietly ''The tent would be impossi- ble in this heat"
 His meaning was plain enough tc the other He had no intention of taking any chances. He guessed thai Guys firearms were in the wagon The latter paused and swung round but his angry eyes might as well have questioned a stone image. He hesitated a moment, then turned away with a shrug and prepared to mount to the tent in spite of the warning. This time Elwood's words came short and sharp.
 Don't do it." he cried, and Guy glancing round saw that his hand was on the butt of a revolver.
 "Is it that?" he demanded coolly
 "Yes. if you are unreasonable There was a pause while again thei, eyes met. Then Elwood went on; Let us understand each other. There is going to be no trifling. I am not here for the pleasure of your com pany. but on business. You should know that. If you'll wait moment I'll just loosen my horses girths."
 "Very we'll" Guy flung himself upon the blankets under the wagon and began to fill his pipe. The others quiet manner was not without its effect upon him. He, too, became outwardly more cool, but his feelings were the feelings of Q weaker nature com pelled by stronger. Never ir his life had he hated so bitterly as he hated this man Just now.
 Cro Be Continued.)
 To clean enamoled wear, rub with fine rrou,,d plIr,ice Sfone