The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-24
Continued from Last Issue.)
CHAPTER XIV.
m. LandIady Of the ooeIden.aI.

The Lanciauy or me Occtuenkals
 Keith had crossed at this point so freouently with cattle that once hay Ing his bearings. the blackness of ths night made very little difference Nevertheless, in fear lest her pony might stumble over some irregularity, he gave his own rein to Neb, and went forward on foot, grasping firmly the fired animals bit. It was a long stretch of sand and water extending from bank to bank. but the water was shallow, the only danger being that of straying off from the more solid bottom Into quicksand. With a tower ing cottonwood as guide, oddly mis- shapen and standing out gauntly against the slightly lighter sky, the plalnsman led on unhesitatingly, until they began to climb the rather sharp uplift of the north bank. Here there was a plain trail, pounded into smooth ness by the hoofs of cavalry horses ridden down to water. and at the sum- nit they emerged within fifty yards of the stables.
 The few lights visible, some station ary, with others dancing about like will-o,the-wisps. revealed imperfectly the contour of various buildings, bus Keith turned sharply to the right, anx. ious to slip past without being chai enged by a sentry. Beyond the brow of the bluff other lights now became visible, fiickering here and there, marking where struggling town had sprung up under the protection of the post-a town garish enough in the daylight, composed mostly of shacks and tents, but now with its deficien- cies mercifully concealed by the en. veloping darkness. The trail. easily followed. led directly along its single street, but Keith circled the outskirts through wilderness of tin-cans and heaps of other debris. until he halted his charges beside the black shadow of the only two-story ediice In the place. This was the Occidental, the hospitality of which he had frequently tested.
 A light streamed from out the front windows but. uncertain who might be harbored within. Keith tapped gently at the back door. It was not opened immediately, and when 1t was finally showed aside the merest crack. 10 glow of light revealed the darkened Interior. The voice which spoke, how tver. was amply sufficient to identify it's owner.
 'Ts that ye agin. Murphy. a playin av yer dirthy thricks7"
 No. Mrs Murphy" he hastened to explain. this is Keith--Jack Keith. of the Bar K"
 -The Lord deliver usi" was the in- stant exclamation. the door opening wide. They do be afther tellin me tonight av the throubIe ye was in over at Carson. an Oi fought maybe ye moight turn up this way. It was nate trick ye played on the ioikes av 'em. Jack, but this Is dom poos place fer ye ter hide in. Bedad. there's halfdozen in the parly now talkin about it, wid couple av officers from the fort. Is the nager wid yer"
 Yes. but we have no intention of hiding here. I'd rather take my chance in the open. The fact Is, Kate, We started of for the Bar K
 "Av course. ye did Oi was shure av it."
 But down on the Salt Fork we ran across young girl whom Black Bart had tnvefoIad doun fhaf uav on A lie We had bit of fight, and got her away from him. This is what brought us back hereto put the girl where she will be safe out of his clutches"
 The door was wide open now, and Mrs. Murphy outside, her Interest at fever heat.
 "Ye had foight wid Black Barti Oh. ye diyil! An ye licked the dirthy