Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-21
CHAPTER XIV.
The LandIady Of the Occidental,

night made very little difference.
Nevertheless. in fear lest her pony
might stumble over some irregulerity,
he gave hts own rein to Neb. and went
forward on foot, graspins firmly the
tired animals bit. 1t was a long
stretch OF sand and water extending
from bank to bank. but the water was
shallow. the only danger being that
of straving off from the more solid
bottom into quicksand. With a tower
ing cottonwood as guide, oddly mis-
shapen and standing out gauntlv
against the slightly lighter sky. the
plainsman led on unhesitatingly. until
they began to climb the rather sharp
uplft OF the north bank. Here there
vas 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
airy. with others dancing about like
will the wisps, revealed irperfectly
the contour of various buildings, but
Keith turned sharply to the right, anx-
ious to slip past without being chal'
lenged by a sentry. Beyond the brow
OF the bluff other lights now became
visible fickering here and there,
marking where a 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 mercifuily concealed by the en-
veloping darkness. The trail. easily
followed, led directly along its single
street, but Keith circled the outskirts
through a wilderness Of tin-cans and
heaps OF other debris. until he halted
his charges beside tie black shadow
CT the only tvo-stcry edifice 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. 1t was not
opened Immediately, and when 1t was
finally showed aside the merest crack,
no glow of light revealed the darkened
interior. Tie voice which spoke, how
ever. wss SIMPLY sufficient to Identify
its owner.
as that yc agin. Murphy. a playin'
av yer dtrthy thrici;s?'
NO, Mrs Murphy" he fastened to
explain. this is Keith-Jack Keith,
Of the Bar ~"
NThe Lord deliver us." was the In
slant rXcian alton, the door opening
wide They do be afthcr tellin' mo
tonight ay the throube We was in
over at Carson an OF fought maybe
Ee moight turn up this way. It was
nate trick we played on the loikes
az EN-. Jack, but this is dom poor
place fcr We ter hide in. Bedad, there's
a halfopGcn in the party now talkin'
about IT, wild couple av officers from
the fort. Is the mayer wild ye?"
Yes, but We have no intention Of
hiding here. I'd rather take my
chance in this open. The fact is, Kate
We started OF for the Bar X
"Av course, ye did, Oh was shure av
It,"
Put down on the Salt Fork we ran
across young girl whom Black Bart
had inveisled down that way on lie.
We had bit Of Sight, 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.
I'VE had foight wild Black Bart!
Oh, ye divil. An We licked the dirthy
spaipane, an got away wild his gyurl!
Glory be! And would OF take her?
Well, OF would Niver doubt that, me
bye, She may be the quans az Elaba,
an she may be Digger Injun Snuaw,
but the loiEes av him had better kape
away from Kate Murphy. It's glad
Oi am ter do it! Bring her in. OF
don't want ter hear no more"
Just word, Kate; | don't know
whether che has any money or not
but I'll pay her bill, as soon as it is
safe for me to come back"
"Oh, the divil take her bill Shell
have the best in the house, annyhow
an Oi'm only hopin' that fellow vii
turn up huntin' her. Ord loihe tel
take one slap at the spalpane.
Fully convinced as to Mrs. Murphy
goodwill, Keith slipped back into thu
darkness, and returned with the gigl
Introduotions were superiuous, as thu
mistress of the Occidental cared littl'
regarding ceremony.
AN is this you, my dear?" sh
voice To eecretiYe sortness, "Shure
Jack Keith has told me all about II
en- it's safe 1t is yer goin' ter be here
Come on in; ORR give We numbe
forty-two, thet's next behint ma owl
room, an wen go up the back sthair'
Hip the young loidy, Jack, fer shur
ye know the way"
She disappeared, evidently wit
some hospitable purpose in view, an
Keith, ciasping ne girls hand, under
took the delicate task OF safely escort
ing her through the dark Kitchen, all
up the dimly remembered stairs. Onl
a word or two passed between then
but as they neared the second story
light suddenly streamed out throug
the opened door Of a room at thei
LETT. Mrs, Murphy greeted them q
the landing, and for tie first time cay
the girls weary white face, her eye
filled with appeal, and tho warm Iris
heart responded Instantly
aye poor little lamb; it's the bi