The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-10

10 recognize him under that resnect.
 able name. But I knew his vo,c. .h,
 moment he entered the cabin and real.
 Ized that some deyilment was afoot
 livery town along this frontier has his record, and I've met him mavha .
 dozen times In the past three vears
 He is known as Black Bart ,s n
 gambler by profession, desperado hv
 reputation. and cur by nature Juat
 now suspect him of being even daen- ar in the mire than this"
 He could tell by the quick clasn,,y
 of her hands on the pommel of tbe
 saddle the effect of his words. but
 faited until ths silence compelled her
 D speak
 -Oh. didn't knowi You do not be-
 heve that l ever suspected such A
 thing? That I ever met him there
 understanding who he was"
 No. do not" he answered. What overheard between you convinced me you were the victim of deceit. Bat your going to that place a;one was A most reckless act"
 She lifted her hand to her eyes her head dropping forward.
 Wasn't 1t what he told me-the out-station of ranch?"
 No; have ridden this country for years, and there is no ranch pasturinc cattle along the Salt Fork. Miss Hope, want you to comprehend what it is you have escaped from; what you are now fleeing from. Within the last two years an apparently organized body or outlaws have been operating throughout this entire region. Often 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- tles believe that Indians were guilty of their deeds of murder and robbery. Both troops and volunteers have tried to hold the gang up, but they scatter and disappear, as though swallowed by the desert. have been out twice, hard on their trail, only to come back baffied. Now. think accident has given me the clue
 She strengthened up; glancing ques- tioningly at him through the dark ness.
 This Is what I mean, Miss Hope. suspect that cabin to be the rem dezvous of those fellows, and I half | believe Hawley to be their leader"
 Then you will report all this to the 
 He smiled grimly. his lips com ssessed
 T hardly think so; at least, not for be present. I am not blood-thirsty, | ar enamored of manhunting, but I | jAppen to have personal interest in this particular affair which 1 should | prefer to settle alone" He paused, l swiftly reviewing the circumstances ,f their short acquaintance. and as suddenly determined to trust her dis ,retion. Deep down In his heart he | -atner wanted her to know. The fact ,f the matter is, that Neb and here were the ones that particular posse were trailing"
 "You." her voice faltered. He said those men were under arrest or murder, and had broken jail"
 He also said 1t was easy to con yict men In this country If you only lnew how It is true we broke jail. ut only in order to save our lives, 1t vas the only way Technically, we Ire outlaws, and now run the risk of immediate re-arrest by returning forth of the Arkansas. We came to ,ou fugitives; 1 was charged with murder, the negro with assault. So. 'ou see, Miss Hope. the desperate lass of men you are now associating with"
 The slight bitterness In his tone tung the girl into resentment. She vas looking straight at him. but in ne glOOn He COuiu HOt uiSCcfh tuc sxpre ssion of her eyes.
 T don't believe it. she exclaimed leclsively. "you-you do not look like hatl"
 My appearance may be sufficient to you," he returned, rather dry Y, but would weigh little before < Western court. Unfortunately, thu ,vidence was strong against me; or would have been had the case ever ,ome to trial. The strange thing bout 1t was that both warrants were worn out by the same complainant, md apparently for similar purpose Black Bart Hawley."
 What purpose?"
 ITO keep us from telling what we new regarding certain crime, in which either he, or some of his inti. nate friends, were deeply interested"
 ar.,k {t ..,n,,IJ all coma ot1t af fhQ