Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-09

caused him to break the silence.
"You are evidently accustomed to
riding, Miss Hope"
She glanced across at him through
the darkness, as though suddenly sur
prised from thought, her words not
coming quickly.
Il cannot remember when I first
mounted horse; in earliest child
hood. surely, although l have not rid
den much of late This one is like a
rocking chair"
He belonged to your friend, Mr..
Hawley"
She drew quick breath, her face
again turned forward.
"Who-who is that man? Do you
know?"
II possess passing acquaintance"
ne answered, uncertain yet how much
to tell her, but tempted to reveal all
,, In test of her real character. Few do
not who live along the Kansas Dor
DER
DO you mean he Is VIGOROUSLY
bad character?"
II have never heard of his being
held up as model to the young, Miss
Miss Hope" he returned more soberly,
convinced that she truly possessed no
real knowledge regarding the man,
and was not merely pretending inno-
cence. Il had never heard him called
Hawley before, and, therefore, failed
to recognize him under that respect
able name. But knew his voice the
moment he entered the cabin, and real
ICED that some devilment was afoot
Every town along this frontier has his
record, and I've met him maybe a
| dozen times in the past three years.
He is known as Black Bart is
gambler by profession, desperate by
reputation, and cur by nature. Just
now | suspect him of being even deep
er in the mire than this"
| He could tell by the quick clasping
of her hands on the pommel of the
saddle the effect of his words, but
waited until the silence compelled her
to speak.
"Oh. didn't know You do not be-
lieve that l ever suspected such a
thing? That l ever met him there
understanding who he was?"
mo. do not" be answered. What
overheard between you convinced
me you were the victim of deceit But
your going to that place alone was q
most reckless act"
She lifted her hand to her eyes, her
head dropping forward.
Wasn't it what he told me-the
out-station of ranch?"
No; have ridden this country for
years, and there is no ranch pasturing
cattle along the Salt Fork Miss Hope,
want you to comprehend what 1t is
you have escaped from; what you are
now fleeing from Within the last two
years an apparently organized body
of outlaws have been operating
throughout this entire region. Often
times disguised as Indians, they have
terrorized the Santa Fee 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-
ties believe that Indi, were guilty
| OF their deeds of murde. md robbery.
Both troops and volunteers have tried
and disappear, as though swallowed
by the desert. l have been out twice.
hard on their trail, only to come back
baffled. Now, think accident has
given me the clue"
She Strengthened up; glancing ques-
tioningly at him through the dark
ness.
This Is what mean, Miss Hope.
suspect that cabin to be the rem
devious Of those fellows, and half
believe Hawley to be their leader"
Then you will report all this to the
authorities? 2"
He smiled grimly, his lips COM
pressed.
Il hardly think so at least, not for
the present am not blood-thirsty,
or enamored of man-hunting but I
happen to have personal interest In
this particular affair which l should
prefer to settle alone" He paused,
swiftly reviewing the circumstances
Of their short acquaintance, and as
suddenly determined to trust her dis
erection. Deep down in his heart he
rather wanted her to know The fact
Of 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
for murder, and had broken jail"
He also said it was easy to con.
Wet mon in this country If you only
knew how 1t is true we broke Jail
but only in order to save our lives; 1t
was the only way. Technically, we
are outlaws. and now run the risk OF
immediate re-arrest by returning
north of the Arkansas. We came to
you fugitives; l was charged with
murder, the negro with assault So
you see, Miss Hope, the desperate