The evening world., 1912-03-09

NV
and abysm Of time!'"
As he looked into Ralston's non-com-
initial yes with his own burning orbs.
he realized that great JOY, like great
sorrow. Is something which cannot well
be shared.
Forgive me-" he said. with hurt dig
nifty; II have again forgotten that you
have no interest in such things"
You are mistaken. I wanted TO
hear"
After Macarthur had retired to his
pneumatic mattress Ralston lay wide
eyed. more mystihed than before. Had
Bear Chiefs eyes deceived him or was
Macarthur the cleverest OF rogues?
Breakfast was done when l:alston
said:
"wil you be good enous to step into
the bunk-house. Mr.. McArthur?'
Something in his voice chilled the sem
sitive a Ralston. whom he greatly
admired. always had been most fr,end-
~. lie followed him now In wonder.
You are sure this Is the man. Bear
Chief?"
The Indian had stepped forward at
their entrance.
"Yas. I know him. he reiterated.
Macarthur looked from one 70 the
other.
Bear Chief accuses you Of stealing
horses, MIR. Macarthur explained Rails
ton bluntly.
what
"You slick little horse thief. but I see
o good. Where you cache my race
pony?" The Indians demand was a
threat.
For reply Macarthur walked over and
sat down on the edge OF a bunk, as II
his legs of a sudden were too weak to
support him.
Bear Chief swears he saw ycI. Me-
Arthur" Ralston's tone was not un-
friendly now. for something within him
pleaded the bug-hunter's cause with
irritating persistence.
'.Me a horse thief? Running of
ponies?" Macarthur found himself
able to exclaim at last: But I had no
horse of my own"
Have you any notwithstanding
at all by which we can identify you"'
Not with me-: but certainly i "A
furnish them. The name OF Macarthur
IL not unknown In Connecticut" he
answered with a tinge Of pride.
d. Where are your riding-breeches?
Bear Chief says you were wearing
them yesterday. Can you produce
them now"
Macarthur with hauteur walked to
the nails where his wardrobe hung and
IumDleu IIIlOnB the Ciotiiub'
They were gone.
His Jaw dropped. and . slight pallor
overspread his face.
. Susie. who had been listening from
the doorway. flung q fiour-sack at his
feet.
Search my trunk. p%ardner." h said
with her old-time impish grin.
Macarthur mechanically did as she
babe him. and his riding.breeches
dropped from the sack.
II hope you'll 'scuse me for maxim
so free with your clothes, like" h
said. "but I Just naturally had to have
them yesterday"
A light broke in upon Ralston.
"You."
yep, I did II. m~e-Susie." Her tone
and manner were a ludicrous imitation
Of Smiths. She added: II saw you
all pikin' In here. SO l tagged"
But why'-Ralston stared at her in
incredulity-"why should you steal
horses?"
cts this way" Susie explained In a
loud. confidential whisper: i've been
playin' a little game of my own. When
the right time came. l meant to let Mr..
Ralston in on It. but when Bear Chief
my pardner hero from gettin' the
blame"
but the Decentralization still looked
sceptical.
Chief before he saw me. and ! Just TOOK
the black silk handkerchief from my
neck and tied It holdup fashion around
the lower part of my face. Bear Chief
was excited when he saw his running
horse travelling out Of the country at
the gait we was goin then
IT don't see yet. Susie?"
She turned upon Ralston In good-na-
tured contempt.
Goodness, but you're slow. Don't
YOU understand? Smiths my pal; we're
workin' together. He cooked this up
him takin' the safe and easy end OF 1t
himself. He sprung It on me that day
I had a sulk on. Don't you see his
game? He thinks II he can get me
mixed up In something crooked, he can
manage me-. He's noticed. maybe. that
I'm not halter-broke. So i pretended
TO fall right IN with his plans. once !
had promised. meanin' all the time to
turn states evidence. or whatever you
call Il, and send him over the road. I
wanted 70 show Mother and everybody
else what kind of a man he Is. ] don't
no step-papa named Smith"
The three men stared In amaZement
al the intrepid little creature with her
canny Scotch eyes.
And do you mean to say" Ralston
asked. that you've held your tongue
and played your part so well that Smith
has no suspicions?"
"Hatin' makes you smart" she an
swercd. land hate Smith so hard 7
sleep nights. No, ] don't think
Is suspicious: because I'm to pack
grub 10 him this morning, and n he was
OF me, he'd never let me know
he was camped. He's holdin' the
horses over there In a blind canyon.
and when 7 go over I'm to help him
blotch the brands"
1--WE want to get the drop on him
when he's using the brard!ng-iron."
"And you want 20 see that he shoves
his hands and keeps them there"
suggested Susie, further. for he'll take
big chances rather than have the
Schoolmarm see him ridln' to the
with his wrists tied to the
II know Rals'on knew even better
than susie that Smith would fch, like
a rat In a corner 10 avoid this posi-
blllty.
MY" and Susie gave All explosive
sigh. hut ia an awful relief not 10
that secret 20 pack around any
longer and to feel that I've 80, s5me-