The evening world., 1912-03-06
CHAPTER XII.
tContisusd.)
Smith Gets "Hunk."

- ORA found him = dense and
d~isaSreeabie pupil. and one
who seemingly had forgotten
everything he had learned
during previous lessons. His
replies At times were 10 curt
a. 10 ba u~ncivil. n = failing os In
~dignation rose within her. She was
at q loss to understand his mood. unless
Il Wal due to the result OF the morn
ing's race; yet she could scarcely be-
lieve that his disappointment, perhaps
chagrin, could o for his rude
ness TO her.
When the useless lesson was finished.
| she closed the book and asked:
you are not yourself tonight. What
II wrong?"
with an expression upon his face
| which both startled and shocked her he
snarled:
'Tm sick Of sss.n' that lady killer
hangin' around hers!"
you mean
"R~aistoni"
she looked at him now.
II beg to bc excused from your criti.
cipms Of Mr.. Ralston."
Smith had not dreamed that the gen
tie. giriish voice could take on such a
quality. II cut him. stung him. until no
felt hot and cold by turns.
"Oh. ! didn't know he was such .
friend" he sneered.
"Yes"-her eyes did not quail before
the look that famed In hls-"he Is Just
such a friendl"
They had risen; and Smith, looking at
her as she stood erect. her head high
In defiance. could have choked her In
his Jealous rage.
He stumbled rather than walked TO.
ward the door.
Good night he said In a strained.
throaty voice.
Good night"
She stared Mt the door as II closed be-
hind lin. She had something OF tho
feeling OF one who. making u pet Of .
tiger. feels It's claws for the nrst m
sees the hrst indication OF its ferocious
nature. This new phase Of smiths char.
acter. while It ansered, also hi'ed her
with uneasiness.
II was later thar usual when Smith
came In to say a word 20 the Indian
woman, after Dora AMI Susie had re-
tired. He did not bring with him the
fumes Of tobacco. the smoke OF which
rose In clouds In the b~unk-house, max
ing Il all hut impossible to see the length
VI the building; he brought. rather. an
odor of freshness. a feeling Of GOODNESS,
~ thouGn ne hau peeh i""s ""s"s
air.
The Indian woman shifted impsr-
ceptibly.
where you beenT"
Ills look was evil as he answered:
"Me9 I've been payin' my debts. me
smith"
lie took her impa ssive hand In both
Of hts and pressed II against his heart.
"PrpIre Flower" he said. II want you
20 tell Ralston TO 60. hate him.
The looked at him. but did
not answer.
"wlll youF"
"Yes, ! tell him"
when"
She raised her narrowing eyes to his.
When you tell de white woman 10
GO"
Ralston had felt that the old Colonel
was growing Impatient with MS seenlns
Inactivity, so he decided the next morn
| ing 10 ride 10 the Bar G and tell him
ina, he believed he had a clue. II would
no, he necessary to keep Running nan
IN under close surveillance until the
heef in the meat-housc was getting low
| Thcn the deputy sheriff meant not 10
let him out OF his sight.
smith had not spoken to the man
whom he had ONE 10 regard as his
r.ysi since he had ridden away from
him the morning before. he had
ignored Ralston's conversation at the
table and avoided him In the bunk
house. Now. engaged In trimming ms
horses fetioclrs. Smith did not look up
n. Inc other man passed. but his eyes
followed him with a triumphant CLEAN
az he went into the stable to saddle
Molly.
pai.tor hacked the mare to turn her