The evening world., 1912-12-17

i boy from inc SlTCl0 S0J n8O
been in the vicinity looking
for diazlston's catt1A, had met
u1u&41 Nellie and had stopped At tho
cnttn. He remembered to have heard
Morton say mat he was sending . man
IN that direction some tirne that day.
That must be the explanation. But
while he sat. debating tho propriety OF
riding down 10 tho cabin TO satisfy his
curiosity. the sound OF a pistol shot
foated 10 his ears on the slight breeze
that was blowing toward him.
He sat erect. his face paling. Then he
smiled again. He had been In the West
long enough to become acquainted With
the cowboy nature and he surmissd that
Nsliie's visitor was very likely exhibitins
his skill with the revolver. But he
turned his pony and urged II down the
slipping side Of the ridge. riding saowiy
in the direction OF the cabin.
After striking tho bottom OF the oiops
he rode out upon q broad isvel that
stretched away for half . rniie. He
made better time here and had almost
covered half the width Of the plain whsa
two more reports reached his ears.
Tie was close enough now to hear
them distinctly. ana II seemed 10 him
that they sounded muffied. He halted
the pony and sat stifriy In the saddle. his
Caze on the cabin. Then no saw q thin
stream OF blue-white smoke issue from
the doorway and curl laxily upward.
A grave doubt assailed him. No cow
boy would be likely to exhibit his SKIN
with . weapon in tho cabin! Nellis's
visitor must be an unwelcoms onef
Tho pony felt the sudden spairs aad
raced Ike a whlrlwind over tho remain
Ing stretch Of plain. Hollis had become
sudd emily i'm busd with . ssspacion that
brought an aShen palior to his face and
an swfu. rago into his frsart
He slid his pony down one side of a
steep arroyo. sent II scrambling up the
other side. Jumped II over some rocks
thai Uttered the rise. spurred savagely
through a little basin, and reaching the
edge OF the porch. dlsmounted and
bounded TO the door.
He saw two ngurss--Neliie HazIeton
and a man. lie saw the mans fingers
gripping the girls throat ana the lust
0f murder surged over and blind ed him.
In the dusk that had fallen he could
only dimiy see tho mans head and he
swung his right fist at It, putting every
ounce OF his strength into the blow. He
felt tta INST strike. realized that II had
glanced. and tried 10 recover for a Sec
Dad blow.
But the terrific swing had carried him
or his balance He whired clear
around. slipred, and came down 10 the
ioor Nat on his face. lie was up IN an
instant, however. his brain anre with
rage, his muscles tingl!ns with eager
ness. lie did not think Of the gun At
~ h!p, for tho last OF murder was IN
his soul AMI No wanted only TO MT tho
man to seize HIM and tear him apart
n crush and SMASH The Vile hands that
No had seen At the g!rl3 throat.
Five feet from hdm, facing him, on
IT'S hands ard knees and scrambllng
to rise was the man, lie recognized
Yuma, and even as he bounded for
ward the latter gained his feet and
,ugs'd AT his gun holster Tho weapon
al not yet cleared the holster when
Tolls was upon him. -
lie struck again with his right hs.
and missed, crashing against Yuma IN
his eagerness and carrying him down
to the floor with force that shook
the cabin. . ~. they fell Hollis felt a