The evening world., 1912-08-22

/ ene placed Inc Wetor pail
down ana stood erect, facing
him scornfuily.
'weli. you did come TO the
Diamond Dot. didn't your" she said
looking steadily at him.
lie smiled. II wouldn't lie 10 you." he
returned boldly.
| She was far from being confused over
/ ths answer: her eyes dh not oven
waver. What did you come here forf"
she demanded.
well. now" ne returned. the odd
smile on his face. Il couldn't rightly
tell. Meboe It was because I wanted 70
get acquainted with you"
She placed her hands on her hips and
looked squarely at him. . determined
hight In her eyes. rs that the only
reason you had In coming here-to get
acquainted with me7' she demanded.
II reckon that was pretty good rea-
SON." he replied svasively.
Her eyes flashed. Il don't believe
youl" she declared.
lie laughed. 'Msbbs another reason
with mo-" he said.
she stamped one foot impattsntiy.
anger finding expression In her voice.
why didn't you 20 down tho river
with tho outft1" she demanded. why
were you riding I'm that directionF'
She pointed up the river.
The stranger had opened his lips to
reply, when from around q corner OF .
lean-to adjoining tho blacksmith shop
Gates appeared. lie had caught his
daughters question. ana as he came UP
10 her his eyes lighted aggresdvely.
~ reckon that I'm stlll runnin' this
ranch. Mary" he said. AN II hire .
man 20 do a thing Il amt for you to
be buttin' in. But I'm givin' you an
answer because TN interest some. This
man was rldin' up yesterday to look at
Dan Mil1er's layout"
II thought 60" returned Miss Oates
Her anger was suddenly gone. 8he
looked at her father dsfantiy: her eyes
flashed scornfully as her Eass rested
on the stranger. She ignored her father.
speaking 10 tho stranger.
why did you- want TO see MS
ranch7" she demanded.
"why. ma'am''-- began the stran-
ger. But Gates interrupted. his voice
brutal and harsh.
There's too many aeSters an cattle
thieves IN thhs country" he saAd ds-
nif,cantiy.
For an instant Miss Oates stood, hsr
face ashen. trying bravsly 70 reprsss
an exclamation OF horror over this
sudden manifestation OF her fathers
brutality. She knew OF his dislike Of
Dan. but Hnce she had made tho agree
ment with him she had not expected
him to adopt such methods to bring
about tho young mans downfall.
For nm instant tho world blurred. shs
swayed dizzily. Thsn she caught her
scN. heard her own voice as though
coming from great distance as she
spoke to the stranger.
80 you didn't come here for that
other purpose" she said. scorn and
mockery mingl,ng weakly in nor voice.
you are n professional Eunnghter ana
you have como hero 20 Diamond Dot
to kin Dan Mtlier''
The stranger smiled gravefy.
~ didn't come here TO kan anybody"
he said.
lie winked firtively Al Oates. and
the Inter grinned ms no strobe toward
the ranchhOuse. For moment the
stranger stood silent. watching him.
Then he turned TO the young woman.
who had caught up her water pail
preparatory 10 departing.
II don't mind telling You that your
dad has hired me 10 keep an eve out
for tho rustler that's been work,n' on
his herd" he said. II amt much
81 ruck on that kind OF Job an I
wouldn't have taken II II he hadn't
! said somethin' about his daughter
! beln' mixed up IN the deal. Him saytn'
/ that got me kind OF curious to see the
/ girl. reckon I've seen her."
lie laughed. hts 5yes narrowing curl
ously as he watched her
IT Amt got nothin' on Miner-yct."
he added slowly. II amt got nothin'
tagin him. except that you wouidn't
80 ridin' with me whom he waa
aroun4 - : : =. AkAkM