The evening world., 1912-01-10
CHAPTER XIII.
tContinuod.l
At the Edge of the Cotton
pOOd.

tDtut1nlH Ttll lUAfTtSNlN
over OH Rear Flat. Now. I
shouldn't think you'd want to run
away from her"
The stfay-man's lips whitcncd n lit
tie. II don't think Mary Hadford Is
worryin' about me-" Nv said, steadily.
well. now" returned stafford. seTt-
ous again. then | reckon Leviatt had
Il wrong.
II expect he had II wrong.' answered
tho stray man shortly.
But stafford did not yield. lie had
dctermins-i to keep the ~stray-man Al
the Two Diamond and there wore other
arguments that he had not yet al.
vance, which might cause him tn stay
lie looked up again. his face wearing a
thoughtful expression.
II reckon you remember our con-
tract?" he questioned.
The stray-man nodded. Il was 10 md
out who was stoalin' your CATTLE he
said.
stafford smiled slightly. Correct"
he returned. You've showed me two
thieves. But n while x ! heard you
say that there was two more. Our con
tract amt fulfilled until you show me
them too. You reckon
The stray-nan drew n deep. resigned
breath. II expect that's right" he ad-
mit,cd. 'Bu I've told you where you
can ind them. All you've got to do Is
to ride over there an catch them"
Starord's smile widencd "A little.
SURE he returned. 'tiat's all I've
got 20 do. An I'm goin' to do II. But
I'm wantin' my range boss tn take
charge Of the outfit that's goln' over to
ketch them"
Your range boss?' said Ferguson. a
flash Of interest In his ewes. why.
your range boss amt here any more"
stafford leaned forward. speaking seri-
ously.
I'm taikin' to my range boss right
now" he said significantly.
Ferguson started. and "A tinge Of slow
color came into his face. lie drew a
deep breath and took n step forward
but suddenly he halted. his lips straight
eninx again.
I'm thankln' you,' no said slowly
"Rut I'm lcavin' tho Two Diamond.
I'm carryin' out our contract though.
Something over two hours later INC
Two Diamond OUTFIT. headed by the stray
man. clat,ered down into a little basin
whore Ferguson had seen the cabin tvs
days before. As the Two Diamond men
came to within "a hundred feet OF the
cabin two men who had been at wort
In n small corral suddenly dropped th,ir
branding Irons and bottled toward tha
cabin, But before they had time 10
reach the door tho Two men
had surrounded them. sitting grimly
md silently In their saddles. Several oil
Starford's mcn had drawn their weap-
ons. but were now returning them "a
their holsters. for neither OF ihe I'VE
men was armed. They stood within the
rim circle. embarrassed. their h"ius
bowed, their attitude revealing th.li
plaine at having been caught so easily
one OF the men, u clear. steady-cyed eel
low. laughed frankly.
well, we're plum easy. amt we
1oys?" lie said. looking around at the
silent group
An hour later ten OF the Two Diamond
men, accompanied by Stafford and the
stray-nan, lopcd their horses out on th'
claims toward the river. II was u sflnl
company On u grim mission ana the
men forborc to joke as they rode
through the dust and Sunshine OF the
afternoon. Ferguson rode slightly "
advance. silent. rigid In the saddlc, not
even speaking to stafford, VINO rode
near him
A little while before sunset the caval-
cadc rode to the edge OF the cottonwood,
stafford halted his pony and looked al
Ferguson, but the stray-man had seen
enough tragedy for one day anu ne
shook his head. sitting gloomily in the
saddle
'rm val,ln' here" he said simply.
'"T'hcre'n he enough In there to de- II
without me"
The clc1r-cyed man looked ~ him
with "A grim smile.
Why" no said. "You aln't go.n' ln|'
his eyes lighted for an instant. i
reckon you're plum white" he declared
"you Amt amin to see any free
show"