The Detroit times., 1913-05-22
CHAPTER TWENTY.

EpnTlam Raymond, StanQlng In the |
doorway Of his ranch house, we'll
within the shadow Of the foothills. was
watching two horsemen as they crept !
along the trail
To the west, where the land drop |
red from bench TO bench until 1t final
ly found the level of the fat valley
with its farms and irrigating bitches.
lay Great Salt Lake: q CLEAN Of sun
light was reflected on the water. and
few misty clouds low In the sapphire
light betokened Its nearness.
A year before. and the trail had
been lily marked through the noun
|. tains; and scarcely more than trace.
as il crossed the desert beyond, where
II wound its course from failing
streams which fought the dry. thirsty
sands. on to brackish water holes that
to drink from. But that single season
had altered without lessening it's ter
rors. II was heavy now with alkali
dust. dry with the seasons rainless
| suns. and fine with the grinding
wheels OF freight and emigrant was-
ons; It was further marked by the
bones OF cattle and horses. No one
could mistake It now.
Ephriam saw that they we're mounted
on mules, and that one Of them. q
gaunt. redIwhiskered fellow, shared
his saddle with child.
rs this heah Raymond's settle
ment?" the latter demanded. refining
in his mule before the ranch house
door.
Yes" answered Ephriam. Wont
you light DOWN." he added. He was
kindly. venerable man. with
patriarchal beard aud long. grey hair;
there was more than a touch Of the
ministerial In the decent black broad
cloth suit he wore; the fact that he
was collarless, and that his trousers
were tucked In at the tops Of his
heavy boots. did not detract in the
least from his palpable pulpit dignity.
I'VE will, elder. II it's agreeable to
you, and we'd admire to All up on
kitchen victuals.' And the red whis-
kered man drew the back Of his hand
across his bearded lips.
You're just in time" said Ephriam
smiling.
II told you, Jim! Elder, smelt 'em
from the moment we broke out OF the
hills" He lifted the boy down az he
spoke. and making q common move
ment with Jim. swung himself stihly
from the saddle; q half-grown boy had
appeared from the direction OF the
corrals. and at q sign from Ephriam
led away the mules.
Are there no more OF your party
,coming" said the old man.
What's left OF us is right heah.
elder" answered the Missourian; then
he saw that EphriAm was regarding
Benny curiously. "Oh, him? You
allow he don't belong to either Jim
or me-and you're right, elder. for he
don't
Dphriam turned on him with unex-
pected sternness at this.
Perhaps that 10 your excuse for his
condition." and he pointed to the
child. whose white. scared face wore
. preternatural look OF age and sui.
fering; and whose tattered clothes
scarcely covered his pinched little
body; while his hands and bare feet
we're cruelty torn and bruised.
We'll. sir. I admit he Amt much
to brag on, and his looks II q scandal
to this OUTFIT. We picked him up
only four days back: he says he'd run
ON from tho redskins. He'd most
STAYED to death"
His own gaunt frame and hollow
cheeks. however. told plainly OF the
handships all had endured. the lack
Of food had not been the least OF
these Ephriam's face softened
Yes" he said. In apology for his
momentary suspicion. Il can see you
have suffered"
But you have got q fine climate,
elder" broke In the Missourian, bent
on being conciliatory. Jim and me
noticed that right along, This IL the
place to come for climate: there's
nothing else heah TO take your mind
of II; it's heah thick"
But Ephriams glance had gone back
to the child.
Poor little fellow. Some emigrant's |
bow, probably"
Benny looked VI quickly into his J