The Detroit times., 1913-05-12
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
The deserter Bquatted on his
launches and spat refiectively at the
fire; his mild blue eyes, large aud
oxlike. gazed into the dancing flames,
with an expression Of placid content.
stephen and Bughr0d lay on their
blankets, weary from the days travel.
Walsh was playing cards with the
two Transfers. Rogers leaned against
the wheel of one Of the wagons, with
Benny asleep In The shadow at his
sido.
The deserter nodded silently to each
IN turn and they as silently nodded
back to him. He glanced from the
group he had Joined to the group he
had just left. and a matter OF 90 feet
separated the two. The burly half
breeds sat motionless and erect In the
circle OF light cast by their campfire.
their blankets drawn about their
shoulders. The fur trader was deem
In earnest conversation with them and
the deserter, noting this. his face took
Oh q curious. puzzled expression: then,
with a lingering glance in Basil's d.
rection, he turned TO Stephen. He
jerked his thumb over his shoulder
He seems TO find plenty to say
when | Amt about Nj Iandray,
waites no name for the way you've
treated me. reckon I'd be mighty
lonely II I'd to mess steady with
them He spoke gratefully in q slow,
soft voice; he put up bis hands and
shielded his face from the camp-fire's
light and heat. "A week or so and I'll
be doing my best TO get friendly with
rather; but / reckon fatted calf won't
form no part of the first meal | set
down TO with him." and a shrewd, sly
smile curled his lips.
Ten days had elapsed since the
complete disruption of the party, when
Basil had cast his lot wholly with the
half-breeds. Hfs intercourse with his
cousins was now limited to the fewest
possible words. Not so the late Nom.
her OF the Mounted Rifles. Had he
been an ordinary rufian, they would
have regretted the evident preference
he bad displayed from the very first
Tor their society: but clearly he was
not an ordinary ruh1an. He appeared
b frank, simple soul; and even his
mortality. which was more than doubt.
nil. seemed entirely a matter Of acci.
dent, and something for which he
could not be held responsible. He
came and went freely between the two
camps: he treated all with the same
gentle Affection: he overlooked with
graceful considerate charity Of
deeds and he was helpful. not alone
In deeds, but words Of the most win
ming rriendliness accompanied all his
acte.
We can't be far from Green River"
be suggested tentatively.
Something less than 40 miles. I
should say" Stephen answered.
Raymond pondered this in silence.
but when he spoke again, he had an.
larently lost all interest concerning
their nearness to the river. I've
heard father say when Brigham
Young fetched the saints out hero.
he'd promised en- q land leaking with
milk and honey; the land about Salt
Lake looks as II it'll be a right smart
while before 1t does any leaking. The
trouble with this blame country Is
there's too much Of II. reckon It'll
tske a thousand years to All her up. -
he speculated idly.
WAS your father always a Nor
mon?" Stephen asked.
lie went into the business about
az early % any Of EN-. Mr.. LAndray.
Hes always had gift for religion.
Hes tried em all He was a Meth.
odist to begin with, but I've heard him
say he mighty early got discouraged
with that az . means Of grace; then
he took up with the Millerites, had
his robes ready and climbed up on the
housetop to set his start for the king.
dom come. You've heard Of tho Mi.
lerites. I reckon?''
"Oh. yes" Stephen said: he added !:
Religion doesn't seem TO have occu.
pied your thoughts to any extent.
should have imagined, with such an
example before you"
Me? Oh. no; don't 500 no rea.
son for worry. ! figure Il out this
way: always bean lucky, and I sort
OF look for some one 70 snake me in
and say Why. how are you. Ray
mond? I'm mighty surprised to see
you here"
They'll hardly say less than that"
observed Stephen drlly.
The deserter meditated IN silence
for . moment. and when he spoke
again It was with an air OF amiable
tolerance.
Yes, sir. father was 20 certain sure
he'd never have any more use for Il
that he gave away 40 good q farm as
ever lay out doors. He wanted 10
feel that nothing was holding him 10
earth"
(ooWtinuso.)
TON C(A DIT A NT nvyHNyo