The Detroit times., 1913-05-14
The Fortunes of the LandrayS
ssuxs. By Vaughan Hester Author Of 1 F rs%a. s
Author OF 1.-THE Prodigal Judge"
lust and the Unjust" etc.

the (hOtefa ndu lUFnSu PACK lHOIsalus
before a quarter OF their jorney ned
been completed.
With his shifty eyes narrowed TO a
slit. the deserter watched the Cali
fornian he could see something OF
what was passing IN his mind and ne
could guess the rest; yet when he
spoke again he said.
II reckon You dent take any great
stock In what I'm telling you; come
up 10 the top OF yonder ridge and YOU
can see our camp. and that us ex'
actly as | say"
This was the very thing Rogers mad
resolved on doing,
I'm going with you all right. but
look here. if you so much as make
sign or a sound. TO let 'em know
we're close AT hand. I'm going to blow
the top of your head off Here, walk
before me. and heed every word say.
II | find you're telling me the truth
about its being party Of Mormon
missionaries. III bring YOU back here
and turn you loose. Well leave your
gun here"
That's fair enough. said Ray
mond genially. We'll | certainly am
proud 10 see you. though | took you
for a redskin first of; lucky you
spoke"
II allow II was a sight luckier FOR
me got you covered first. said Ros-
ers sourly. GO ahead now. and mind
you, no. noise
II was evident, however, that the
deserter felt he had quite as much at
stake as Rogers himself. for he ad-
vanced cautiously through the thicket
that clothed the base of the hill. Rog.
ers followed him with his rifle held
ready for instant use. but no thought
was further from Raymond's mind
than betrayal At first he had felt the
desperate need OF some explanation.
that would account for his presence
there; and the story he had finally
told had seemed TO him TO cover the
case and TO leave no reasonable room
for doubt in Rogers's mind.
AS they neared the top OF the ridge
he threw himself fat on his stomach
and wormed his way up toward its
broken crest, and Rogers keeping
close at his heels followed his ex-
ample. He gained the crest, and peer
ing about the base OF a stunted pine,
found that he was looking down into
a snug pocket of the hills, and so close
to the camp that he might have tossed
his cap into it, though II lay far be-
low him He counted eighteen or
twenty picketed horses: number or
men were moving about, and a glance
told him they were white men. He
looked long and earnestly, and then
turned to Raymond with a frankly
puzzled expression. The deserter was
smiling and triumphant.
Want | should take you into
camp" he asked in an eager whisper,
but Rogers shook his head: he was
rot convinced. yet why and what he
doubted was more than be could have
told.
We'll go back" he said at last. Go
frst;". and they descended the ridge
in silence. Rogers was vainly seek
ing to fit some explanations to the
mystery, beyond Raymonds words.
When they reached the scene OF their
original encounter, he paused for an
instant
II reckon you'll have 10 go on with
me for a little spell before turn you
loose he said. No. you can come
back here and get your gun when I'm
through with you,' and he laughed
shortly
"Oh. all right" said Raymond cheer
fully. It's just as you say"
You bet it's as I say" and he mo-
toned the deserter TO precede him
again.
They crossed the ridge that lay be-
tween them and the pass.
Il reckon this'l do" said Rogers.
II sha'n't want you TO go any further.
Look here, the Landrays treated you
all right"
They did indeed" said Raymond
gratefully.
We'll what are those men yonder
in camp for?"
II just got through telling yos that.
Mr.. Rogers" responded Raymond with
an injured air The outfits bound
for the States. Old Brigham reckons
you goddess cusses back East need
some converting; that's what he's ep
| to, and I'm helping rush em TO the
river"
I'm pretty certain you're lying
whatever you say" observed Rogers
We'll. sir. I've fooled people telling
them the truth" retorted Raymond
But that was their own fault"
81 reckon maybe that's So" said
Rogers.
This is a mighty one-sided CONVEX.
sation anyway you look at It," said
the deserter pleasantly. and smiling
without offence. mo. sir. I'm telling
you God Almighty's truth, they are
! Mormon missionaries going back to
the States"
(Continued)