The evening world., 1914-01-31
Bv Robert W. Chambers

boscd that, too; she could almost reel
his fingers, and the words no hau
uttered then were fresh In her mem
ory:
i've treated you mean. Shoiia-
about as mean as a inaa could treat
n woman. I am sorry. l want you
to believe that. And maybe some
day--when this business In over
you'll understand and forgive me.
There had been mystery In his ac-
tons ever since she had seen him
the first time, and though she could
not vet understand II. she had dis
covered that there were forces AT
WORK in his AFFAIRS which seemed to
Indicate that no had not told her that
for the purpose OF attempting to JUS
tify his previous actions.
Evidently, whatever tho mystery
that surrounded him, her father ana
Duncan were concerned In u. ana
this thought spurred her on. for II
gave her a keen delight to think
that she was arrayed against them.
even though she were on the side OF
the man who had wronged her.
He, at least, had not been con-
cerned In the plot to murder Doubler
When she reached the last rise--on
the crest OF which she had sat on
her pony on the morning following
her marriage to Dakota In the cabin
from which she had seen the parson
riding away-she was trembling with
eagerness and dread for fear that
something might happen before she
could arrive. II WINS three miles
down slope, and when she reached
tho level there was Dakotas cabin
before her.
She drew her pony to a walk. for
she saw men grouped In front ot the
cabin door, saw Dakota there him
self. standing In the open doorway.
There were no evidences Of the con-
fiict which she had dreaded. She
had arrived in time.
Convinced Of this. she felt for the
FIRST time her physical WEAKNESS, and
she leaned forward on her pony. hold
ing to Its name for support. APP
preaching the cabin slowly. :.
Her father was there. she observed
a. she drew nearer; and three
strangers-and Allen! And near Al
len, sitting on his horse dejec,ediy
was Duncan!
one Of Duncan's arms swung oddly
Mt his side, and Sheila thought In
stantly Of his curse when he had beer
riding near her at the river crossing
Evidently Aliens bullet had struck
| him.
4
was now unnecessary. for 1t was owl
dent that an understanding had been
| reached with Allen. and Sheila OK.
perienced a sudden aversion TO ap'
|. pearing among the mon.
; Turning her pony, she was about
! to ride away. intending to return u
Doubler's cabin, when Allen turned
, and saw her. He spurred quickly
: TO her aide, seising the pony by tn
a Birdie rein. and leading It TOWARD
g the cabin door. -.
. ats all right. ma'am." he said. ="
got him. Holy smoKe!" he exclaimed
}. light. "You certainly rode some
4 She did not answer. She saw hel
|. father look at her. noted his start
smiled scornfully whom she observed
a paleness overspreading his face
: She looked from him to Duncan an,
the latter flushed and turned hi
head. Then Aliens voice reached
: her, az he spoke to Dakota.
I 'sThis young woman has rod
. twenty miles to-night-to save you
hide-you burned cuss. u you wa
anyways hospitable, you'd
Aliens voice seemed 10 erow u, a'
tant 20 shcila. the figure. OF tn
men in the group blurred, tho ligh
danced. she reeled In tho saddle
\ tried to check herself. failed, AM
= toppled Imply forward ovor tn
pony's neck.
She heard an exclamation, saw Da
kata spring suddenly from the door
way. felt his arms around her. Sh
n struggled in his grasp, trying TO ngn
him on, and then she driftsd Int
oblivion. ------