Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-03-11
SINGSONG
PETE
He Proves a Blessing
In Disguise
By CLARISSA MACKIE

The lower rim of the sun rested on
the edge of the horizon, huge or
ange ball against the background of
copper red sky.
Nancy Barton watched it slowly sink
below the fiat Texas plain until all at
once 1t was gone and the weird twi
light was about her.
With a little sigh she turned her
horse to the low hills that bounded
the northeast. Her black Judy skim
med over the ground with velvet feet,
and the passage of the graceful girl
and the beautiful animal were almost
western breeze.
Then as they passed into the deep
gloom of a walnut grove Nancy heard
rough voices in discussion. For a mo-
.ment her heart thrilled with terror,
for the Barton ranch was very near
the Mexican border, and in these un-
certain days there was a growing
spirit of lawlessness among the rough
characters that invested the neighbor,
hood.
The voices came from a little hollow
on the left of the trail, and Nancy was
glad of the protection afforded by the
great trees that surrounded her.
She pulled Judy to a standstill and
listened sharply.
Five minutes afterward she had
emerged from the grove and was tear
ing down the trail toward home.
Her appearance in the yard brought
her father into the porch and the cook
into the doorway of the bunk house.
''That you, Mani" cried her father
relievedly. "Pve been wild about you
for the last hour. l know you can
take care of yourself, but remember
what I told you about staying out
after dark. Why, what is it, child:
You are trembling" Mr.. Barton lifted
the girl from the saddle, and she sank
Imply on to the steps.
you no see men, Miss Nancy"
shrilled Hep Loo across the yard. He
waved spoon toward his waiting sup
per table in the bunk house.
"They will come later, Hep Loo"
said Nancy family, and as the China
man returned muttering to his kitchen
she said to her father: Dad, what
shall we do? I came home through
the grove, and l overheard our men
here plotting to burn the ranch and
run the cattle across the border"
"You are sure, daughter? demanded
Barton sharply, for he had trusted his
cowboys to a man.
eyes. heard all their voices. Sing
song Pete seemed to be the leader. 1t
is planned for tonight"
81 wonder if they are coming back to
supper" unused Barton.
mo. They planned the raid, and
after it is accomplished they are to
rush in and appear to rescue me. Oh,
dad, they said they would finish you,
and you know what that means
and Nancy's voice broke little and
her father knew that when his brave
daughters courage wavered there was
danger indeed, and he guessed that she
had not told him all she had over
heard.
1--WE need help. How shall we get
it?" he muttered.
LET me go. father. l am safer rid
fng than 1 am here" she shuddered.
Where will you go, child? You
could never ride to Fenby's in time
and
81 will go and get Roger Dare" said
Nancy.
Mr.. Barton started.
"Roger Dare?" he repeated. "He
would never come after the way l
treated him. l can't expect it. No
man with red blood in him would do
it."
Roger would do it, dad" said Nancy
quietly. "Just because he has got red
blood in his veins would he forgive
an injury and help. He's a many'
Barton stared down at the girl.
Nancy. l believe-I believe you
really did care He stopped short
as Nan lifted her gloyed hand
dad, you can believe almost any
thing Of foolish girl" she whispered.
"Give me cup of tea and let me go.
They are towards, and they will not
shoot me if run across the gang, but
L will go the lower trail if it will lessen
your anxiety. You and Hep Loo re-
main in the house and protect the
place" Nancy arose and ran into the
house, where Aunt Hepsy, the stout
negress, was waiting impatiently TO
serve supper.
Nancy drank cup of tea and ate a
few mouthfuls of food; then, with a
last close embrace from her father,
who had protested even while he saw
that her pistols were loaded and that
Judy was ready at the door, she swung
into the saddle and vanished into the
night
Then James Barton worked swiftly.
Within an hour the house was closely
shattered and loaded weapons placed
at all the upper windows.
Silence fell over the ranch. Hepsy
numbered uneasily about her room,
while Barton, kneeling in an upper
window, watched the entrances by
sah ,~lx& 10