Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-10-19
The PAINTED HILLS

THE PAINTED HILLS
sYNorsis-Ths Of Hearts is the "aea.s-sisn~ EN-.
ploysd BY Seneca Irne in he Privats war 81 VsnsSnes
q Violent passions ike Ris own he wages Alan
Tor n. Incident %SieS Tsnssrsd Tns helpless cripple
respects precise opposite judith father
10 compass Aans death but under dramatic ereumssness
after Judith BY turns animated BY the old hatred the
detail.
Across the plain purple shadows we're sweeping
eloseranked, like some vast dark army invading
the land pouring the rampant Of noun
tans IN the east
Within the rim Of hills that ringed the plain like
the clipped and broken fange Of titanic saucer
silence brooded and solitude held sway-dwarfng
the town OF Detail that occupied the approximate
middle Of the sagebrush waste. to proportions even
less significant than might be inferred from the
candor OF It's christening
platform, a siding, a water tank, Wes-Fargo
ONCE and telegraph and ticket ONCE, backed by
three rough frame buildings that is Detail item
lied completely.
Shortly after nightfall freight train paused at
Detail. It's crew alighted and engaged in animated
argument Detail gathered that the excitement
was due to the unaccountabe disappearance OF
the caboose: none seemed to have any notion as
10 how It could have broken loose; yet missing It
conspicuously was.
In the pause that followed. while report was
telegraphed to headquarters and instructions
men sped a boyish figure lurking in the open door
OF an empty box car Cunningy boarding this car
from the opposite SIDE the trainman caught the
skulker unawares and booted him vangloriously
into the night
AS the figure alighted and took to its heels los
ing itself in the darkness It uttered cry of panied
surprise and protest which drew a wrinkle Of as
constituent between the brows OF the tranman.
Sounded like womans voice. he unused; then
dismissed the suggestion obviously absurd
II was not.
shortly after the freight train had gone on its
way-before, indeed, the glimmer OF its lights
had been lost among the western hills-a second
headlight appeared in the east, swept swiftly
the plain and in turn stopped at Detail.
The aecond bird-ofpassage proved to be a loco
motive drawing a single cara Pullman.
Hardly had IT past the switch, however. when
the brakeman dropped down, quickly back to
the switch threw II open and dropped the Pullman
on a siding.
By the time that the Pullman had come to full
stor on the siding. the locomotive swinging
westward like scared iackrabbit-though no such
nilb-and.watery characterization OF the traitor
passed the lips OF any one OF three men who pres.
emily appeared on the Pulmans platform and
shook impotent fists IN the direction taken by the
fugitive engine.
When the last Of these had run temporarily out
of breath and blasphemy brief silence fell, pune
tuated by groans from EACH and concluded by the
sound OF a voice calling from the interior Of the
cara voice strangely sonorous Of tone as It
The three men Immediately ran back into the
car and presented themselves with countenances
variously apologize, 30 one who occupied corner
Of the drawing room; man wrapped in steamer
rug and a cloud OF fury.
Nov when he had drained the muddy froth OF
profanity from his temper It left clear and ef
fervescent we'll Of virulent humor: the wrath of
the valetudinarian began to vent itself upon the
hapless heads of the trio who stood before him.
Now while this was in process, the person OF boy
tuh. uho hqd eiv
Aloof and inconspicuous in the background Of De-
tail since that unhappy affair with the train
man, stole quietly up to the rear Of the stalled
Pullman, climbed aboard, and creeping down the
aisle unceremoniously interrupted the conference
Just as the invalid polishing on rude but
honest opinion Of the intellectual caliber Of one OF
the three named Marrophat.
fAmen TO thatl"the boyish person calculated
with candid fervor. lounging gracelessiy in the
doorway There's many a true word spoken in
wrath. Mr.. Marrophat. Father forgot only one
thing-your mastery way with a revolver. From
what I've of that. this day. I'll go bail that the
only safe place for man you pull gun on is
right in front OF the muzzle. There's something
downright uncanny in the way you can hit any
thing but what you aim att"
Judith" exclaimed the invalid. Where did you
drop FROM"
From that freight" Judith explained carelessy,
neglecting to elueidate the exact fashion Of her
drop. Il judged you'd be along presently and
thought I'd like to learn the news Well-what
luck?"
Her father shrugged with his one movable shout
der. Mr. Marrophat grunted Indignantly.
"None?" Judith interpreted. "You don't mean to
tell me that after had taken all that trouble
cast the caboose loose in the middle of that treste
at the risk Of my lifeyou didn't have the nerve to
go through with the busnessl"
I'VE went through with 1t all right" replied Mar
rophat defensively, but usual, they we're too
quick for us. They jumped out and dropped of
the trestle before our engine hit the caboose"
The girl started to speak, but merely dropped
limp hands at her sides and rolled her eyes help
lessly.
we do our best" observed Marrophat. I'VE
amt be blamed il something somehow-always
happens 10 tip the others on"
The girl swung to face him with blazing eyes
Just what does that mean?" she demanded in a
dangerous voice
MsrTophat lifted his shoulders. Nothing