The evening world., 1914-01-28

Sheila did not see much Of
Duncan. ana her father
bothered her very little.
Several nights on the gal
lery Of the ranohhouse she
had seen the two men sitting very
close together. and on one or two oc-
casions she had overheard scraps Of
them In which Doublsr's name was
mentioned.
She remembered Doubler a. one Of
the nesters whom Duncan had men.
toned that day on the butte overlook
Ing the river, and though her father
and Duncan had q perfect right to
discuss him. Il seemed to Sheila that
there had been . serious note in their
voices whom they had mentioned his
name.
She had become acquainted With
Doubler. Since disseminating her
rides with her father and Duncan she
had eone out every day alone.
The first time that she crossed the
river at the Two Forks she had come
upon q small adobe cabin situated .
few hundred yards back from the
waters edge.
Sheiia would have fed from the
vicinity, for there was still fresh In
her mind recollection OF another
cabin in which she had once passed
many fearsome hours. but while she
Doubler came to the door. and whom
she saw that he was an old man with
q kindly face, much Of her perturoa-
ton vanished and she remained to
talk.
Doubler was hospitable and solici.
tous and supplied her with some soda
biscuit and fresh beef and lineup
full Of delicious coffee. She refused
to enter the cabin. and % he brought
the food out to her. and sat on the
step beside her while she ate. bstray.
Ing much interest In her.
Doubler asked no questions regard.
ing her identity, and sheiia marvslled
much over this. But when she pre-.
pared to depart she understood why
he had betrayed no curiosity concern
ing her.
-..;I o. reckon &c on, you're that L.nsf0rd
"Yos," returned sheiia, wondering.
~ am Hheila Langford. But who told
you! I was not aware that anyone one
around here knew me-exceps the
people at the Double H."
dakota told me-"
.Oh!' A chill oams into her voice
which instantly attracted Douhlsr's
attention. He looked at her with An
odd smile
r"You know Dakotar
II have met him."
"You don't like him. ] rsokonr
no."
"Wel. now commented Doubler.
II reckon I've got things mixed. But
from Dakota's talk ! took II that you
an him was pretty thick"
what has hs been saytngT shs de-
manded coldly.
which any man wouldn't say about
you, once hs'd seen you an talked
some TO YOU" Doubler surveyed her
With sparkling, appreciativs Dyes.
YAs = rule Il don't pay to 70 70 Cos
Spin' with any ons-lsast Of al With Q
woman. hut I reckon can ten you
what he aid ma'am. without you Tet:.
TIM awful mad. He didn't say noeniu'
except that he'd taken an awfui smne
to you. An he'd likely make tn,ngs
that ia told you that"
"0hinef" There was . world Of
soornful wonder In ehsalA's voice:
Would you mind telling me WHAT
taking q shine 70 any one meAnsr
"Why, no. I reckon ! don't mind,
ma'am, ssein' that its you. ekn' 9
ohine' 70 you means that he's soms
stuck on you-liks. you, ssss y;
An I reckon you can't osa"e nun
sheiiS ala not answer. though . sud.
den nood Of red 70 her faos made the
vse OF mere words entirely unnsoss.
sary % far % Doublsr was concerned
for he smiied wisely. She had re-
turned. however, more than once q
his cabin in the days that Followed
On one such visit Doubisr was down
cast
"Ma'am," he said. and Shsila de-
tected regret In his voice. I'm neal
sorry. but Of course you won't o.
comm here any more" ss.u.
in surprise. II like to come here
But, Of course. II you don't wan
IT amt that" hs interrupte!
quickly. II thought you knowed
but you don't. OF course. or 20,
wouldn't have come Just now. You
dad an. Duncan was over to So M
'f'' didn't know that" rsturns.
sheiia. but I can't SEQ why . visit
from father should"-
Hes wantin' me to pull my frsigh
out Of the country" said Doubler
"An' OF course I Amt dom It. There
fore Tn severin' diplomatic relation
with your family"
II don't sss Why began Shsila
pushed to understand why mer'
visit on her fathers part should hav'
the result Doubler had announced.
"Of course you DON'T" Doubler toll
her. You're q woman an don't un
derstand such things. But In thi
country when a little owner has 20
some land which a big owner wants
an can't buy-there's likely to h,
trouble. I amt proved on my Ian,
yet. an II Your dad can run me Of
he'll DO pretty apt to grab It H,me
how or other. But he amt n, mir
me or an % there's . heap Of " nel