The evening world., 1914-01-28


clusion the emotions OF
fear. hatred and Jealousy would have
to be considered In the light OF their
relative importance.
Yet. at last. q queer smile wreathed
his lips--an ugly smile. The problem
was solved.
During the next few days he did
not see much OF Sheila, for he avoided
the ranch house as much al possible.
He rode out with Langford many
times. and though he covertly Ques-
toned the Double Il owner concern
ing. the affair with Doubler he could
gain no satisfying information. Lang.
ford's reticence further aggravated
the passions which rioted In his heart.
and finally ono afternoon when they
rode up to the ranch house his curl
osity could be held In check no longer
and he put tho blunt question:
What have you done about Doub.
ler?"
Langford's shifting eyes rested for
the fraction OF q second on the face
OF his manager. and then the Old,
bland smile came into his own and he
answered smoothly: Nothing"
II have been thinking" said Dun.
can carelessly. but with o sharp side
glance at his employer. "that It
-
gunman on Doubler-a man like Da-
kota. for instance"
The manager saw Landlords lips
straighten Q little and his eyes
flashed with Q sudden fire. Tho ex-
precision on Langford's face strength
ened tho conviction already in Dun
cans mind concerning the motive of
his employers visit to Dakota.
Il don't think care to have any
dealings with Dakota" said Langford
shortly.
Duncan's eyes biazed again. II
reckon II you'd 20 talk to him." he
persisted, turning his head 10 that
Langford could not see the sup
he able to make deal with him."
Il don't wish to deal with him.
have decided not to bother Doubles
at present. And ! have no desire Ia
talk with Dakota. Frankly, my dess
Duncan. don't like the man"
You been In the habit. Of forming
opinions Of men you've never talked
tor" said Duncan. He could not keep
the snssr out Of his voics.
Lansford noticed It and laughed
softly.
1T 10 my recollection that . certain
man OF my acquaintance advised me
at length OF Dakota's shortcomings. .
he said significantly. For me to talk
coneider this mans words valusless
viii have nothing TO DO with Dako.
"a. That ID" he added. unless you
have altered your opinion Of HIM"
Duncan did not reply. and he said
nothing more 70 LanGford ON the sub.
ject, but he had discovered that 10,
some reason Langford had chosen e
keep the knowledge Of his visit Il
Dakota secret. and Duncan's sus
picions that tho visit concerned
Doubler became a conviction. Fillet
with resentment over Langford's at
titude toward him. and with his mine
definitely nxed upon tho working on
OF his problem, Duncan decided Il
visit Doubler.
He chose Q day when Langford hat
ridden away to q distant COW camp
and al when he was following thu
Double II owner. he did not ride tn,
beaten trail but kept\ behind ridgei
and in tho depressions. and whom h,
came within sight OF Doubler's cabiI
he halted TO reconnoiter. A swif
survey OF the coral showed him I
rangy. piebald pony. which no know
TO belong to Dakota. A. tho ANNA
had on a bride and a saddle he sur
be Of long duration. and having NJ
desire to visit Doubler in the presence
of his rival. he shunted his own hors
OF the edge Of . sand dune and dow
into the bed OF dry arroyo. Urgtnl
the animal along this. no present.!
reached . sand nat on whose edg
arose . grove Of mr. balsam and cot
ton-wood.
For an hour. deep In the grove. h
watched the cabin. and at length h
saw Dakota como out: saw q smile Of
his face; heard him laugh. His. lip
writhed at the sound and he listene,
intenuy to catch tho conversation
which was carried on between u
- NJ , ~ shi eMs;sssenrsi. Esi.1s