The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-29

u
In this country" he added. Because
I put Blanca away they think l am
q professional gunman. But want
you"--he placed . significant en-
phasis on the word-''to understand
that there wasn't any other way to
deal with Blanca. BY coming back
here after selling me that stolen Star
stock and refusing TO admit the deed
In the presence Of other people--even
denying 1t and accusing me-he
forced me to take the step did with
him. Even then. gave him hts
chance. That he didn't take II isn't
IL suppose look pretty black to
you, because treated you like ] did.
But It was partly your fault. too.
Maybe that's mysterious to you, but
Il will have to stay a mystery. I had
an idea In my head that highland
something else. I've found something
out since that makes me feel q lot
sorry. II had known what j know
now. that wouldn't have happened to
you've got my eyes open now"
Their ponies were very close to-
placed both hands on her shoulders
and gazed into her eyes, his own Hash
Ing with Q strange light. She did not
try to escape his hands, for she felt
that his sincerity warranted the ac-
ton.
ave treated you mean. sheila," he
said; about Is mean as man could
treat a woman. ] am sorry. ! want
you to believe that. And maybe some
day-when this business 10 over--you1l
understand and forgive me-"
'"rhis business?' Sheila drew back
and looked at him wondertngiy. what
do you meanT"
There was no mirth In his laugh as
no dropped his hands to his sides. Her
question had brought about q return
of that hooking reserve which she
could not penetrate. Apparently he
would let her no farther into the
mystery whose existence his words
had betrayed. He had allowed her
TO get a glimpse OF his inner self; had
shown her that he was not the des-
picable creature she had Thought him !;
had apparently been about to take
her into his confidence. And she had
felt a growing sympathy for him and
had been prepared to meet him half
way In an effort to settle their dif-
ferences, but she saw that the oppor-
tunity was gone-was hidden under
the cloak Of n ystery which had been
about him from the beginning OF their
acquaintance.
This DOuDIer DuGneSo. NO an
swered, and she nibbled impatiently at
her lips. knowing that he had meant
.That's evasion" she said. looking
straight at him. hoping that he would
reient and speak.
us IT." In his unwavering eyes
she saw a CLINT OF grim humor
swell, that's the answer. ] am not
going to Kill Doubler-if It will do you
any good to know. ! don't kill my
friends"
'Then," she said eagerly, catching
at the hope which he held out to her,
You didn't talk to father about that?''
His lips curied. why don't you
ask your father abos1kthat7'
The hope died within her. nakota's
words and manner implied that her
father had tried to employ him to
make way with the hester, but that ne
had refused. She had not been wrong
Duncan had not been wrong IN MS
suspicion that her father was plan
ming the death OF the Eester. Dun
cans only mistake was In including
She had hoped Against hope mat
she might discover that Duncan had
been wrong altogether: that she had
done her father an injury in believ-
ing him capable OF deliberately plan
ming q murder. She looked again ut
Dakota. There was no mistaking his
earnestness. she thought, for there
was no evidence of deceit or knavery
in his face. nor In the eyes that were
steadily watching her.
She put her hands to her face and
shivered. now thoroughly convinced
OF her fathers guilt feeling sud
den repugnance for him. for every
body and everything In tho country,
excepting Doubler.
She had done all she could. how
ever, to prevent them killing Doubler
ALI she could do except to warn
Douhier Of his danger. and she would
go to him Immediately. Without
looking again at Dakota she turned.
dry-eyed and pale, urging her pony
up the trail toward the nester's cabin,
saddle, watching her.
She fingered on the trail, riding
slowly. hating when she came to a
spot which offered . particularly
rood view Of the country surrounding
her, for in spite Of her lonesomeness
she could not help approaching the
beauty of the land, With IT. towering
mountains. Its blue sky. Its vast.
yawning distances. and the peaceful.
u0ob WHICH Beculeu " Oo cNStyWhc'o
except in her heart.
She presently reached the Two
Forks and urged her pony through
the shallow water OF Its crossing. rid
ing up the slight intervening slope
and upon a stretch Of plain beside q
timber grove. A little later she came
to the corral gates, whore she dis
mounted and hitched her pony to a
, rail, smiling to herself az she thought
Of how surprised Doubier would be
to see her.
Then she left the corral gate and
stole softly around o corner OF the
cabin, determined to steal upon
Doubler unawares. Once at the cor
ner she halted and peered around,
She saw Doubler lying In the open
doorway. his body twisted into pc
culiarly odd position, face down. his
arms outstretchsd. his legs doubled
; under him.
CHAPTER X.