The evening world., 1914-01-31

needed now more than ever. Then.
hurrying as best she could with the
weight Of the pail, she returned to the
cabin.
She was relieved to md that
Doubler had received no injury and
she paused long enough to allow him
to tell her that Duncan had entered
the cabin shortly after she had left 1t.
He had attacked Doubler. but had
been interrupted by Allen. who had
suddenly ridden up. Duncan had
heard him coming and had concealed
himself behind the door. and when
Alien had entered Duncan had struck
him ON the head with tho butt Of his
six-shooter. knocking him down.
The blow had been . slancing one.
however. and Allen had recovered
quickly. SELLING Doubler's rife and
trying to bring down the would-be
murderer as he ned.
While attending to Doubler's ban
dages sheila repeated tho CONVERSE
ton she had had with Allen concern
ing the situation in which he had left
Dakota. and instantly the nesters
anxiety for his friend took prece-
dence over any thoughts for bis own
Immediate welfare.
"Therell be trouble sure. now that
Aliens left there" he said. Dakota
won't be heap easy with them depu-
ties"
He told Sheila to let the bandaging
20 until later. but she refused.
"DakotaW be needin' you . heap
more than need you." he insisted.
refusing to allow her to touch the
bandages. "There'll be the devil to
pay II any of them deputies try to
rush Dakota's shack. / want you to
60 down there right now. II you
wait it'Il mebbe be too late"
Sheila hesitated for a moment and
then, yielding to the entreaty In
Doubler's eyes. she was at his side,
pressing his hand.
Ride, ma ami" he told her. whom
she was ready to go, his cheeks
flushed with excitement. his eyes
bright.
Her pony smorted with surprise
when she brought her riding whip
down against Its tanks when turn
ing from the corral gates. but II
needed no second urging. and It's pace
when II splashed through the shallow
water OF tho crossing was fully a.
great AZ that Of Duncan's pony, which
had previously passed through 1t.
once on the hard sand OF tho river
trail II settled into Il long, swingint
| gallon, under which the miles flew by
rapidly and steadily. Sheila drew the
animal up on tho rises, breathing II
/ sometimes. but on the levels she
v urged 1t with whip and spur. and In
/, something more than an hour after
/, leaving Doubler's cabin. she fiashe
by the quicksand crossing, which she
a estimated as being not more thar
7 twelve miles from her journeys end,
. She was tired after her long vigi
n at Doubler's side. but the WEAKNESS
1 was entirely physical. for her braiT
4 was working rapidly, filling he'
5 thoughts with picturesque conJec
! lures. drawing pictures In which sh'
!. saw Dakota being shot down by Al
! lens deputies. And he was innocent
'' She did hot blame herself for Dako
ta's dilemma, though she felt keel
regret over her treatment of him
over her unjust suspicious. He ha'
really Deer In earnest when he ha
y told her the night before Oh tho rive
: trail that he was not guilty-tha
= everybody had misjudged him. Vivi
In her recollection was the curiou
: expression on his face when he sal
r to her Just before leaving her tina
- night:
!. won't you believe me?"
% And that other time, whom ne ha
d taken her by the shoulders and locke
% steadily into her eyos-SAo sDunAua