The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-30

He cauehS sheila's nod and auss-
toned coldlyA sol
who burned ~"
"My-Mr. Langford," returned Shell
You found It and showed II to him.
and he burned IT," said Dakota, slow
ly. "Why7"
Don't you SCOT" sheila's eyes
Knocked Langford as she intercepted
his gaze, which had been ixed on
Dakota. ut was evidence against
him." she concluded. indicating her
IT reckon I see." Tho smile was
entirely gone out Of Dakota's face
now. and as he turned to look q
Langford there was an expression In
ms eyes which Chilled The latter. -
you've hunked ON the agreement.
You've burned it-won't recognize 1t,
oh? We'll. I'm not any surprised"
Langford. had partially recovered
from the shock oecaSioned by Dako-
ta's unexpected APPEARANCE. and he
shook his head in emphatic, braxen
denial.
"Therc was no agreement between
US. my friend" he said. Tho paper
/ burned was a forgery"
me your friend once before. Lang
ford" he said colby. Don't do II
again or I'll forget that you are
Sheila's father. ! reckon she has told
you about Doubler. That's why I
came over here to get the paper, for
/ knew that II you got hold OF It
you'd mako short work Of II. ! know
something else" He took q step for
ward and tried to hold Langford's
gaze. his own eyes alled with q snap
ping menace. ~ know that you've
sent Duncan to Lazette for the Sherfif.
The doctor told me he'd met him
Duncan--and the doctor says Duncan
told him that you'd said that ! hxed
Doubler. How do you know didT
Duncan saw you" said Langford.
Dakota's lips curled. Duncan tell
you that?" he questioned.
At Langford's nod he laughed
harshly. 80 It's plant, eh?" he
said. with a mirthless chuckle. you
are figuring to get two birds with one
stOne-Doubler and me. You've al
ready got Doubler, or think you have.
and now it's my turn. 1t does look
pretty bad for me, for Q fact. doesn't
TT You've burned the agreement you
made with mo. 80 that you could slip
out Of your obligation. / reckon you
think that after tho Sheriff gets me
you'll be able to take tho Star with
out any trouble--llke you expect to
TAX, Doubler's land.
you've got Duncan TO swear that
ne saw me do for Doubler, and you've
got your daughter to testify that she
saw me on the trail. coming from
Doubler's cabin right after she heard
the shooting. It was q right clever
scheme. but II was my fault for let
ting you got anything on mo- ought
to have. known that you'd try some
dogs trick or other"
His voice was coming rapidly. sharp
ly, and was burdened with a flashing
sarcasm. Eyes, it's a right clever
scheme. Mister Langford. and IL ought
to be successful. But there's one thing
you've forgot I've lived too long In
this country to let any one tangle me
up like you'd like to have me. When
q man gets double crossed in this
country. he can't go to the law for
redress-he makes his own laws. I'm
making mine. You've double crossed
mo, and. damn your hide, I'm coins
TO send you over the divide In
hurry!" 81
One Of his heavy revolvers leaped
from It's holster and showed for an
instant in his right hand. Sheila had
been watching closely. forewarned by
Dakota's manner, and when she saw
his right hapd drop to the holster she
sprang upon him. catching the weapon
by the muzzle.
Langford had covered his face with
his hands. and stood beside tho desk
trembling, and Sheila cried aloud IL
protest when she saw Dakota draw
the weapon that swung at his othei
hip. holding her of with the hand
which she had seized. But whom Da'
kota saw Langford's hands 90 to his
face no hesitated. smiling scornfully
He turned 10 Sheiia. looking down al
her face close to his. his smile soft.
ening
II forgot" he said gently; 4 for.
got he IL your father"
ut isn't that" she said. HE lsn't
my father, any more. But" sh<
looked ct Dakota plasdinsiy-'plsass