The evening world., 1914-01-26

fcnSsured now that the Stf1ugs Bov0
IUumise Of being none OF the oiro
figures Of her imasination: Il am ioN
merely. You see. am LOOKING ZOE
tho Double r ranch"
Double r."
There ensued short sler1se and s1'c
could not see his face for he hlu
bowed his head . little and the orosu
trimmed hat interviewed
do you know where the Double u
ranch is?" There was . slight imp"-
tionce in her voice.
sure" came hts voice. ITS UP tho
crlck q ways"
"TIow far?"
I,eartening. Twenty miles! And mo
Iain was coming stea0iy down. .no
could feel It soaking through her CLOTH
ting. A bitter, unreasoning anGor
ngainst nature, against the circum.
stances which had conspired to place
her in this position: against the man
for his apparent lack Of interest In her
welfare, moved her, though she might
have left the man out OF 1t. Tor GER
tainly ne could not be held responsible.
Yet his nonchalance, his serenity
wou,ething about him-irritated het:
Didn't ne know she was getting wet
Why didn't he offer her shelter! IL
did not occur to her that perhaps no
knew of no shelter. But while ner IN
dignation over his inaction grew she
saw that ne was doing something
fumbiing at q bundle that seemed to be
strapped to the cantle Of his saddle.
And then he leaned forward-very
close 10 her-and she saw that ne was
offering her q tarpaulin.
"Wrap yourself In this" he directed.
"It amt pretty, Of course. but It'll
keen you from getting drenched. Rain
amt no respecter Of persons.
She detected . compliment In TINS
hut ignored II and placed the tarpauiin
around her shoulders. Then II s0o-
denly occurred TO her that ne waa
''Thank you," she said, but I cant
take this. You haven't anything fol
yourself"
A careless laugh reached her
THAT'S all right; don't need any
thing"
"What are you figuring 70 DO now
What was she going to do? TIT
prospect Of a twenty-mtle ride through
a strange country In = drenching rait
was far from appealing TO Der. He'
hesitation was eloquent.
II do not know" she answered, n'
way of escape from the dilemma pre-
senting itself
"You can go on. OF COURSE" he seid
"and get lost, or hurt-or killed. III
n badNkrail Or"--he continued. hest
tatinE a little and appearing to spent
with an eifort-"there's my shack. Yo'
. can have that"
Then he did have a dwelling place
This voluntary information removes
another Of the fearsome doubts tina
had bsset her. She had been afrai'
that he might prove to be an irrespon
, a house It gave TO his character Ger
: tain recommendation, 1t suggesto
. stability; more, II indicated honesty
\ OF course she would have to accep
! the shelter of his shack" There wa
! no help for 1t. for II was impossible
, for her to entertain the idea OF ridin
/ twenty miles over an unknown trai
! through rain and darkness. Moreover
1 ahe was not afraid OF the strange
now, for in spite OF his easy. seren
movements, his quiet composure. hi
!, suppressed amusement, Shoila detect
|, ed q note In his voice which told he
= that he was deeply concerned owe
: her welfare-even though he SCENE
:, TO be enjoying her. In any event Sh
; could not 60 forward. for the unknow
= terrified her and she felt that In az
cepting the proffered shelter OF HI
4, shack" she was choosing the Jesse
!. Of two dangers. She decided quickly.
II shall accept think. Will yo
please hurry? l am getting wot
:, spite Of this--thls covering"
Wheeling without a word he Pre-
ceeded down the trail. following II
!: river. Tho darkness hal abate
u somewhat. the low-hangtng CLOUD
had taken on q sraytsh. white nv
4 anA the rain was coming down
: tsgrsaSa sAsna psiasA ~ tAkSaus