The Meeker herald., 1914-12-05
SINGSONG
PETE
He Proves . Blessing
In Disguise
by cLARlssA MAcxls

by CLARISSA NACAin +
+s-ii-ss-ii-is-++s-ss-s-ssa-ss-i-ss-i-s-s-i-;i-,+
The lower rim Of the sun rested 90
the edge Of the horizon. q huge or
anre ball against the background Of
copper red sky.
Nancy Barton watched 1t slowly sink
below the dat Texas plain until all At
once It was gone and the weird twt-
light was about her.
With q little sigh she turned her
horse to the low hills that bounded
the northeast. Her black Judy skim
med over the ground with velvet feet,
and the passage Of the graceful girl
and the beautiful animal were almost
ike shadows neeing before the light
western breeze. p-
Then AZ they passed into the deep
gloom of walnut grove Nancy heard
rough voices in discussion. For . mo-
ment her heart thrilled with terror.
for the Barton ranch was very near
the Mexican border. and In these un-
certain days there was growing
spirit Of lawlessness among the rough
characters that invested the neighbor-
hood.
The voices came from little hollow
on the left Of the trail. and Nancy was
glad of the protection afforded BY the
great trees that surrounded her.
She pulled Judy to 4 standstili and
listened sharply.
Five minutes afterward she had
emerged from >he grove and was tear
ing down the trail toward home.
Her appearance in the yard brought
her father Into the porch and tho cook
into the doorway Of the bunk house.
THAT you, Nanr' cried her father
rslievedly. I've been wild about you
for the last hour. l know You can
take care Of yourself. but remember
what told you about staying out
after dark. Why. what Ii It childi
You are trembling" Mr.. Barton lifted
the girl from the saddle. and she sank
Imply on to the steps.
"You NO sDee men. Miss NancyT
shrilled Hep Loo across the yard. He
waved spoon toward his waiting sup
per table In the bunk house.
"They viii come later. Hep Loo"
said Nancy family. and - the China
man returned mutterins to his kitchen
che said to her father: Dad. what
shall ws do? came home through
| the grove. and overheard our men
boev plotting to burn the ranch and
run Tie cattle acroes the bosdef.r
"You are sure. daughterr' demanded
Barton sharply. for hs had trusted his
cowboys to 4 man.
.Yes. heard all their voices Sing.
song Pete seemed to be the leader. 1t
II planned for tonight"
~ wonder II they are coming back to
supper unused Barton.
"No. They planned the raid. and
after 1t ID accomplished they are to
rush in and appear to rescue me. Oh,
dad. they said they would finish you.
and you know what that means
and''- Nancy's voice broke little. and
her father knew that when his brave
daughters courage wavered there was
danger indeed. and he guessed that she
had not told him all she had over
heard.
1--WE need help. How shall We get
itY' he muttered.
LET me 60. father. I am safer rid
ing than am here" she shuddered.
''Where will you 60. child? You
could never ride to Fenby's in time.
and
"I will 10 and get Roger Dare" said
Nancy.
Mr. Barton started.
"Roger Dare?" he repeated. .He
would never come after the way l
treated him. can't expect II. No
man with red blood In him would do
It."
Roger would do it. dad" said Nancy
quietly. 'Just because be has got red
blood in bis veins would be forgive
an injury and help. He's q manr'
Barton stared down at the girl.
Nancy. beIieve-l believe you
~ Nan lifted her gioved hand.
dad. you can believe almost any
thing Of foolish girl" she whispered.
''Givs me a cup Of tea and let me 60.
They are towards. and they will not
shoot me II run across the gang. but
! will 60 the lower trail II It will lessen
your anxiety. You and Hep Loo re-
main in the house and protect the
place" Nancy arose and ran into the
house. where Aunt Hepsy. the stout
negress. was waiting impatiently to
perve supper.
Nancy drank q cup Of tea and ate q
few mouthfuls Of food: then. with a
last close embrace from her father
who had protested even while he saw
that her pistols were loaded and that
Judy was ready at the door. she swung
into the saddle and vanished into the
night.
Then James Barton worked swiftly
Within an hour the house was closely
shuttered and loaded weapons placed
| - ~fIk