Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-04-02

stopped at the critical instant by news
| of the capture of the guilty man, and
Roger had been set free, but his stern
attitude toward his accusers had told
them that he had not forgotten the in
suit and injury their unjust accusa-
| tons had brought upon him
James Barton had made handsome
| apology for the injustice. and in more
| ways than one had he been of service
| to the young rancher, but quite un-
| known to Roger, for it is probable that
| that stern young man might have re-
fused the aid that came from un-
known sources. Then Barton's contr-
ton had an added bitterness, for Rog-
! er had fallen promptly in love with
| Nancy, and there might have been e
romance there on the Texas plain had
not the unfortunate affair come up to
| blight it in the bud.
| Now, this very evening Barton had
discovered something in Nancy's tone
| that betrayed her secret. She loved
Roger after all. That was what had
worn upon her during the past year,
| although she had maintained her cheer
| full demeanor. He swore softly under
his breath as he thought of how he
had failed after all to make his moth
erless daughter entirely happy, and
that was all he lived for.
So james Barton waited for the en-
envy to come and burn his home, IL
! they could, but his thoughts travelled
side by side with the gallant young
form speeding through the night sur
rounded by unseen dangers.
-
| The lower trail led away from the
chestnut grove and it's concealed plot
! tiers. The trail skirted the foot of
J hill and then followed the dry bed of
/ Cinder creek, plunged through the
narrow confines of Cinder canyon and
| emerged on Roger Dare's north range.
| Nancy Barton, leaning low in the
! saddle, rode the miles unf1inchingly.
Her pride must suffer in going to Rog-
| er Dare for help. But what mattered?
! She thought of her brave. gray haired
father standing off the crowd of des-
peradoes single handed, and she spur
red Judy to greater effort.
The stones ratified in the dry bed of
| the creek. and then the dark plunge
through the little canyon was accom-
! plished with heaven only knows what
hairbreadth escapes from death or dis
aster, and then Judy's feet pounded
over the grass of Roger Dare's land.
/ A dog barked in the distance, a
light fared in a window. other lights
sprang out around the house, and
| when Nancy arrived on the almost
winded mare she was at once sur
rounded by circle of excited men,
with Roger Dare in their midst.
What has happened?" asked Roger,
his hand on Judy's neck.
In a few broken words Nancy told
him. and then. reeling ia the saddle,
she murmured:
/ I'm not going to faint 1 never
faiEted in my life And she straight
way proceeded to drop into Rogers
outstretched arms.
.'She has tainted away said Roger
as he laid her on sofa in the sitting
room. Eliza" turning to his grim
featured housekeeper. there is trouble
at the Barton ranch. and l must go,
but watch over Nancy. You will know
what to do, and guard her as you
would your own child. Ben and Gal
lagher will remain with YOU
With last glance at the sweet, pale
face on the pillow. Roger turned and
rushed out into the yard, where his
men We're piling on to their horses.
In a moment twenty of them We're fly
ing toward Cinder canyon. and the dis
gruntled Gallagher and his companion
We're left behind.
Long afterward old Hepsy tried to
describe the battle of Bartons ranch.
but words were inadequate
.'Lawsy. chile" she told her listener,
II jest wish you could hev been dere
and seen how Marse Barton pinged
dem snakes wild his gun, and right in
de midst of it dere was rarin' shout
from de lower gate, and l declar' il
Marse Roger Dare and his men didn't
come skyhootin' erlong. and-well, de
war ended right off! Marse Roger and
de rest of 'em jes driv dat Singsong
Pete and de odder snakes clean off de
place, and | heahs dey Went ovah de
bo'der inter Mexico and a good place
for EN-. too, wild de greasers. Oh,
huh. Marse Roger am sire a brave
man. but he amt no Drawer den Marse
Barton-no, sub"
Roger Dare. coming back from that
wild chase over the border in pursuit
of Singsong Pete and his band, rode
into the Barton yard and met Barton's
hearty hand clasp with one equally
warm No one heard the few words
they uttered as they stood there side
by side, but that very instant the feud
between them died.
There was a light patter of hoofs at
the gate, and Nancy came riding in on
Judy. The girl. her face now pale and
rosy, slipped from the saddle and
looked from her father to Roger Dare.
II am so glad you are safe
| father" she SOhhed clinpjnp tn Ran